AC not working

Tiny
6GUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,900 MILES
Hello,

The AC on my wife's car is not working. The compressor's clutch is engaged and the compressor runs quiet.
AC gauges indicate the low side is 85 and the high side is 75. Temperature here is 70-80. At first the AC just under cooled, now it doesn't seem to be working at all.
It seems odd the a compressor would go out with only 79,000 miles. Could the compressor control valve be the problem?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

John
Monday, June 3rd, 2019 AT 1:22 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi 6 Gunn,

Take a look at the first attachment. This a standard chart on AC pressures. As you can see when the ambient temp is 70-80 you low side pressure should be about 45 PSI and high side should be about 2 1/2 times ambient temperature.

Clearly your pressures are not correct so this indicates the compressor is not functioning properly.

To answer your question, there is no way to know when any part will fail but on average 79,000 miles is on the low side of when they should be replaced but this is an average. Unfortunately, not all are going to last as long as expected.

If you are going to replace this yourself, just make sure you measure how much oil comes out of the compressor and add that back into the new one. Then you will need to vacuum the system with a pump and ensure there are no leaks and this will pull any moisture out. If you don't do this, the the moisture from opening the system will cause the new compressor to fail due to it rusting.

Let me know if you have any questions and we can go from there. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system
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Monday, June 3rd, 2019 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
6GUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Hi KASEKENNY1,

I do have the equipment to evacuate the system. I drove the car yesterday, and the ac was cooling somewhat. But the temperature was only 66-70.
What is your opinion on replacing the condenser at the same time as the compressor/dryer?

Thanks
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 AT 5:50 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is never a bad idea to replace the condenser and the dryer when you do a compressor especially if you find the compressor has failed. It is always possible that it put some metal into those components and they are not possible to clean. Plus, it is the worst when you charge the system and then the condenser fails 5,000 miles later like it always seems to do and then you are left doing it all over again.

If it were my vehicle I would do the condenser and dryer when I do the compressor.
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
6GUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Okay. Thanks for the very detailed help.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 5:09 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You’re welcome. Thanks for using 2CarPro.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:29 AM

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