Air Conditioning not working properly?

Tiny
RON7654321
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 200,000 MILES
I'm using my friend's car listed above. Two weeks ago, the A/C would not create cold air. When I push the A/C button the green light does not come on. The A/C light comes on when Auto is pushed. It blows hot/warm air on the driver's side and on the passenger's side it is always around 10 degrees below the current air temperature. So, at 90 degrees it's blowing about 80. The gauges show Freon to be normal. I do see the clutch engaging some. Any suggestions?
Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 AT 4:05 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

There are a couple of possibilities. When you say the air temperature is different on the left and right sides, that leads me to think there is an issue with a blend air actuator.

On the other hand, when you say the compressor clutch engaging some, I need to know how much it is engaging.

When you say the gauges show the Freon to be good, can you let me know what both the high and low-pressure readings are and the outside temperature when it was checked? Also, if you could record the compressor clutch's operation and upload it for me to see, I should be able to tell if it is working properly.

In the interim, take a look at this link and let me know if anything helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
RON7654321
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe,

Thanks for your reply. I'm at work and probably won't be able to answer the clutch questions until I get home. I'm near Dallas. I just lowered the windows on the car. Using a laser gun, I got a temperature of 114 degrees on the floorboard and 126 on the dash. I used the gauge that's attached to a freon can and it showed about 38 and I did not have a manifold tester to get a hi side reading. When I turn the engine on the center clutch is not turning but when I turn the ac on it rotates. It does not cycle. This morning the temperature on the passenger center duct with ac on was 81 and the outside air temperature was 92.
Thanks again, Ron
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Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Ron, when you got the reading, of 38 psi, what was the outside temperature? Unless it was cool outside, that sounds low.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
RON7654321
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe,
I don't remember the air temperature other than the fact it was hot! At least 80+
This morning on the way to work at 9:30 the air temperature was 82 according to what was shown on the car instrument panel. Using a laser, the temperature on the passenger side vent was as low as 76 but on the driver side it was 92.
Thanks again,
Ron

P.S. Today's high is 103.
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Thursday, June 29th, 2023 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

If it was 80+ degrees when tested, it sounds like it is low on freon. It should be around 45 to 55 psi.

That is where I would start. Here is a link that explains how to recharge it. Try this and let me know the results.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, June 29th, 2023 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
RON7654321
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello Joe, I started to check/recharge the system this morning, but the hose was short, and it was difficult to assure a good connection to the low port. I did purchase an A/C Pro can with the gauge and it was much easier to use. It's 99 degrees and while the needle was in the green to start, I increased it to 50-52 lbs. Unfortunately, it did not make it cooler. When I first attempted to attach the hose from another can configuration, I may have lost some coolant. I have attached a video showing that you cannot turn on the A/C only button. You have to put it on auto.
Thanks again for your expertise,
Ron
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Friday, June 30th, 2023 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
RON7654321
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Joe,

I should have known that there needs to be air moving through the condenser. When I left work and started moving the passenger side vent became cold. Down to 42 degrees! So, charging the system with Freon made a difference. I still don't know why there isn't cold air on the driver's side.
Thanks for your input on the amount of Freon. The longer hose on the A/C pros and the adapter really made a difference.
Should you have any ideas about the lack of cold air from the driver's side it would be appreciated.
Have a blessed 4th of July! Ron
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Friday, June 30th, 2023 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Do you have dual climate control? In other words, you can control the temps on both sides.

There is an A/C amplifier that controls the air mix motors which in turn control the temperature entering the vehicle. See pics below.

Because this is a difficult call, I would suggest having the can-bus scanned to see if there is a diagnostic trouble code stored in the HVAC module. I suggest this because the amplifier and servo motors are controlled via a wiring bus. It's easy to be wrong and spend money and fix nothing. LOL

Here is a link that explains how to scan the can-bus:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, June 30th, 2023 AT 9:56 PM

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