1993 Toyota Camry A/C dosen't work when hot out

Tiny
JAM_CAMRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,500 MILES
I have a 1993 Camry and the A/C works great all year long except during the hot part of the days during the summer (85degF and above). The A/C works fine for only about the first 5 minutes when I start the car in the middle of the hot days then it just starts blowing warm air. Once recently I turned the A/C off after it started blowing warm air and after about 10-15 minutes of hiway driving I turned it back on and it worked fine. Any idea of the problem/how to fix and where to start looking for the problem? Thanks.
Sunday, June 8th, 2008 AT 8:12 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi jam_camry,

Check if the condenser fan is working well.
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Monday, June 9th, 2008 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
JAM_CAMRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The condenser fan seems to be working fine when the A/C is on and blowing cold air and when the A/C is on and blowing warm air. I also confirmed that the compressor clutch is engaged when the A/C is on but has started blowing warm air. The compressor makes a slight noise (so I can hear it when it is working and A/C is cold) but when it is blowing warm air I see that the clutch is engaged but I hear no sound that the compressor is working. Any thoughts?
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Friday, June 13th, 2008 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi jam_camry,

Since the compressor is working but has some noise, it might be faulty.
Get a pressure test to find out.
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Saturday, June 14th, 2008 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
JAM_CAMRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Does it make sense that the compressor is possibly bad if the A/C always works fine anytime the temp is below approx 85F. It also continues to work fine everyday now for only the first 5 minutes when it is above 85 on my commute home. What could be bad wiith the compressor that would cause this temp related behavior? I was kind of hoping for some sort of a temp switch that would match the condition of the hot temps, the compressor clutch still engaged but the compressor not mechanically cycling. I figured if something were wrong with the compressor it would not continue to work the next day, later in the evening or whenever it gets cooler.

In the mean time, is pressure testing something I can safely do myself if I purchase a pressure gauge?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi jam_camry,

Pressure testing is easy but if any other jobs requuires releasing of gas and other parts would not be easy.

With the pressure reading we would have an idea what could be wrong.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 6:53 AM

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