A/C not as cold when not moving
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puppetz007
New member
I believe this is a normal thing. On both my 4runner and my subaru the AC is colder when moving. There are threads on here cautioning against the use of electric fans.
fun_runner
New member
Its normal to a certain extent. If it stops cooling dramatically then I'd replace your fan clutch because there isnt enough air flow across the condenser to dissipate the heat. Mine was always cold with my mechanical fan. It didnt matter if I was moving or sitting still. I'm running electric fans now and its still ice cold.
JohnsD90
New member
Yeah, that's supposed to do that, imagine how the engine feels with it being blistering hot outside, and now you are stealing power and creating lots of extra heat to cool the passenger, when there is no air flow because you are stuck in traffic and the temp rises more because of all the other cars around. Those big block muscle cars used to overheat from that.
Maritimer
New member
Besides not being as much fun as a 4R in the snow, and not nearly so fun on a logging road, this is another great reason to have a Runner instead of a muscle car. I think having a vehicle like our beast--with enough cargo capacity for a family on vacation--gets me laid more by my wife than if I had a sports car, too. I guess the answer is to get rich and have both, plus buy her a Forrester.
fourwd1
Moderator
A new fan clutch might help if yours was bad, and it really doesn't sound like it is. If it was you'd probably have overheating problems.
What you have is normal, the fan doesn't move as much air at low rpm's.
An e-fan might help, but it may not be worth the $$.
HaYnrunner
New member
if you are seeing a huge temp change when you are driving and then stop, chances are your a/c system should be tested it sounds like you may be a little on the low side of the refridgerant, when you stop the ref. in the system isnt moving as fast/as much as when the engine is reving up
Singtoe
New member
Is this why you didn't take your runner through the pound?
Back to the OP. With your ac on max, look at your sight glass on your receiver drier. If you see bubbles, your low on Freon. Need to top it off.
Nitewulf
New member
Just like anything else, pay attention to the other parts of the equation as well. A over charged a/c can do the same thing. A weak or slipping a/c compressor clutch can also cause this result. There are more components to the a/c than just fan, condensor, and freon. If you dont know what you are doing, seek an a/c repair shop.
A set of guages can tell you many things about an a/c. High/low pressure switches going bad, clogged accumulator, clogged orifice tube, compressor wear, short cycling, just to name a few. Throw parts at it if you want, but my suggestion to you is to only mess with what you have the proper tools to diagnose.
I do my own a/c work, I have the proper tools to do everything in diagnosing and repairing a/c components. Thats why in my 4r, outside was 104*, sitting in traffic on blend it was 51* at the vents. Just a bit of advice from an ASE Certified ex mechanic.
A set of guages can tell you many things about an a/c. High/low pressure switches going bad, clogged accumulator, clogged orifice tube, compressor wear, short cycling, just to name a few. Throw parts at it if you want, but my suggestion to you is to only mess with what you have the proper tools to diagnose.
I do my own a/c work, I have the proper tools to do everything in diagnosing and repairing a/c components. Thats why in my 4r, outside was 104*, sitting in traffic on blend it was 51* at the vents. Just a bit of advice from an ASE Certified ex mechanic.
Singtoe
New member
Great advice. I see your in Garner. Neat. We need to get together and wheel.
I myself am not ASE certified but I play one on the internet. I am just a hobbiest and please take my advice as just that, my opinion.
I do my own A/C work too. That being said, the OP ask for some advice as we all do on the internet, and everybody is giving great advice. If he had a set of gauges, and knew how to use them, he probably wouldn't be asking for advice on the internet. I mentioned the sight glass because it is a tool built into the 4runner, and two; overcharging can also be diagnosed through the sight glass.
If the AC system passes the sight window test then the OP can ask the internet world what would be next.
Anyhow, Come to Clayton if you have a chance, They are building a gas pipe line that is pretty neat to crawl through.
240m3srt
New member
I cleaned the sight glass really well and looked at it closely. I can see the freon moving through but it just looks like cream colored fluid moving around. I cant see any actual bubbles. I suppose im looking for true bubbles like when water boils?
Also when at a stand still and the hood popped i can feel the fan pulling plenty of air through. Im not sure if fan clutches are tempermental or if that even matters, just thought id mention it.
I dont mind taking it to an a/c shop for a proper diagnosis if that would end up with a viable solution. Id just like to know as much as possible before hand so i dont spend money then wind up with them telling me its normal and i have to live with it like that.
edit: I dont know how i forgot to mention this but when in park if i give it gas and bring the rpms up to about 3,000 it gets cold again...i guess thats why i thought maybe an electric fan would help:shrug:
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Singtoe
New member
Sounds like you have some contamination going on. the cream is emulsified oils (may be wrong type of oil added at one time or another).
Don't get cream color confused with thousands of tiny little bubbles though. If it is thousands of little tiny bubbles, you will need more freon.
You should also check to see if you have an overcharge condition. Run the AC at max, have a buddy turn the car off. Once the car is off, looking at the sight glass, you should see the liquid disappear. If it takes longer then 2 seconds, you have an over charge situation.
I have seen AC system work great with creamy freon and I have seen them run badly. If it is not under or overcharged, you will have to take it to a pro and have it checked out.
Don't get cream color confused with thousands of tiny little bubbles though. If it is thousands of little tiny bubbles, you will need more freon.
You should also check to see if you have an overcharge condition. Run the AC at max, have a buddy turn the car off. Once the car is off, looking at the sight glass, you should see the liquid disappear. If it takes longer then 2 seconds, you have an over charge situation.
I have seen AC system work great with creamy freon and I have seen them run badly. If it is not under or overcharged, you will have to take it to a pro and have it checked out.
Nitewulf
New member
Would love to as Clayton is right next door being as I live off White Oak Rd. PM for cell number, faster than random checks on forum. Seems there are more nearby T4R guys than I originally thought.
In lue of having a "pro" set of guages, one of the "quick fix" sets can be used on the low pressure side only !! Just be sure to adjust the temperature dial to AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE(outside). Set a fan in front of the condensor, and diagnose too low a charge or overcharge condition that way.
