A/C question

[rmcdon1]

Hello all. I have recently joined the problem to research an A/C problem that I am having with my 2000 4runner.

Diagnosis:

The air stream is rather weak compared to newer cars, but mostly, the air never cools down. I recently recharged with a diy kit from advanced auto, and after a month, it stopped cooling. I went to see if it needed another recharging, but when I hooked up the kit, It read that the pressure was even higher than when I recharged it previously. I had intially filled to the recommened amount, and just yesterday, my low pressure side read a pressure 50% higher. I'm not sure if this is making any sense, but if someone could point me in the right direction for some basic info on how to fix it diy or just to get some general knowledge before I brought it in to the dealership.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[drmorbius]

Hello all. I have recently joined the problem to research an A/C problem that I am having with my 2000 4runner.

Diagnosis:

The air stream is rather weak compared to newer cars, but mostly, the air never cools down. I recently recharged with a diy kit from advanced auto, and after a month, it stopped cooling. I went to see if it needed another recharging, but when I hooked up the kit, It read that the pressure was even higher than when I recharged it previously. I had intially filled to the recommened amount, and just yesterday, my low pressure side read a pressure 50% higher. I'm not sure if this is making any sense, but if someone could point me in the right direction for some basic info on how to fix it diy or just to get some general knowledge before I brought it in to the dealership.

Thanks for all of your help.

The high pressure is probably keeping the compressor clutch from cutting in ( it's a safety feature). This should be taken to a professional for diagnosis and repair.

 

[rmcdon1]

Thank you drmorbious. I brought it to the dealership this morning, and they put refrigerant with a dye in to check for leaks and told me to come back in a week. They completely evacuated the system and recharged it, and they told me I only had 0.5 lbs of freon left. When I recharged, I did not vacuum the system at all. So hopefully, that might be the root of my problem, but next week I will find out.

BTW my 4runner has about 150k miles and I have no record of A/C maintenance from the previous owner, so I guess this is a first for this SUV.

 

[drmorbius]

Thank you drmorbious. I brought it to the dealership this morning, and they put refrigerant with a dye in to check for leaks and told me to come back in a week. They completely evacuated the system and recharged it, and they told me I only had 0.5 lbs of freon left. When I recharged, I did not vacuum the system at all. So hopefully, that might be the root of my problem, but next week I will find out.

BTW my 4runner has about 150k miles and I have no record of A/C maintenance from the previous owner, so I guess this is a first for this SUV.

Hopefully it's just a leaking valve or something inexpensive. From what I have learned by reading on this forum the T4R's are very sensitive to pressure and will not run if pressure is too high or too low. Anyway good luck!:cheers:

 

[bobbyn5]

Quick question, my dad and i just recharged my 2001 4runner this past weekend, and everything seemed fine as we finished the job. Today, I tried to use the a/c today and the compressor was making all sorts of funny deep noises (never before happened). does this mean i overfilled the system and i'm on the brink of blowing the gaskets?
i think we recharged to like 40lbs but i'll have to ask my dad to make sure. any help would be great.
Thanks
-Bobby

 

[toyota1999]

Quick question, my dad and i just recharged my 2001 4runner this past weekend, and everything seemed fine as we finished the job. Today, I tried to use the a/c today and the compressor was making all sorts of funny deep noises (never before happened). does this mean i overfilled the system and i'm on the brink of blowing the gaskets?
i think we recharged to like 40lbs but i'll have to ask my dad to make sure. any help would be great.
Thanks
-Bobby

Hey Bobby,

1999 t4R, V6, SR5 4X4 same issue as yours. I believed I overfilled freon in it and had the same funny noises for few days. Since I use my car for a living I deliberately used it amidst of the noises until I get a free time to have it diagnosed. It blew cool air fine and was alright except the noises. To this day, I did not have an issue and the noises vanished with use, but it would not hurt to have it checked professionally, though.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Walter, Las Vegas