air conditioner suddenly stopped working after driving through water

[duffbeer911]

Hey all,

I had to drive through some reasonably deep "puddles" over the weekend and suddenly my AC has stopped working. When I say deep, I mean they were maybe as deep as a tyre. And I was only that deep for maybe 5 seconds at a time, maybe 10 times in the day.

anyways, the AC was working fine for the first part of the journey and then suddenly stopped putting out cold air after a few puddles.

I'm wondering if you think it is a random coincidence or could I have damaged something going through that water? The AC light still comes on constant but it is just outside temperature air coming in. I don't think it is heated air. I've taken out the relay which says heater on it (another thread said that was also the AC relay). Gave it a bit of a tap tap and put it back in. Still no luck.

I'm pretty sure the compressor isn't coming on. Usually when I put the AC on while idling the idle speed changes slightly but I get no change at the moment. When I do this with the hood open I don't hear anything that would indicate the compressor is coming on.

The refrigerant was refilled about 12 months so I don't think it is that. It was really cold before it cut out... not a gradual decrease as far as I can tell. Although I haven't checked properly yet.

Any other suggestions most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[nevada]

have you visually checked the compressor, and belt?

set the ac ON, and look under to the hood to see whats going on.

 

[Skidmarcx]

Check your fuse box under the hood... it's possible you're clutch circuit is exposed and shorted to ground

 

[duffbeer911]

thanks guys for the fast response.

The fuse is definitely not blown. I even took it out and notice that the AC light inside doesn't come on when there is no fuse. But mine does come on when the fuse is in.

I took a look at the compressor and belt. It is spinning around and nothing looks broken or disconnected (from my non-mechanic eyes).

I also took a look at the little window on the refrigerant thing ... it just looks empty to me. I don't see any kind of bubble or foam or any change at all.

Appreciate the help thanks

 

[Skidmarcx]

thanks guys for the fast response.

The fuse is definitely not blown. I even took it out and notice that the AC light inside doesn't come on when there is no fuse. But mine does come on when the fuse is in.

I took a look at the compressor and belt. It is spinning around and nothing looks broken or disconnected (from my non-mechanic eyes).

I also took a look at the little window on the refrigerant thing ... it just looks empty to me. I don't see any kind of bubble or foam or any change at all.

Appreciate the help thanks

The sight glass will appear empty when the system is not running... If you have a test light or DVOM you can test power to the compressor clutch... Key on engine off with AC on

 

[duffbeer911]

i don't have a test light here but will try and get one today. In the meantime, do you know any links to write ups on removing/installing the compressor so I can get a better idea of how it is hooked up? Cheers

 

[duffbeer911]

hmmm, seems like maybe I've reached my mechanical knowledge limit when it comes to checking voltage at the compressor clutch. I'm not at all sure how to do that.

Maybe related, it is gradually getting a bit harder to start the engine. Like there is a pause for a second when I put the key on start before it kicks over. Maybe like the battery is low on charge? maybe not charging when I'm driving?

any other thoughts before I call someone? cheers

 

[duffbeer911]

.... and now it won't start at all. Luckily I have a portable jump start battery so will get home and csll a mechanic!

 

[Skidmarcx]

Sounds like you need somebody physically there for help... Hope you get it figured out

 

[duffbeer911]

yeah you are right I do need a pro to take a look. But one of the few mechanics I trust here I can't get a hold of .... so I continued to poke around myself.

So, the battery isn't draining and the alternator is charging. I get >14v at the battery when it is running. The symptoms I'm seeing are exactly the same as these:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/106501-starting-issue.html

So I will take a look at the starter connections and see if I can solve it.

Question - is there any obvious link between this happening + the AC not working? Remember I drove through some pretty muddy puddles on the weekend before these problems started.

Thanks as always for the help

 

[Brian757]

yeah you are right I do need a pro to take a look. But one of the few mechanics I trust here I can't get a hold of .... so I continued to poke around myself.

So, the battery isn't draining and the alternator is charging. I get >14v at the battery when it is running. The symptoms I'm seeing are exactly the same as these:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/106501-starting-issue.html

So I will take a look at the starter connections and see if I can solve it.

Question - is there any obvious link between this happening + the AC not working? Remember I drove through some pretty muddy puddles on the weekend before these problems started.

Thanks as always for the help

You could have just dirtied the contacts on your starter. Unless you have a puddle of water collected somewhere where electrical components are, and instead of tripping anything, the water is closing the circuit and continuously running 12V.