stofficer2
New member
I am starting this thread in hopes the more experienced members might chime in to shine some light on any misconceptions.
My 2003 Limited V8 is having an AC melt down. Few months ago when the vehicle is started with AC on you'd get a bit of a whining noise from the front. Sort of like an idler pulley's bearing going out. Did this for months with no problems. Never noticed a problem anywhere. Figured it was a bearing about to seize so I kept a spare belt and a wrench in the back just in case.
One day my wife calls me and says AC no longer works. I thought the day came. It didn't... All it would do now is just flash the AC light and nothing else. Still drove just fine. Hopped on the forums and was ecstatic to learn that the 4runner has a problem with the relay. Thought, let's just swap the fog light relay (if I remember correctly???) with the AC relay and we will be well on our way. Popped the hood and the newer style relay is already in there. Swapped the relays and nothing changed. Relays were good. Checked fuses, they were good too. I checked the cabin filter, it was filthy so I changed it out. Still no change (didn't expect much). Also purchased one of those ticking time bomb DIY freon cans. Hooked it up and could not get the AC to engage but the gauge was all the way in the red. This is when I noticed something seriously wrong.
I had my wife in the driver's seat and I was under the hood. I had her hit the AC button so I can see if I give it a few squirts from the can while it tries to engage if it would get it to "turn over". That didn't work but I did notice something else. The clutch would try to engage but would just shutter or vibrate erratically back and forth then start smoking. Every now and then it'd throw sparks. I popped the belt off and could not turn the compressor by hand. I did release a little bit of freon (sorry Ozone!) to see if it was over charged. Nothing changed.
That leads to now, if you try to engage the compressor it wont. I am assuming because there's not enough freon in the system now. When you do try this, the lever behind the center console just goes back and forth non stop.
So the conclusion I've come to is to replace the compressor. I've been advised to replace the drier and expansion valve with it. I have also gotten mixed instructions about replacing the condenser and evap as well. Some say just flush the hell out of it and others say replace it all. Unfortunately, I didn't invent Apple or Microsoft so keeping costs to a minimum is a must in my house.
Any input from other members is greatly appreciated. If we want to turn this into a AC Compressor fix DIY thingy, I'll be happy to contribute as much information and pictures as I can.
My 2003 Limited V8 is having an AC melt down. Few months ago when the vehicle is started with AC on you'd get a bit of a whining noise from the front. Sort of like an idler pulley's bearing going out. Did this for months with no problems. Never noticed a problem anywhere. Figured it was a bearing about to seize so I kept a spare belt and a wrench in the back just in case.
One day my wife calls me and says AC no longer works. I thought the day came. It didn't... All it would do now is just flash the AC light and nothing else. Still drove just fine. Hopped on the forums and was ecstatic to learn that the 4runner has a problem with the relay. Thought, let's just swap the fog light relay (if I remember correctly???) with the AC relay and we will be well on our way. Popped the hood and the newer style relay is already in there. Swapped the relays and nothing changed. Relays were good. Checked fuses, they were good too. I checked the cabin filter, it was filthy so I changed it out. Still no change (didn't expect much). Also purchased one of those ticking time bomb DIY freon cans. Hooked it up and could not get the AC to engage but the gauge was all the way in the red. This is when I noticed something seriously wrong.
I had my wife in the driver's seat and I was under the hood. I had her hit the AC button so I can see if I give it a few squirts from the can while it tries to engage if it would get it to "turn over". That didn't work but I did notice something else. The clutch would try to engage but would just shutter or vibrate erratically back and forth then start smoking. Every now and then it'd throw sparks. I popped the belt off and could not turn the compressor by hand. I did release a little bit of freon (sorry Ozone!) to see if it was over charged. Nothing changed.
That leads to now, if you try to engage the compressor it wont. I am assuming because there's not enough freon in the system now. When you do try this, the lever behind the center console just goes back and forth non stop.
So the conclusion I've come to is to replace the compressor. I've been advised to replace the drier and expansion valve with it. I have also gotten mixed instructions about replacing the condenser and evap as well. Some say just flush the hell out of it and others say replace it all. Unfortunately, I didn't invent Apple or Microsoft so keeping costs to a minimum is a must in my house.
Any input from other members is greatly appreciated. If we want to turn this into a AC Compressor fix DIY thingy, I'll be happy to contribute as much information and pictures as I can.
