Can a/c problem be linked to evaporator?

[IndyIS]

I need some help... I've been having issues with my a/c for over a year now. Problem is that it blows cold for a few seconds, then the compressor shuts off and it blows outside air, then back to cold, then warm, etc.. I've replaced the relay - twice to be sure the new relay wasn't a dud - but no go. The dealer evacuated the system thinking there was moisture in the line, but that didn't fix it. The dealer is now saying it's the condenser that is bad, but I find that hard to believe considering they say I have no leaks and the system shows refrigerant levels are perfect. Since the condenser is not mechanical, it either leaks or it doesn't. Right? Plus, I've read others say their dealer replaced it and no luck on fixing the problem which makes me more skeptical.

Today I took it to a small shop that was recommended by a good friend and the guy is telling me apparently there's a leak around the evaporator so that needs to be replaced. While I'm waiting for him to pull prices, I called my local dealer and the service manager tells me he's never sold one of those, but will gladly sell one to me for $283 plus tax. So I called Advance Auto and they don’t even have the part listed for sale. Now I wonder if that could be the problem, if nobody else has had this issue?

So, I'm at a loss. Love the truck, but don't want to sweat my nuts off this summer like I did last summer.

By the way, it's a 2003 SR5 V8.

Any help, guidance, or advice is appreciated. Anyone else have this issue, and get it fixed?

 

[Acidmeld]

It sounds more like a pressure sensor failing. It may be reading the pressure as too high so as soon as the compressor kicks on it see excess psi and shuts off. Theres a sensor built into the ac line by the pass headlamp. Disconnect the connector and see if anything changes.

 

[IndyIS]

Thanks Acidmeld - I disconnected the sensor then started the engine on and the compressor didn't kick on at all, just blew air as if I manually turned the a/c off.

Other suggestions? I'm open to try just about anything before swallowing one of the big ticket fixes from the local dealer/shop.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Thanks Acidmeld - I disconnected the sensor then started the engine on and the compressor didn't kick on at all, just blew air as if I manually turned the a/c off.

Other suggestions? I'm open to try just about anything before swallowing one of the big ticket fixes from the local dealer/shop.

The pressure sensor "opens" with ambient pressure as a fail safe in the event of a complete loss of refrigerant or slow leak. Take a jumper lead or a paper clip and short the two pins on the connector for the pressure sensor and run your A/C, the compressor should kick in like normal.

Note: Do NOT run your A/C for more than a couple minutes if you try this. The Pressure sensor helps regulate the pressure in the system and if you leave it shorted like this the A/C Module won't know its building pressure and keep going until it decides to find a way out.

 

[kellehek]

A/C trouble

Hoping someone can give me some guidance for my A/C on my 2003 4Runner V6. For the past two years I've had to have it recharged in the Spring and this gets me through the summer w/o any issues. I brought it to a Toyota Dealer today for recharging. He said there's a small leak on the evaporator and wants $4,500 to replace it, labor and other small parts included. I just need to get through the next few months (it's hot in Houston). Any ideas on a stop gap fix ?

 

[d2huffman]

The only stop gap that I know is to recharge again. I had the same thing on my explorer and they added a dye so we could see the leak. They only charged me 60 or 70 bucks to recharge in spring so I did that for 2 summers before trading for t4r before this summer.

 

[kellehek]

I agree and so does the local repair shop up the street. I popped in to see what he thought of the Toyota quote, said he could do the same for 1/3 the cost. We talked about it and decided tomorrow's a recharge with leak seal. Should get me through the summer which is all I need.

 

[kosan]

Hoping someone can give me some guidance for my A/C on my 2003 4Runner V6. For the past two years I've had to have it recharged in the Spring and this gets me through the summer w/o any issues. I brought it to a Toyota Dealer today for recharging. He said there's a small leak on the evaporator and wants $4,500 to replace it, labor and other small parts included. I just need to get through the next few months (it's hot in Houston). Any ideas on a stop gap fix ?

You're better off recharging it every year even if the other shop costs 1/3 ofr 4.5k.

 

[IndyIS]

The pressure sensor "opens" with ambient pressure as a fail safe in the event of a complete loss of refrigerant or slow leak. Take a jumper lead or a paper clip and short the two pins on the connector for the pressure sensor and run your A/C, the compressor should kick in like normal.

Note: Do NOT run your A/C for more than a couple minutes if you try this. The Pressure sensor helps regulate the pressure in the system and if you leave it shorted like this the A/C Module won't know its building pressure and keep going until it decides to find a way out.

I gave the paper clip a couple different times. Once half hour after I got home from work, then just a few minutes ago when I got home from the store. Pretty much the same thing, although earlier the compressor ran longer than it did the second go round.

What do you think? Or, what should I do next? I appreciate your time on this issue.

 

[IndyIS]

I agree and so does the local repair shop up the street. I popped in to see what he thought of the Toyota quote, said he could do the same for 1/3 the cost. We talked about it and decided tomorrow's a recharge with leak seal. Should get me through the summer which is all I need.

The dealer tells me that the freon levels are good, but a local shop says I have a leak and to use the leak stop. He wants $110 for the leak stop and recharge, but if it doesn't solve the problem, I don't get my $110 back. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[IndyIS]

Should I buy a good set of gauges and test the levels myself? I guess that would tell me who is right about the a/c... either there's a leak if it's low, or there's not.

 

[earthrealm]

any solutions..my a/c works poorly..only blows cold on the lowest fan setting...at higher fan settings..it doesnt blow out cold air