Sorry for so many ?'s and not many answers

[jmrwd3]

Hey all, its me again. Sorry for so many questions lately, I know i ask a lot a contribute very little. Hopefully when i gain more knowledge I can start helping out a bit.

On my way out to CO I noticed that my A/C was getting a bit cool and the compressor was switching on and off a lot, about every 10 seconds. I have since left the system off, but does this sound like low refrigerant or something like the compressor cycling switch? I know that i haven't serviced the system in the past 3 years, but am unsure of the previous owner. I am ordering the refrigerant pressure gauge, but in the meantime will i damage the compressor if I do run the system?

'99 4Runner 5sp 4x4
125xxx miles

 

[fishingt4r]

get the Diagnostic Trouble Code (sensor)
compare it to the attached chart if it codes

 

[jmrwd3]

Would the sensor tell me though if it was simply low on coolant? I think i'll stop at Autozone one of these days and just buy the gauge, it can't be that expensive. That would at least tell me if it is a r-134 problem.

 

[fishingt4r]

since you said the a/c blows cold air, I don't think you're low on refrigerant. if it was, you wouldn't get cold air.

i'm thinking electrical; something is causing the magnetic clutch to turn on/off rapidly. maybe the clutch itself is bad. I don't know.

 

[Run4urLife]

I would seriously recommend letting an A/C tech check it out if you want to avoid making the problem worse than it may already be... A/C components aren't known to be very durable and are quite expensive to fix.