2003 Toyota Camry Air Conditioning

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
62,500 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JACKDANIELZX
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I am trying to recharge the A/C, I am using an arctic cold r-134a can with hose and gauge. I found the cap on the large tubing under the left side of the engine and followed the directions. I put the can on, made sure it was on tight and the gauge went to the red zone which means the car is busted. I had this problem before and my friend was able to fix it, I lost touch and now I can't remember what he did. It reads about 100psi but it still flashes when I turn the a/c on. Is there anything I can do or should I just take it in??

Thank you,

Dan
Jan 12, 2008 at 3:23 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

There is very little you can do with out a high / low pressure gauge and a recovery, vacuum pump. There will be a leak some where which will have to be repaired so have it inspected by an A/C qualified mechanic and get it fixed properly.

Mark (mhpautos)
Jan 12, 2008 at 6:49 AM
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JACKDANIELZX
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In my search for help on this issue I remember seeing a page that said the compressor won't work if it detects 0psi. So my system sucks in air to keep the compressor on when there is no freeon. That is why the air is hot and the pressure gauge reads
75-100psi.
After watching a Kragen Auto Parts guy release some pressure with his keys I had the idea of taking an allen wrench to the inlet and releasing all the pressure, (which can be a chilling experience) and after it was drained to 0 psi I followed the instructions on the can and the system recharged!! All I had to do was release the pressure, wait for the click that turns on the compressor to suck in air and provide the system with R-134A instead of hot air. There was NO leak and I am glad that I did not take advice from this site. The estimated DIAGNOSIS of an A/C system can be $200 and the parts and labor to repair the compressor system would bring me over $500!!

Thanks for taking my $20 "donation" and giving me horrible advice.

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Jan 14, 2008 at 6:39 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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You asked for advice on the A/C system and you received what was appropriate infomation, considering the level of infomation you supplied. At a professional level we don't car keys and dump refrigerant to atmosphere (illegale you know) This is a very dangerous way of doing things, The refrigerant can cause permanent injury if miss handled, It is your choice to use the advice as you see fit, To check the A/C system with calibrated Hi / Low gauges is the correct way to diagnose the system, so don't criticize what you asked for, just because you decided not to use infomation supplied. The low refrigerant is because of a leak in the system, It can't go anywhere else but to atmosphere, you may get 12 months or more from your method, but sooner or later the system will shut down again.

Mark (mhpautos)
Jan 14, 2008 at 6:59 PM