I have an 05 RL and have read a number of posts about owners who's A/C has gone out. Mine is now working intermittently - when driving on the highway its fine, but when stopped at a light for a minute or two, it will start blowing warmer air. I figure its the compressor. A new one is around $600; but I've seen some remanufactured ones for about half that, with the same warranty as new. So thats the route I plan on taking.

It doesn't look hard to replace - has anyone done it, and if so, can you provide some pointers.

Thanks.

Larry

 

Why do you think it's the compressor? It sounds like low refrigerant to me. The lower rpm at idle doesn't result in enough cooling as opposed to freeway rpms.

I'd check for a leak and fix it, or just as an easy test... add a little refrigerant and see if it improves. If it does, you know it's definitely low and you have to find a leak.

This is all assuming that the compressor is kicking on properly and it doesn't make any weird noises while running of course...

If you do end up replacing the compressor yourself, make sure you have all the A/C tools you need for charging up an a/c system that's been opened up, like pressure gauges, vacuum pump, refrigerent scale or some other means to measure how much refrigerant you're putting back in, etc....

 

Okay, this may sound funny but I just watched Motorweek last night and they had a little three-minute segment on AC issues. Just some food for thought: very dirty/clogged cabin air filter, dirty/clogged condenser and bad cooling fan relay. These were all mentioned as budget fixes that everyone overlooks.

If it's not one of the above, maybe take it to a Dealer for diagnosis (and pay the basic fee)...then do the work yourself.

 

If you do go the route of a new compressor, spend the extra $$ on a condenser/dryer so you don't make the same mistake 2f2f did.

 

The compressor is what others with similar problems have reported. I've checked the R134 level, it looked OK, and like I said, it works fine when on the highway. I'll probably take the advice of others and have it 1st checked out.

 

Hold on before changing the compressor. Check the condenser fan. The fan motor can become weak and cause just those symptoms. I am currently dealing with the same problem. After changing out the solenoid on the compressor. Fan motor seems to be the culprit afterall. It has basically died, I have to help it start turning. Makes sense without fan helping with airflow during stops the compressor struggles with pressure.
I am having trouble finding parts locally. To add insult to injury the radiator cooling fan motor has bitten the dirt as well. What is up with these electric fan motors? Looks like OEM is my only choice no aftermarket yet.
Anyway check out your condenser fan.