2000 TL - A/C Problem - Compressor, R134a, etc.?
 

So my A/C hasn't really been blowing to its full potential lately in terms of cold. I checked the pressure with a gauge a week ago and it was low, so I added more refrigerant. All was well this morning. It's been around 80+ degrees lately. It was definitely getting cool enough.

Until today. I drove about 35 miles, no problem. As soon as I got in my car and ran the A/C a few minutes ago, no go. It doesn't really get cool at all. I put it on 60º, full fan, A/C button. And it's about 82º outside. Nothing.

The compressor clicks off/on repeatedly. And when it clicks on it makes a short humming noise, and then clicks off again, and repeats. I checked the coolant level and it was where it is supposed to be.


That's a video of it. Not the greatest sound quality. Recorded it on my Galaxy S3. Just a lot of background noise. But you can still hear it.

Any ideas? It's HOT! :-(

UPDATE:

I'm a dork. I filled the system too much when I added some coolant, when it was a bit low. I let a relatively small amount out and it's back to where it should be.

HOWEVER, I still have a whining noise while the compressor is running. It sounds like it could simply be the belt. The noise is onlu present when the compressor runs, and isn't that noticeable unless the hood is open. I wonder if the belt needs to either be replaced or just lubricated?

Have you checked the Belt Tensioner? In you video it looks like it moves a little bit everytime the A/C Kicked in.. That could be your noise.


As why the A/C doesn't get cold? Are you sure the System is charged at Spec? a little bit more and the system wont engage. You can always bring up the DTCs and check if the system will throw a Code in the A/C.

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Hope it Helps!

Awesome, thanks for the info. No, I hadn't thought of the belt tensioner. I'll look into that. And I wasn't aware of that self-test. I may give that a try as well.

the ac belt tensioner is a common failure, get the entire unit with tensioner and pulley for under 100

do not lube any of the TL belts!

When you refer to "the entire unit" what exactly do you mean? I'm not entirely car savvy, though I'm familiar with most terms. Of course I know what a tensioner is, and a pully. I just don't know how they all come together in some ways. Haha.

Is that something I should be able to fix myself? Or something a professional should do?

if you have really small hands, a floor jack and jackstand and basic hand tools it can be done thru the right fender liner
shop with no experience will charge 1+ hours while a guy who knows how is done in less than 30
see our diy section for help

its 2 parts attached to each other- and usually sold that way
the spring inside round part of the main body thing keeps the belt at constant tension- ac load and revving engine change belt tension all the time
Observe the parts arm jumping around a bit when tested with ac-revs in park

the other bit is the round pulley with a bearing in it- the belt rides against it

in the old days some would separate the parts and save a few dollars
With the total age on all the parts, it makes sense to buy a preassembled unit
of the 2 parts into 1

Okay. Well, I was looking at it yesterday with a friend of mine who's pretty knowledgeable with engines, though still no complete expert. The noise actually sounds like low power steering fluid, especially the way older vehicles sound. But the fluid is perfectly full. And the sound ONLY occurs when the A/C is on. It doesn't worsen with turning the wheel or anything either.

But also, we noticed that the tensioner pulley actually VIBRATES just a bit when the A/C runs. Could the amount of tension be slightly incorrect?

It's hard to describe, but on the tensioner pulley itself, there is a raised notch. In the assembly where the tensioner connects, there is a little divet of sorts, and the notch/divet don't entirely line up. It's off by less than 1/4" I think, but we weren't sure if they were actually supposed to be lined up or what?

Yes when the belt is new (Hasn't stretched) the Little arrow will line up with each other.. Its like a wear mark for the belt not the tensioner itself.