I searched the forums but I haven't seen a similar problem. About 4 years ago, my AC stopped working. Figured it was the compressor and knew it would be $$$ to fix so I didn't look into it too much. I did take it to a mechanic friend of my sister's and he said while he isn't a foreign car expert, the TL had coolant and was holding the charge (it wasn't leaking). He thought it was a bad compressor and found a $300 replacement from an accord in a nearby junkyard. I didn't take him up on it because I was moving to San Diego in a couple days.

Anyway, I'm back in the DC area again and forgot how hot it gets during the summer. I'm not convinced it's the compressor - mind you I have very little mechanical experience. The reason being that he said there was coolant and it wasn't leaking but also because the climate control doesn't work anymore - it died around the same time. It is full on hot air all the time. I have to turn it off and set it to recirculate in order for hot air to not come through the vents. Also, when I do turn on the heat and the AC indicator is on, my engine revs up a little just like when the AC was working. Doesn't this mean that the compressor is coming on? Is there some part that controls both the AC and the Climate Control that I might look at replacing first before going the new compressor route?

Thanks!

 

Watch the clutch on the compr.- does it engage when the AC button is pressed? If not check to see if you're getting 12v at the clutch. If not maybe the pressure is low and the low press. switch is keeping it off.