GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

AC starts and then stops working

Old 06-30-11, 07:04 PM
  #1  
mroctober7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
mroctober7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default AC starts and then stops working

My ac will work for a while and then all of a sudden will stop blowing cold air. The compressor is running and the fans are working. Whats the problem?
Old 06-30-11, 08:20 PM
  #2  
KenMasters
Rookie
 
KenMasters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CO
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just serviced my own for similar reasons, after the recharge we found a leak in the condensor. Ordered a new one today and it's going in tomorrow. $160 and a few hours and we should be golden. Now I can chill the ***** soup, damn it was hot today.
Old 06-30-11, 09:22 PM
  #3  
carbongs
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (13)
 
carbongs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ga
Posts: 4,153
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

have you or someone ever taken off the under dash panel on the driver's side? look below your ignition, lower there is a small square grill piece. check behind there to see if the wiring clip is connected or not. you should see some 10mm bolts holding in the bottom plastic cover with the light bulb built into it. To get the second piece off take off the ignition ring cover, then pull the ignition cover panel off. then a couple more rockes this being disconnected will cause the AC to not blow cold or hard.
Old 07-19-11, 05:02 PM
  #4  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey, did you figuire out what the probl was? Im having the same issue w my car after replacing the condenser. System is properly charged but it goes from COLD to HOT.
Old 07-19-11, 06:08 PM
  #5  
92sc300nj
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
92sc300nj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

does the AC light blink when this happens or is it solid green the whole time?
Old 07-20-11, 06:17 AM
  #6  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 92sc300nj
does the AC light blink when this happens or is it solid green the whole time?
Nah, it doesnt. it stays on like normal..
Old 07-20-11, 06:42 AM
  #7  
starfyrels
Account under Legal Action - Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
starfyrels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

You should do the a/c test on the climate control and report back. I belive its just to turn your ignition to on while holding the temp button and air/recirc button until your a/c cycles.

If you're getting cold air for a while then hot air (assume its blowing hot on both sides?) then just get a gauge from any auto parts stores and check your psi on the fill line. - 44psi should be what you read, if its lower or higher then you have to either get some r134 removed or get some refilled.

Worst case its just your servo motors (but then you'd be experiencing hot/cold air on either side) or your ambient temp sensor is going bad, or your compressor is telling you its going bad.
Old 07-20-11, 07:08 AM
  #8  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Starfyrels, I have a full motion w the servo & i went to an AC shop to have it check properly W the right freon & psi. I have a good feeling its a sensor but which one.
What does the "ambient" sensor do?
Old 07-20-11, 09:48 AM
  #9  
starfyrels
Account under Legal Action - Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
starfyrels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

cabin sensor, its under the right side of your driver side knee height.
Old 07-20-11, 11:32 AM
  #10  
GS4_Fiend
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (22)
 
GS4_Fiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 7,011
Received 86 Likes on 69 Posts
Default

Does the AC clutch engages when A/C is turned on? If not, check the relay.
Old 07-20-11, 12:27 PM
  #11  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by GS4_Fiend
Does the AC clutch engages when A/C is turned on? If not, check the relay.
Yes, it does.
Old 07-20-11, 12:30 PM
  #12  
GS4_Fiend
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (22)
 
GS4_Fiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 7,011
Received 86 Likes on 69 Posts
Default

Assuming the A/C system is good, your Ambient Sensor should be checked. It's under the steering wheel on the right side, you will see a small square vent, that's the one.
Old 07-20-11, 01:02 PM
  #13  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by GS4_Fiend
Assuming the A/C system is good, your Ambient Sensor should be checked. It's under the steering wheel on the right side, you will see a small square vent, that's the one.
yeah, another guy told me the same thing. I'll check to see... How do i know if its not good? shld i just replace it?
Old 07-20-11, 01:30 PM
  #14  
sakataj
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (182)
 
sakataj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: tenn
Posts: 17,247
Received 72 Likes on 71 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by starfyrels
If you're getting cold air for a while then hot air (assume its blowing hot on both sides?) then just get a gauge from any auto parts stores and check your psi on the fill line. - 44psi should be what you read, if its lower or higher then you have to either get some r134 removed or get some refilled.
SIGH,your just full of inaccurate info aren't you? don't use those cheap gauges from the auto parts stores they tend to be inaccurate. use real a/c gauges not to mention the pressure should be checked on the on the LOW side (not the fill side) wording isnt really the issue here, the most inaccurate info has got to be the 44 PSI you claiming, just a heads up guys if u have 44psi you can only get down to about a 50 degree evaporator temp. what it should actually be charged to is about 30psi which will get you to a 35 degree evaporator or 35psi to get you to about a 40 degree evaporator temperature.....but hey what do i know? i have only managed a HVAC supply house for almost the last decade so im sure you def know more about this than i do.
Old 07-20-11, 01:48 PM
  #15  
Doneve79
Driver
 
Doneve79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yeah Sakataj, i read tht from a previous post you posted. I went to an AC shop where they did everything & properly charged the system(no leak). but now, the compressor comes on but no cold air. It was fine after i left the shop on Sat... however, since monday it blows straight hot air while the compressor is on. so, i will ck the ambient sensor like they previously mentioned, if not will take it back to the shop.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: AC starts and then stops working



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:56 PM.