LJBSJB

Help!

My 1992 LS400 air hasn't worked for the year I've owned it, and for the 8 years before when my uncle owned it.
I can't take the heat like he can, so I'm looking to get it fixed.
I took it to my garage - too special for them.
I took it to the AC specialists in my city - they said it was not repairable, and that the compressor and the "junction block" had failed.

I finally took it today to the Lexus dealer 1.5 hours away today, and they said:
- the system still had some pressure, but not a lot. (So it shouldn't be leak issue.)
- they charged it and put in dye. It is holding the charge.
- the compressor now kicks in. (When I used to turn on the air, the enging rpm never changed. Now it does.)
- they said the Regulator is not changing the liquid to a gas, which is necessary to make cold air.

They said a Regulator Assembly is $1,074 plus labour. But they also said that I should try to turn it on/off a bunch of times, and maybe it will kick in. I tried that about 25 times on the way home. Still only warm air. (Yes, I changed the climate setting to 66F.)

What do you say? Can I encourage my regulator to work? (Tap it, heat it, beat it with a stick?) Should I look for a used Regulator and have a local shop install it and re-charge the system? I'm hoping you have some great advice!

Oh - and I checked the AC codes, and only got 21 = solar sensor circuit open or short.

Thanks.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Check out www.RockAuto.com They have really good prices on re-manufactured components.

Dirtybrd

Regulator? Are they talking about the expansion valve?

fixmiester

It either uses an expansion valve, or an orifice tube. Sometimes they use both, for SUVs with rear-air. Either way, these components usually cost less than $40 bucks. It's an R-134 system, so the freon is cheap. They're nailing you on the labor (or labour, in your case), and they are probably trying to sell you stuff you don't need. Any decent A/C shop should have been able to figure this out. After all these years, you MIGHT need a new filter/dryer, but those don't cost much. Like someone said, check prices at Rockauto. Unfortunately, the system will have to be evacuated, fixed, then recharged again. Not a job for the DIY guy, unless you have tools and experience.

LJBSJB

I believe it is the EPR valve (Evaporator Pressure Regulator). As a 1992 car, I'm guessing this is still an old freon system?
I agree with you that I'm surprised the A/C shop didn't go at this more aggressively. With this hot weather we're having, I'd be willing to throw some money into getting some cold air!

python

iTrader: (4)

this took my all of 5 seconds to find...i get the same thing at work,people refuse to do any homework themselves..first recourse is always ask others to do whats so easily and readily available...google is an amazing thing,try it sometime

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=41007

look at post #4
have a great day and i hope this helps

LJBSJB

Thanks, Python. I did see this once in my searches, but was looking for another (simpler) solution, because I'm not overly mechanically inclined.
But I'm going to try this. I'll see what I can do. Maybe I'll surprise myself!
With a 20 year-old car, I should be more willing to get my hands dirty. I had an issue earlier this year with the reverse light staying on and the transmission not shifting out of first, and this site guided me to a solution that only took me 15 minutes and $0.15!
Have a great day.

python

iTrader: (4)

glad i could help