jspeciner

Hello... Wife called me today saying that her A/C wasn't cooling well and she was hearing a consistent clicking noise coming from the engine area. She brought the RX to my office. After taking a look I determined that the clicking noise is coming somewhere near the alternator (possible culprit), and it is only happening when the climate control system is running (albeit, not efficiently). Shutting the climate control system off eliminated the noise.

As I went back to listen to the noise a second time before writing this post, the clicking noise is gone - however the A/C is just spitting out hot air. Something is obviously amiss with the climate control system.

It doesn't seem to be coming from the passenger dash area at all, eliminating servo motor, I think. Wife did say that she had a start-up issue a couple of hours earlier, but it didn't seem to be a big deal because the RX started up on the next turn-over. Was hoping to learn from anyone that's ran into this before. Any thoughts, suggestions, or additional tests I can run to diagnose?

UPDATE: Just had a chance to take the RX on a test-drive. After start-up the clicking noise lasted three clicks, and then stopped. As I started to drive, the A/C got cold. When I came to my first light, the A/C got hot again and the clicking noise returned - this thing actually shook the entire car, basically like a cat trying to heave up a hairball. Turning off just the A/C (not the entire climate control system) stopped the clicking/heaving. Driving again, turning the A/C back on: cold air, no clicking/heaving. I didn't notice if the engine temp itself was over-heating (didn't even look, I'm a dummy). Water pump failing?

2nd UPDATE: Driving the RX home yesterday, when it was about 10 degrees cooler outside, and there were no issues at all - whether at idle, or driving. It was as if nothing ever happened. Obviously there is something going on that needs to be fixed, and I would actually prefer that the issue be consistent in order to diagnose. Anyone out there have any ideas?

mandyfig

Welcome to CL.

Do a search, this seems to be an actuator issue for the AC. It requires replacement. There was a TSB and in fact mine was done on extended warranty. Have not heard the clicking after the TSB was done.

Again we welcome you to CL.

mandyfig

Check this if this applies to you...ticking related to AC settings, mine was the Blender actuator.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-advice-2.html

jspeciner

Thanks for the reply. What I'm experiencing doesn't seem to be consistent with the actuator issue. I thought I had also seen similar symptoms related to a servo motor(?) as well when I searched the forums prior to posting.

This clicking is coming from the front of the engine compartment and is actually causing the entire vehicle to heave while it is happening. The actuator / servo motor complaints seem to be more of an annoyance - my issue, when occurring, is more concerning than annoying (if that makes sense).

Carver

Sounds like it may be a compressor issue; perhaps as simple as low coolant. Have that checked ASAP as running it low can cause damage.

kiwi

please explain, coolant levels and A/C are not in any way related.

i assume you mean refrigerant, if that is the case, you are also wrong, running low will not hurt anything, the compressor has oil in it, it will be fine.

jspeciner

Easy now... No one is wrong. I appreciate all the ideas I can get at this point. I understood what he/she meant. Regardless of damage potential, I need to have the freon/refrigerant/coolant (whatever we want to call it) level checked, just to be sure. I'll probably give the compressor and clutch a look too. Where is the A/C clutch on the RX?

Thanks to you both.

Carver

LOL, not to worry he/she/it is probably just having a bad day. Be sure to get that refrigerant/coolant/freon/gas/R134A/cold stuff checked ASAP!

mandyfig

LOL...is there any other word to describe the thingy that is compressed, heated, expanded fluid in the AC system, other than the above?

jspeciner

I think that covers them all. Anyone have any idea where the A/C compressor and clutch is located in the '04 RX? Pictures are always fun too... For science.

kiwi

i wasnt / am not having a bad day, i have a very good knowledge of vehicles, and it didnt make sense. and not calling it the right thing, can/will throw people off.

jspeciner

Hey, no worries. Do you have any ideas on what I might be dealing with by chance? Can you lend me a hand with my oft asked question on the location of the A/C compressor and clutch? Do they even make a Hayne's for the RX? I've never had such a time locating a parts view. Thanks!

RX330inFL

The noise you are hearing is more than likely the clutch on the compressor. Now, is that the problem is another question. While you talk about the noise you are hearing there really is not enough details to make a determination with certainty. First, we do need to know if there is sufficient freon in the system as you discussed previous. If you have a leak and the freon is low or out this can cause the problem you are seeing. Second, check the coolant level in your radiator and overflow tank. If this is low it can cause your AC to not work proper. More on that later. For now, just have a look while you are under the hood. The magnetic clutch on the compressor going on and off may not be a problem, but rather just a symptom.

Any decent shop has the equipment necessary to make a determination on what is wrong with your AC. Assuming you still have a system full of freon, you will still need access to this equipment to pump the system down to remove the freon from the system before it can even be worked on as it is illegal to just dump this stuff into the atmosphere. Most shops with check your AC for a minimal charge.

As for diagrams, Sewell Lexus of Dallas is a sponsor of CL and is a good source for such items. This should get you started:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...X330-2004.html

I have seen a thick phonebook sized hardcover Chilton manual which included the 2004 RX330. There is also a Haynes manual for the Highlander and RX330. You can check your local library to see what they have on the shelf or your local parts store.

RX330inFL

While these are two separate systems, please keep in mind that they are not completely independent of each other.

Overheating
If the engine is running hot or overheating, it can have a noticeable negative affect on the air conditioning system.

Never hurts to check and is easily done.

For a full set of recommendations:

http://www.autobytel.com/car-ownersh...orking-103455/