Hello!
Wanted to see has anyone encountered this before. I have an 02 ls430. When I start the car I constant hear the compressor or belt (not sure which one) turn on and immediately turn off.

The air is kind of cool when blowing. However once I begin driving the air is cold and will stay that way.

Is this normal? If not, has this happened to anyone before and thoughts? I considered the a/c needed to be recharged but it is cold when driving. The compressor or belt stays on while driving and after I have driven and park it will not come on and cut off like at first.

Thanks in advance!

 

Might be low on Freon. The Low pressure switch is no doubt shutting off the compressor, but with the engine running at higher RPMs, the compressor can move the existing Freon to facilitate the cooling effect you feel. These are fairly robust systems, so I'd be surprised if you have a hellacious leak somewhere... Might just be a little low.

 

I considered that, but guess I dismissed it with the cooling coming on stronger when driving. Your comment makes sense. Thanks.

 

One thing i noticed with these new Android units is that my AC blows really cold when the mode/vent position is set to "A" instead of "fresh" or "recirculate" mode. Try that, see if it makes any difference.

 

Went to get the freon checked, was 8 oz low. But also stated that it is a dual fan set up, and one fan is not operating. The price tag was $1100.

That price is a lot more than I want to pay, is this an easier DIY project?

 

Super easy DIY. Watch the Youtube video on the Timing Belt service for the 3UZFE and see how the radiator is removed. Super easy to do. You can purchase a used fan assembly (ebay) and mount it on the radiator (or purchase a new one online for $70.00) and reinstall with fresh coolant.

Make sure the fan connectors are clean and not corroded. Also check the relay for the fan. It could be bad....

 

Thank you. What should I use to try to clean the connectors? Compressed air?

 

Maybe dumb question..but am I missing a fan relay? I am referencing the 80a relay. I have seen some where it was missing and some where it was not.

 

Ordered a new motor for a/c and since I am replacing one the radiator fan as well and new radiator and hose since all has to come off anyways. Looks like original radiator.

Started removing the radiator in between movie time and baty time. The raditaor was completely full...the reservoir tank was completely empty (after filling it up yesterday.) My guess...cracked reservoir tank, or bad radiator cap. But problem is the fluid was on top of radiator.


Would a cracked reservoir be able to spray on top of radiator as well as leak on bottom cover? Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

Yes it in fact appears that you are missing a fuse (??)

The missing relay near the front of the fuse block is for the Air Suspension on the UL series cars.

Strange...

 

That's quite possible. Yours would not be the first reservoir that developed a crack from heat.

 

What if you don't have a UL? (He doesn't)

 

Then, no relay in the "Air Suspension" relay position.

 

We have this issue every year it warms up. Open your coolant and top it off. Also a new OEM radiator cap is a great idea.

These cars have some sort of parasitic coolant loss that causes the AC to not cool in certain scenarios. There are 2 small hoses to the reservoir that can also be swapped out - the are knows to swell and cause leaks. These cars - no matter what are all aging. So seals and hoses are going to be less than great.

Driving, flipping AC off and on - and flipping from recirculate to outside air - somewhere in between I can get it going. But usually it runs great.

Top off and check coolant every once in a while - especially if AC isn't working the way it should - hope this helps!

 

No problems of any kind with my A/C in the 11 years I have owned and driven it. I have never turned the A/C off. I leave the climate control on Auto throughout the year. I let the auto recirculate make the choices also.