I have a 1996 SC400 and the AC doesn't blow cold air. It blows hot air fine, just not cold. What's the probability I just need a recharge? I know if I need compressor/drier it's like $1200 from Lexus dealer and $900 from a regular shop to do the work.

The car was has all been dealer maintained thus far, so what's the chance the compressor failed in this thing? Do they fail often? I'm only at 123K now hoping it's just a recharge. I need cold air regardless, just figured I'd ask on the failure rate. Anyway to easily diagnose it myself?

 

Happened to me ended up needing to get the heater control valve replaced. Pop the good and check out the heater control valve and see if there is any evidence of it leaking. The part costs about $300-$400 so it's pretty pricey.

 

No evidence of it leaking. I was thinking the compressor might be the problem though not the heater control valve, I thought that was for hot air only?

 

Well the heater control valve would be a less expensive fix compared to the compressor, but you should probably have someone look at it to determine the cause of the problem. For me I went in for service and the Lexus service tech was the one that informed me of my leaky heater control valve, and i remember the A/C wouldn't work properly (blowing hot air), as soon as I replaced the heater control valve everything worked and the A/C was colder than ever.