2002 RX300 with 85,000 miles. The A/C got warm in one day. It wasn't gradual. I put a can of r134 with no result. It actually felt hotter after I charged it. When I push the A/C button and the Max A/C/Recycle Air button the compressor clicks on for a second but shuts off. The light on the recycle air button turns off. The compressor continues to turn on and off quickly. It sounds like another "fan" inside the engine compartment turns on and off with the compressor. Does that make sense to someone? Possibly the fan that powers the air recycle? The lines feel cold and I can see refrigerant flowing through the window next to the high pressure connection. I'm not really sure where to begin troubleshooting.

Why would you put a can of freon in it when you have no clue what it needs?

Make sure you don't over charge the r134 to the system, It happen to me which I did not know, I took it to the shop they charge me $250 just to hook it up on the ac odometer which shows the system was over charge. so all I have to do is release some of the r134 our and it back working again. Use the screw drive to let out the r134 on the (L) do not touch the (H) side. it just like let air out of your bicycle tire.

With the accessibility of charge up cans and information on the web, folks tend to reach out for a quick charge.

I guess it is just too tempting.

The thing they overlook are the risks ..

From loss an eye or two to $$$$ worth of a/c repairs.

My view is if you are posting for advice on AC you dont know enough to tinker with the repairs. If you dont know enough, go to a specialist.

AC diagnosis/repair needs equipment and training.

Salim

PS: Sorry for sounding so cynical. I humbly think that A/C repair is not for the novice.

I'm no A/C expert but I remember reading that if you see bubbles or fluid movement in the inspection window, it meant you're low in the refrigerant. That said, your best bet is still have an A/C specialist verify that through actual measurements.

Again for academic purposes, you are partially right. It is OK to see bubbles when you turn on or turn off the ac. Once you turn on, the bubbles should go away. All this assumes every thing is working correctly. Now is the compressor is not working you are expected to see the bubbles and a novice will still try to add more refrigerant and over charge the system. Now if you take your vehicle for repair the tech will be totally confused with observations he will make and would not be able to diagnose properly.

Hence my assertion and Kalali's warning ... go to a specialist. There are times you should pay the piper.

Salim

Hi everybody , I would like to ask a question for my AC is possible. RX300, 127 500 miles,I took out the air mix servo motor and I switch from cold to hot manually until I get new one. I changed the air filter this month and I noticed the A/C is not as strong cold this year. The driver side is still quite cold but the passenger is just warm. Is this a sign of something coming up? Is it a result of the motor missing and not switching properly the heat and the A/C (most likely not). what is the best way to check what s going on?

Bobster999. Charging the system with a can or two has worked on every vehicle every time I have done it in the past (approx 8-9 different vehicles). I guess I could say it just made sense to me.

P.S. Is this not a forum where people can ask questions to get advice from others because we choose to take the road less traveled and "do it ourselves?" If you have a suggestion, I'm listening. If you think my choice to try to charge the system with a can of R134 was wrong, tell me why.


snip ..
Lets keep the discussion/disagreements civil and polite Salim