Well, it was finally warm enough today, the wife turned on the A/C on her 2004 RX330 and the A/C is blowing warm air ... hoping it isn't the compressor and the repair is something inexpensive. It is getting looked at tomorrow.

 

cdnewton, hope it's something minor. The compressor went on my '99. Fortunately the extended warranty covered the cost which was around $600-700 for refurbished compressor and labor. That was back in 2003.

 

People forget that even during deep winter, the A/C must be run for about 10mins per week [you need to turn the thermostat down to cold to engage the clutch or use defrost].

Salim

 

is the a/c light flashing ?

 

Nope, everything appears to be working fine (on the dash and the screen) .... I drove it last night, enroute to the independent, and the air wasn't necessarily warm, but it certainly wasn't cool. I will have an update later today.

 

let us know,because the a/c light will usually flash if their is a problem.

 

lexus114, you are correct. The light was flashing on mine intermittently. Initially the dealer said a belt was loose. But after tightening, it happened again. Doesn't sound like the problem cdnewton is having.

Best of luck. That Colorado sun combined with the altitude can make 65 feel like 85.

 

I had a leak in the A/C condenser last year, no cold air, cost $1500 to replace. Since it's road hazard that caused the puncture of the hole. I called Lexus, they ate the cost and I get a free brand new A/C condenser.

 

The shop did a vacuum test today on the A/C. They discharged and recharged the system and it held the vacuum pressure for 30 minutes. Based upon that, there must be a very small leak. They put a die in the system and next time it needs to be recharged, we should be able to pin point it. Since the system held during the vacuum test, the tech said it could be years before I am back. $130 total .... quite pleased as I was braced for a compressor.

 

glad to hear that!

 

that seems odd, vehicles take a specific amount of refrigerant, so when the tech evacuated the system he should have known right away if it was low or not, if it wasnt low (which by the description it looks like that) then it must be something else,

but at least there is dye in the system

 

It was low on refrigerant, which is why they did the vacuum test to see how bad the leak is/was. But, he said because it passed the vacuum test, the leak will be so slow, it could be another 4-5 years before I am back. And, with the die in the system, they will know where the problem lies.

 

Glad to hear you didn't have to replace the compressor. Hope the A/C stays nice and cool for you.

 

Glad you didn't have to replace the compressor like I did. If your RX is still under warranty,
take it back within a week and let the tech use the UV light to pin point where the leak
is and have it repair right away.