Where do i begin on investigation? Was fine a week ago. 50k miles on a 2004.

 

Is your compressor's clutch engaging? You should be able to hear it engage/disengage by turning the AC on and off (having someone else do it while you listen in the engine bay). Then while you're under check the sight glass to see if it's full of freon or not. Then pull codes if any are present. There may be an active code related to AC not working.

That's a start. For anything more you'll need an actual AC machine (or access to one) to drain the system before you replace anything. If you suspect a leak then you can inject dye into the system and use a blacklight to see where it's coming out. Also depending on age you may just need to refill and not have any leak at all.

 

The clutch does engage, what do you think we need to look at next? Is it a dealer thing? ALso how is best to pull codes?

 

Just a data point: my 2002 at 158k miles needed new a/c compressor, condensor & dryer. 2 years later still working great...

 

Are you going to try and fix it yourself, or just educate your self so the repair place doesn't try and cheat you?

There is a self diagnostic in the AC system. Follow these instructions to get to it.
1) Simultaneously press and hold AUTO and recirculated air

switches. See Fig. 2. Turn ignition on. All indicators will flash 4

times, at one-second intervals. Tone will sound when indicators flash.

2) A/C system will enter self-diagnostic mode. To end

indicator check, press and release OFF switch. Read codes at

temperature display.

3) If trouble code is displayed, proceed to appropriate

trouble shooting procedure. See DIAGNOSTIC CODE IDENTIFICATION table.

Codes are displayed in ascending order. To slow rate at which codes

are displayed, press fresh air button to change display to step

operation. Each time fresh air button is pressed, display changes by

one step.

4) If tone sounds as code is displayed, problem currently

exists. If tone does not sound as code is displayed, problem occurred

in past and does not presently exist.

Code Diagnosis

00 ................................................ Normal

11 (1) ............. In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor Circuit

12 (2) ................ Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit

13 ................. Evaporator Temperature Sensor Circuit

14 .................... Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit

21 (3) .............................. Solar Sensor Circuit

22 (4) .................... Compressor Lock Sensor Circuit

23 (4) ........................... Pressure Switch Circuit

31 .................. Air Mix Door Position Sensor Circuit

32 ................ Air Inlet Door Position Sensor Circuit

33 ............... Air Outlet Door Position Sensor Circuit

41 ....................... Air Mix Door Servomotor Circuit

42 ..................... Air Inlet Door Servomotor Circuit

43 .................... Air Outlet Door Servomotor Circuit

(1) - If in-vehicle temperature is -4 F (-20 C) or less,

Code 11 may set even though system is normal.

(2) - If outside air temperature is -58 F (-50 C) or less,

Code 12 may occur set though system is normal.

(3) - If testing is done in a dark area, Code 21 may set

even though system is normal. Shine a light at solar

sensor and recheck codes.

(4) - Malfunction is current. Code is not stored in memory.

ACTUATOR CHECK

1) Perform step 1) of RETRIEVING CODES. When system enters

self-diagnostic mode, press recirculated air button. Each mode door,

motor, and relay will operate at one-second intervals. Press fresh air

button to display codes one at a time, and perform step-by-step

actuator check.

2) Check airflow and temperature by hand. Tone will sound

each time display code changes. Each display code is associated with a

system operating condition. See Fig. 3 or 4. Press OFF button to

cancel actuator check mode.

Your problem might just be you have a bad o ring and enough R134 leaked out of your system your compressor won't kick in. If you like to do things yourself, you can get a can of R134 with a gauge on it and try to replace it yourself

 

Thanks, where is fig 2 so i can do this test! This is awesome. Thanks - Samantha

 

So i ran the test and the errors were 21 and 24.
21 is solar
24 is pressure switch circuit.

What do i do about #24?

 

You can look at this chart and go down to error 24
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...uble-codes.pdf

But based on the sound of the error, either your sensor went out, or you don't have enough R134 in your system (or possibly too much)

I would follow the video I posted below to see if you have the correct pressure in your system.