Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

Troubleshooting AC system... need help reading sight gauge

AvidFlyer on Mon July 19, 2010 7:30 PM User is offline

Year: 1994
Make: Toyota
Model: 4Runner
Engine Size: 3.0 V6
Refrigerant Type: R134A

I have a 94 Toyota 4-runner that I've verified as being an R134 System by the sticker on the inside of the hood. The AC was working great and then just quit. The green light in my button still comes on but the compressor is not engaging. Talking to several people they said it's probably just low or out of Freon. I dug up a Factory Service Manual online and in the section about reading the sight gauge it just talks about bubbles. Mine has no bubbles but with nothing to compare it to I have no idea what I'm looking at. Below are a few pics of my sight gauge. I'm hoping that it's just low and I can recharge it myself. If it's not low then at least I can X that off the list and keep troubleshooting the rest of the system. Does this pic mean anything to anyone?



-------------------------
1994 4-Runner 3.0V6 5Speed

Edited: Mon July 19, 2010 at 7:35 PM by AvidFlyer

Bench on Mon July 19, 2010 7:56 PM User is offlineView users profile

I say you flush the system with water and anti-freeze. J/K. As I said on Y/T, these guys will help you out. Disregard the H2O & Antifreeze statement. I learned today that you may never get a clear site glass. Mine is clear as bell, and in spec. Welcome AvidFlyer, to the cool side.

Chick on Mon July 19, 2010 8:26 PM User is offlineView users profile

The sight glass can only be of help if the system is running, if not, there won't be any movement in it.. So first you need a set of gauges (Manifold set for AC repair) and determine what the system static pressure is.. If to low the compressor won't come on.. If high enough, then you check why power isn't getting to the clutch, if power is getting to the clutch, then you need to check the coil and clutch gap.. Could be as simple as a fuse or relay, or an empty system..get us more info and we'll go from there...

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

AvidFlyer on Mon July 19, 2010 9:10 PM User is offline

Thanks! I did run it today and with the clutch not engaging as expected there was no change. I also checked the 40amp fuse behind the glove compt. It was all corroded with some green stuff and thought I may have found the problem. I cleaned it up and checked it with a voltmeter and current is flowing so it's not that. Guess my next step is checking the pressure.

-------------------------
1994 4-Runner 3.0V6 5Speed

Chick on Mon July 19, 2010 9:41 PM User is offlineView users profile

Compressor fuse is usually around 10amps.. it may be in the underhood fuse/relay box if equipped...along with the relays...

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

AvidFlyer on Wed July 21, 2010 6:12 PM User is offline

I bit the bullet and took my Runner to a local shop today. It was low. After vacuuming it and filling it back up it works just fine. He was going to replace my dryer because it a $19 part but on the 4-Runner it's behind the grill and a huge PIA to get to. The system has worked great for the 10 years I"ve owned the rig and he didn't find any leaks under vacuum so hopefully I'll get lucky and it'll run another 10 years. Thanks for the responses and for being friendly as I know my question has probably been brough up many times before. I've bookmarked this page and will back if I ever have any AC issues again in the future.

-------------------------
1994 4-Runner 3.0V6 5Speed

Dougflas on Wed July 21, 2010 9:13 PM User is offline

Can we get away from saying anything about flushing with water or antifreeze on this forum? There are a lot of inexperienced readers that may take someone seriously and trash their system. I saw someone out a "J/K" after that statement. Some may not know that means "Just Kidding". Surely, you can see my point and I don't mean to give anyone a hard time. Some have spent a lot of money and we don't want to see them piss it away.

Bench on Thu July 22, 2010 9:01 AM User is offlineView users profile

Quote
Originally posted by: Dougflas
Can we get away from saying anything about flushing with water or antifreeze on this forum? There are a lot of inexperienced readers that may take someone seriously and trash their system. I saw someone out a "J/K" after that statement. Some may not know that means "Just Kidding". Surely, you can see my point and I don't mean to give anyone a hard time. Some have spent a lot of money and we don't want to see them piss it away.

My bad. No more water jokes

AvidFlyer on Thu July 22, 2010 3:44 PM User is offline

Looks like I jumped the gun on my post... AC stopped blowing cold before I even got home with the Runner. Took it back this morning and they found a pinhole in the condenser. He had no explanation how they missed it yesterday. So now I need a condenser and dryer and have to pull my entire grill out of the truck to change it which is no easy feat considering I have a Warn Winch and custom tube bumper also in the way....ahhh... Looking like my Runner is not going to have AC for a while. It's a purpose built rockcrawler and rarely sees the street anyways these days. I trailer it most of the time to the trails. Oh well it was nice while it lasted.

-------------------------
1994 4-Runner 3.0V6 5Speed

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.