98 Avalon AC Compressor stops-light blinks

Avalon98 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2006, 07:59 AM

My ac starts for few seconds then compressor shuts off and ac dash light blinks. Blower fans still works but no air conditioning. It has a full ac freon charge. Taken to auto ac specialist and couldnt help saying it was electrical. Anyone know what the next step is to determine whats causing this?

TS Support · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon98

My ac starts for few seconds then compressor shuts off and ac dash light blinks. Blower fans still works but no air conditioning. It has a full ac freon charge. Taken to auto ac specialist and couldnt help saying it was electrical. Anyone know what the next step is to determine whats causing this?

A blinking AC light may be the result of problems associated with the Compressor, Drive belt, Compressor lock sensor or A/C amplifier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon98

Is there anyway to test the compressor lock sensor and the ac amplifier and where are they located?

see attached

Avalon98 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2006, 09:44 AM

Thank you very much for the information you supplied with the ac amplifier and compressor lock sensor. I will be inspecting both sytems and hope to resolve the problem.
Noel

Avalon98 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 03:41 PM

98 Avalon AC light blinks after few seconds and then compressor clutch stops. No cold ac air is felt and No noises are heard at the compressor. But when i jumpwire and bypass the ac compressor magnetic relay the compressor works. Has freon and ac specialist said its good and that the problem ius electrical and has to be taken to dealer. Anyone know what could cause this? I was told that maybe the compressor lock sensor or the ac amplifier is that true and how do i know which one and how do i repair or is it something else that causing this problem?
any info would be greatly appreciated i dont want to be taken for a ripoff ride. i can be emailed also at detnycpd@aol.com
Thanks

Avalon98 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 08:26 AM

Where exactly is the compressor lock sensor located and how is it checked? Also what procedure is used to remove and replace without causing any damage to comoressor or system?

Avalon98 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 08:40 AM

When i jumped the wires at the magnetic clutch relay with the relay removed the ac compressor operates and throws cold air but when i reinstall the relay compressor does not operate or throw cold air. Also the ac dash switch light blinks. . The AC auto specialist insspected and said that the compressor is good and that it is an electrical problem and they dont do electrical.I need help in pin pointing the problem if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.
98 Toyota Avalon XLS

Mike Murrell · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon98

The AC auto specialist insspected and said that the compressor is good and that it is an electrical problem and they dont do electrical.

One thing is for sure. This "A/C specialist" is not a specialist and should not be working on cars. In today's world, an in-depth knowledge of electricity/auto electronics is prerequisite to working on automobiles.

Here's my take. The car is 8 yrs. old. Not ancient, but not new. Your jumpering test has isolated the problem - faulty relay. Now why is it faulty?

a. excessive current draw.
b. age - heat under the hood does take it's toll after awhile.

I would find another auto tech who knows what he's doing and determine if excessive current took out the relay. I've not experienced this with a/c systems, but have seen an aging fuel pump draw to much and kill the fuel pump relay. This could also happen to any other circuit of similar design.

A legitimate analysis will allow you to procede in the right direction.

Avalon98 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 09:22 AM

Dash AC light switch blinking and compressor does not operate. AC clutch magnetic relay changed and still compressor not operating but when i jumpwire at the relay connector box without the relay in place the compressor works and ac operates. This is for 98 Avalon with auto a/c. Can anyone could help me with this problem. ?????

mustang67408 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 05:37 PM

Take some Brake cleaner or carb cleaner and spray the A/C clutch and coil, try to wash out the years of yuck that may have collected in there. Then blow it dry with air.
If it starts working then there is a corrosion problem in the clutch/coil assy and the magnetic part of the clutch is not strong enough to engauge, causing the A/C ECU to think it is slipping and canceling the operation.

If it doesnt work then there is usually a problem with the Compressor, clutch and coil or a wire running to ecu.

Avalon98 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 08:09 AM

where can i find the speed sensor and the compressor lock sensor on my 98 avalon? how easy is it to replace?

mustang67408 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 09:21 AM

You have to remove the a/c compressor, flip it on its side.The sensor un bolts out and then re-install, recharge system. If any oil leaks out when you remove the sensor located in the bottom of the compressor, you have to add oil back into the system.
There are no PDF's showing how to do this job, sorry.
That part is approx $60 + evac and recharge.

TS Support · #12 (**permalink**) 08-26-2006, 08:05 AM

Duplicate threads merged

ajvol · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:22 PM

Same problem with my 97 Avalon AC. AC will work sometimes (works better when temperature is lower), but AC light will eventually start blinking and compressor turns off. I can toggle AC switch to get it working again, but it is very sporadic. Not sure if this is electrical or mechanical problem.

I took it to a repair shop and they wanted $1200 to replace the compressor and the AC clutch assembly. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion.

Did you ever get the correct diagnosis for this problem?

AJ

stehrster · #14 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 06:02 AM

Speed sensor on the compressor is most likely bad. When it senses a variation in speeds from the compressor and drive belt, it shuts the compressor down to prevent seizure and or belt breakage, and it blinks the AC light on the dash. The light blinking is the key. Light does not blink if the system is leaking, low on refrigerant or just a mechanical problem. It only blinks to signify an electronic issue and it is usually the speed sensor on the AC. I don't know if it can be replaced individually or if it is built into the compressor itself, but I do know, regardless of how you slice it, it costs around 800 bucks, give or take to make your AC work again.

I just went through this with my 99 Avalon.

And just to comment, this Avalon has the biggest piece of **** AC I have ever seen in any car I've owned. I've spent over 3000 dollars in AC repairs in the past two years.

And it just stopped working again TODAY. After being repaired under warranty for the Compressor/Speed Sensor not even a month ago.

stehrster · #15 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 08:57 PM

Okay, so I owe the car sort of an apology. This time anyway. It wasn't the car, it was crappy parts that the dealer installed on the car when it went in for the last warranty AC replacement.

It was the compressor clutch that failed. When they replaced the compressor last time, he went ahead and replaced the clutch too, even though he said it didn't need it. He just figured he'd go ahead and replace it so that it would be new, along with the new compressor. Well, apparently the clutch part was bad, and it failed, within two months of being installed. It was throwing 15 amps and the AC circuit fuse is a 10 amp.

They replaced the clutch and it's fine now. And it was covered under warranty.

Anyway, just wanted to post the resolution in case it might help someone head in the right direction if they run into the same problem.

I just have to add; it's amazing at the incredibly LOW quality of automotive parts today. I see more and more major automotive replacement components failing after only months of use. That's really sad, ya know?