4runnersRus

Hi, hopefully someone can help me out with my question. I drive a 95 4Runner 3.0. The end of last summer the AC started working intermitantly and is doing the same thing now. I know it's not freezing up because most of the time it doesn't work when you start the car so it has not had time to even get cold. When it does work it blows ice cold air so I at least know there is coolant in the system. I originally thought since the A/C would work ocasionally it was probably a switch or something but when I took it to a shop they looked at it for about 10 min and came back and said it could cost a couple thousand just to get the A/C running again because they don't know what the problem might be. I don't feel comfortable just saying "ok" see what you find. Anyone have any opinions as to what might be happening? Thanks in advance.

-Brian

98 Joes

I can tell it's getting to be summer with all the A/C questions.

Check your low side pressure. On a 95, you should have around 24 lbs on the low side. It could be that you just need a recharge. You can do it yourself with a kit from the local auto store. It's really easy. Don't overcharge it either or it won't work. See the pattern? There's about 15 lb window that the A/C will work in. Above or below that and either the low limit or the high limit switch will keep it from working. Since you said it works sometimes, I don't think it will take much to get it to work all the time. 90% of the time, it's low on charge, but some shops will take advantage of that and recommend major repairs when it's not neccessary.

4runnersRus

Thanks for the reply. I tried one of the Quick Cool cans from Napa to recharge the low side of the system but it didn't seem like it had enough pressure in the can to fill up the system. More of the coolant leaked out around the top of the can than went into the system. There was a good seal/connection around the valve so I'm not sure if I had a faulty can of coolant. I've heard a few people say that Autozone has the tools to check the coolant level and they let you borrow them. Will they help me hook it up at the store or is it something you loan from them and bring it back?

98 Joes

I don't know about that. I have a small gauge with a hose on it the fits the low side port. I bought it at my local auto store for about $15.00. Don't use the pencil tire gause looking ones, They're junk. If the NAPA store has real A/C gauges for you to use, by all means use them. They are way better than what you can buy. I gotta start going NAPA more often.