Camry 1995 with 2,2 liter engine and 214 thousand miles.
I was reporting here intermittent problems with my air condition system - I had the light on the a/c button blinking and the system would shut itself off...
We were not sure what is the reason. Finally it is more consistent now to the point I am unable to get it going at all. As soon I turn it on, it tries to work and shortly after that it gives up and the light is blinking...
I opened the hood and ask my very nice female "assistant" to turn the a/c button when I watched the compressor clutch. I noticed that the internal wheel inside the clutch does not turn as fast as the external pulley. I think this is the reason for the speed sensor giving wrong signal and the protection kicks in - system turns itself off...
I think I have to deal with one of the following scenarios:
- clutch is misadjusted and does not engage fully enough
- clutch is worn out and does not engage fully enough
- compressor is worn out and gives too much of resistance.
Which scenario is the most likely ? Is there a diagnostic method to differentiate between clutch and compressor or you just replace both ?
On a side note, I had to loose the belt a little after guys in Toyota dealership tighten it way too much... It was so tight that the compressor pulley looked bend towards the engine and the compressor was slowly turning even when the compressor clutch was not engaged... That would help develop scenario #2 prematurely.
Any comments/suggestions ? What is your experience in this repair situation ?