Aircon Stopped Working In Avensis 1999

[Rav4ster]

Hi guys,

I have 1999 Avensis with 1.8 lean burn engine and a manual air condition system.

Usually I will start defrosting my car by putting heater temperature to a maximum and a high fan speed.

Then, as I drive off, I will reduce temperature and fan speed and put aircon on and recycle air inside the car (aircon gets rid of condensation)

It was fine today for the first half hour when I was driving in a city, but when I drove on motorway aircon stopped working and car steamed up. I had to use fresh air, but it stinks from diesel fumes.

It was -12C when I left the house.

So, my question is:

Is there some kind of safety switch that stops aircon pump from working below certain temperature, it obviously got a lot colder under the bonnet at 70 mph?

Or is aircon broken now?

I will try aircon again when it gets a bit warmer, but any advice is appreciated.

Andy

[igormus]

Hi guys,

I have 1999 Avensis with 1.8 lean burn engine and a manual air condition system.

Usually I will start defrosting my car by putting heater temperature to a maximum and a high fan speed.

Then, as I drive off, I will reduce temperature and fan speed and put aircon on and recycle air inside the car (aircon gets rid of condensation)

It was fine today for the first half hour when I was driving in a city, but when I drove on motorway aircon stopped working and car steamed up. I had to use fresh air, but it stinks from diesel fumes.

It was -12C when I left the house.

So, my question is:

Is there some kind of safety switch that stops aircon pump from working below certain temperature, it obviously got a lot colder under the bonnet at 70 mph?

Or is aircon broken now?

I will try aircon again when it gets a bit warmer, but any advice is appreciated.

Andy

hi mate

it looks strange ---- by the way - what was its perormance in general? There are no safety switch but only standard contro button as ON/OFF that either switches A/C compressor or wise. Any gas leaks have been detected before? It might be one reason but I am not sure unless to have your reply connected with lleak.

CHeers/Igor

[BALIKBAYAN]

No, it will not get colder under the bonnet in any speed. It is only the human skin that feel it like it is colder when there is a wind. If the wind should lower the temperature the thermometer should give us a false reading when it is blowing. There a tables to go from actual temperature and wind to get wich temperature it feels like for the human body.

I believe your aircon did get frosen. Try to start it when it is a bit warmer. An aircon change the refrigeration fluid from fluid to gas and then back to fluid. All fluids do get frosen at different temperatures. Remember that the aircon pipes should have been colder than the outside airtemp too.

[Jamesbelfast]

As with any refrideration system when the temperature of the condensor matches or is lower than the temperature of the evaporator the cooling process is reduced to very little indeed.

Some sytems have an automatic shut off before this point occurs

[Rav4ster]

Hi Igor,

System was regassed last July and had a new aircon radiator put in.

Overall aircon performance was OK and I always use aircone in winter with recycled air.

Strange thing is that aircon stopped working while I was driving (was caught out by steamed windows on motorway)

I have tested aircon again when it was about -2C and aircon compressor still does not engage.

Will have to wait when it becomes warmer and need to hope that this is just a gas that escaped from the system and this is why aircon compressor does not start.

Andy

[igormus]

Hi Igor,

System was regassed last July and had a new aircon radiator put in.

Overall aircon performance was OK and I always use aircone in winter with recycled air.

Strange thing is that aircon stopped working while I was driving (was caught out by steamed windows on motorway)

I have tested aircon again when it was about -2C and aircon compressor still does not engage.

Will have to wait when it becomes warmer and need to hope that this is just a gas that escaped from the system and this is why aircon compressor does not start.

Andy

Andy

You can undestand what can be the worse, but i still think ( wonna suspect) there might be a litte of air inside the circuit as remained and that could be converted in ice having blocked throttle valve. once it happened there might be a safety system in the compressor to switch its valves as for internal circuit to prevent general damage of the compressor. There might be another probem with throttle valve.That is what i deem. Try to adjust the max temp and wait untill the system will be heated up. Try to turn ON again. The more temp level adjusting the less degree of throttle orifice closing --- it must to work.

Good luck + revert with result/Igor