AC not working

[funks81]

My air conditioning is no longer working on my Toyota Avensis Tourer 2015 2.0 126bhp.  The compressor clutch doesn't seem to engage when the AC is turned on.  I'm wondering if anyone could advise whether this is replaceable or if I would need an new compressor.  I have read lots of posts of people using shorter belts to bypass the AC - unfortunately I could really do with it working as we normally go to France on holiday each summer.

[Stivino]

The most common reason is that the system is low on gas. i.e. it will have a leak.  It could be a big leak like a burst pipe or a tiny leak that has lost the gas over a long period of time.  Either way, you won't know until it has been tested.

If you have no knowledge of A/C systems, either get a mobile A/C person to come to you or, take your car to a garage that does A/C.

Forget shorter belts.

[funks81]

I don't have knowledge of AC systems and was intending to get this repaired professionally.  However, wanted to go in with a bit of an idea what I was looking at.  Having had a look at the compressor - the clutch does not seem to engage and I was wondering whether this part was separately replaceable (if this was the fault) or whether I'd require and entire compressor.  AC has been relatively recently regassed and had been working since then.

[Stivino]

The clutch won't engage if it is low on gas, there is a pressure switch to prevent it operating on low gas.

If it has recently been re-gassed, I would suggest that you have a very slow leak that wasn't found before being re-gassed.

How long ago was it re-gassed?

[TonyHSD]

If you are trying to use ac in cold weather and particularly air temperatures of 4C° and below this is what exactly happens, the ac light will illuminate but the compressor will not start, it’s a safety function. Usually when colder than 10C° you don’t want to deal with AC’s. Best to wait two weeks when weather warms up again and then you can book an ac check with garage. 👍

[funks81]

If it was the AC compressor clutch though - is this part replaceable on my car?

[Stivino]

Yes

[alan333]

If you’re reasonably confident under the bonnet there’s a quick check you can do to find out if the system holds gas pressure.  Locate the air con pipes, usually aluminium, they go to the front to a thing which looks like a radiator, and is next to/joined to the radiator.  On one pipe there will be a valve, like a car tyre valve but a bit bigger.  Press the centre like you would a tyre valve- if gas escapes your system is intact, if not then it has no gas.  If gas escapes, it might not have enough so first thing would be to get re-gassed.  If there's no gas you need to get it tested to find out why.   Beware the small amount of gas escaping and protect your eyes etc.  

[2009joe]

41 minutes ago, alan333 said:

If you’re reasonably confident under the bonnet there’s a quick check you can do to find out if the system holds gas pressure.  Locate the air con pipes, usually aluminium, they go to the front to a thing which looks like a radiator, and is next to/joined to the radiator.  On one pipe there will be a valve, like a car tyre valve but a bit bigger.  Press the centre like you would a tyre valve- if gas escapes your system is intact, if not then it has no gas.  If gas escapes, it might not have enough so first thing would be to get re-gassed.  If there's no gas you need to get it tested to find out why.   Beware the small amount of gas escaping and protect your eyes etc.  

Plus I seen online that Toyota Scotty kilmer guy he says get one of those ac gass tins with a guage on it but out in America those tins of AC is cheap here is expensive with a valve on it