I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
used it with no problems.
Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
have affected the working of the A/C.
I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
Thanks.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:47:22 +0000, bastXXXette wrote:
> I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
> This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
> fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
> with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
> windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
> used it with no problems.
> Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
> replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
> thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
> but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
> too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
> a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
> have affected the working of the A/C.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
> Thanks.
When was the last time you used the AC.
Yes, it is possible that while replacing the timing belt they may have
disconnected one of the hoses, but it’s unlikely. Since the car is a ’97,
it would seem the AC would come on with the defroster, and this does two
things: it dries the air to the windsheild, making defogging more
efficient, and it keeps the freon and oil circulating and keeping the
seals fresh.
You could ‘test’ the system by pushing the Scraeder valve and see if any
gas escapes, or take it to an AC shop you trust and have them measure the
amount of gas in the system.
hachiroku <Tru…@ae86.gts> wrote:
> When was the last time you used the AC.
Not sure exactly, but probably sometime in March, before I had the
timing belt replaced. As I said, I use it during the winter to defog
the windows. I live in the San Francisco area, so winter = rain and
fogged-up windows, not icy temps.
> Yes, it is possible that while replacing the timing belt they may have
> disconnected one of the hoses, but it’s unlikely. Since the car is a ’97,
> it would seem the AC would come on with the defroster
It doesn’t come on automatically, no. I have to push the A/C button
explicitly.
> You could ‘test’ the system by pushing the Scraeder valve and see if any
> gas escapes, or take it to an AC shop you trust and have them measure the
> amount of gas in the system.
Thanks, I’ll get this checked out.
You need service. Your car has a R134a System, and you can buy a can of
juice and a gauge that is attached to the Low Pressure side of the system.
The system has a Low Pressure port and a High Pressure port, the ports are
different sizes and you cannot connect to the wrong port.
The can of juice has very explicit directions on how to put it in. The can
comes in two sizes, 14.5 oz and 29 oz.
The system has a fail safe in it where it shuts itself down if the juice
(pressure) drops too low. Typically, the car only needs the 14.5 oz can for
routine service where you catch the pressure drop before the drop gets so
low as to activate the fail safe, if the fail safe is activated, it is
common to need two 14.5 oz cans, hence they are available in a 29 oz can. I
once was prepared to buy two 14.5 oz cans and struggle with a crappy gauge
that could not be connected while the can was connected — I had to connect
the gauge, read it, connect the can, squirt some juice in, connect the gauge
and read it, and repeat. Anyhow, the next display was a 29 oz can with the
guage mounted in line, and I can connect the hose to any can and to any car,
and the whole thing was only one dollar more than what I was getting ready
to spend. My car used the entirety of the 29 oz can, and this put the gauge
at precisely the correct point.
<bastXXXe…@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:4803c2da$0$36355$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
> This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
> fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
> with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
> windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
> used it with no problems.
> Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
> replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
> thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
> but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
> too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
> a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
> have affected the working of the A/C.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
> Thanks.
<bastXXXe…@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:4803d333$0$36380$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> hachiroku <Tru…@ae86.gts> wrote:
> > When was the last time you used the AC.
> Not sure exactly, but probably sometime in March, before I had the
> timing belt replaced. As I said, I use it during the winter to defog
> the windows. I live in the San Francisco area, so winter = rain and
> fogged-up windows, not icy temps.
> > Yes, it is possible that while replacing the timing belt they may have
> > disconnected one of the hoses, but it’s unlikely. Since the car is a
> > ’97,
> > it would seem the AC would come on with the defroster
> It doesn’t come on automatically, no. I have to push the A/C button
> explicitly.
> > You could ‘test’ the system by pushing the Scraeder valve and see if any
> > gas escapes, or take it to an AC shop you trust and have them measure
> > the
> > amount of gas in the system.
> Thanks, I’ll get this checked out.
Does the AC pulley turn when you turn it on? Does the coil wire show
battery voltage? Only then do you do a pressure test, but very
carefully better get a knowledgeable friend.
On Apr 14, 1:47 pm, bastXXXe…@sonic.net wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
> This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
> fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
> with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
> windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
> used it with no problems.
> Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
> replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
> thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
> but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
> too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
> a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
> have affected the working of the A/C.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
> Thanks.
hachi is right, for decades most ACs just swing out of the way if even
need to be touched. So don’t jump on the mechanic just yet. It’s
possible that a wire was knocked loose (often after work). So check
those even before going into pressure.
For reference, check FAQs on the AC site: http://www.id-usa.com
On Apr 14, 1:47 pm, bastXXXe…@sonic.net wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
> This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
> fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
> with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
> windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
> used it with no problems.
> Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
> replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
> thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
> but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
> too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
> a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
> have affected the working of the A/C.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
> Thanks.
<bastXXXe…@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:4803c2da$0$36355$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
> This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
> fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
> with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
> windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
> used it with no problems.
> Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> Also, on the same day when they replaced the timing belt, they also
> replaced the thermostat, because the car was running cold. The old
> thermostat was stuck open (or closed – I don’t remember which is which,
> but it was stuck in whichever position indicates that the engine is
> too hot, when in fact, it was always cold). Now, the engine runs at
> a good temperature, right in the middle. I don’t know if that might
> have affected the working of the A/C.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
> Thanks.
There are several things you can check yourself if you know what the A/C
components look like.
If you are not familiar with the compressor and receiver/drier, go to
http://www.autozone.com, click on the vehicle repair guides link, and look up your
car. The AC repair info is in the chassis electrical section.
First, see if the accessory drive belt is installed on the AC compressor
pulley and that the plug for the wire for the compressor is plugged in.
When you engage the AC system, the clutch on the compressor pulley should
engage and the drive belt should turn the compressor.
If that stuff is OK, turn on the AC, set the temp to full cold, fan on full
high, and look at the sight glass in the receiver/drier. It should look
like clear water flowing past the glass. If you see foam or nothing at all,
the system needs charging. If the system is really low on refrigerant, the
low pressure safety switch will prevent the AC clutch from engaging to
prevent damage to the compressor.
—
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Ray O <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> There are several things you can check yourself if you know what the A/C
> components look like.
> If you are not familiar with the compressor and receiver/drier, go to
> http://www.autozone.com, click on the vehicle repair guides link, and look up your
> car. The AC repair info is in the chassis electrical section.
[snip]
Thank you for this very useful information. I’m a typical consumer who
knows only a few things about auto mechanics. Air conditioning is not
included. This is the first car I’ve owned that’s even had it, and it
hasn’t broken down before now. So even the terminology is brand new to
me.
Thanks!
On Apr 15, 2:50 pm, bastXXXe…@sonic.net wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Ray O <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> > There are several things you can check yourself if you know what the A/C
> > components look like.
> > If you are not familiar with the compressor and receiver/drier, go to
> >www.autozone.com, click on the vehicle repair guides link, and look up your
> > car. The AC repair info is in the chassis electrical section.
> [snip]
> Thank you for this very useful information. I’m a typical consumer who
> knows only a few things about auto mechanics. Air conditioning is not
> included. This is the first car I’ve owned that’s even had it, and it
> hasn’t broken down before now. So even the terminology is brand new to
> me.
> Thanks!
That’s how I learned best. I had some car trouble that I apparently
caused but I took it to about 3-4 independent shops and the dealer and
nobody could figure out what was wrong. Plenty of misdiagnoses, a
couple parts repaired that I do not believe were the problem, and then
even the GM of the dealership said maybe I should trade it in — this
on a car with less than 100k on the odometer and was owned less than a
year at that point.
Ended up being the dealer found a dirty/cracked injector. It took
more than 3-4 shops and the dealer two or three visits to FINALLY
figure that out. Trust me — I did a lot of research on my own and
even had suggested the injectors only to be told that wasn’t likely.
They refused to check a lot of things I suggested — even though —
get this — even though it was OBVIOUS not much of their analysis did
anything. Not even the ‘Master Technician’ seemed to be able to
figure mine out.
After they replaced that faulty injector, bam no problems. However,
due to this incident I learned a lot about how a car runs from this
group, a Haynes manual, and lots of reading. Honestly, had I not done
reading and realized I had a fixable problem, I might have been
inclined to give up. It’s not like I am or was made of money and most
had me convinced this problem was just straight un-fixable and I
didn’t have the money to keep taking it to shops only to get told ‘we
can’t find the problem.’
Good luck!
<bastXXXe…@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:4805231f$0$36374$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Ray O <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> > There are several things you can check yourself if you know what the A/C
> > components look like.
> > If you are not familiar with the compressor and receiver/drier, go to
> > http://www.autozone.com, click on the vehicle repair guides link, and look up
> > your
> > car. The AC repair info is in the chassis electrical section.
> [snip]
> Thank you for this very useful information. I’m a typical consumer who
> knows only a few things about auto mechanics. Air conditioning is not
> included. This is the first car I’ve owned that’s even had it, and it
> hasn’t broken down before now. So even the terminology is brand new to
> me.
> Thanks!
You’re welcome! Stick around here and you’ll learn a little about Toyotas
if you’re willing to wade through all the OT stuff.
—
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
bastXXXe…@sonic.net wrote:
> I have a ’97 Corolla, and had the timing belt replaced last month.
>This past weekend, I turned on the A/C and received nothing but the
>fan blowing air. Prior to having that work done, I had no problems
>with the A/C at all – and I do use it during the winter, to defog the
>windows during rain, etc. So it hasn’t been that long since I last
>used it with no problems.
>Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
>they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
>breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
>working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
>timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> I called and asked the mechanic about it today, and predictably, his
> answer was no, that wouldn’t be affected. I’m not saying he’s lying,
> but I did expect that the answer would automatically be "No, we’re
> not responsible for that problem" – when in fact, maybe they are?
I believe on that car, replacement of the timing belt requires
swinging the A/C compressor out of the way, and if the hoses were
twisted quite a bit in the process, their fittings could have leaked.
It’s highly unlikely the garage didn’t cause the failure.
rantonr…@mail.com <rantonr…@mail.com> wrote:
> >Is it possible that, in the process of the work on the timing belt,
> >they might have unhooked the A/C somehow? There was no period of
> >breakdown, where the A/C functioned, but poorly, before it stopped
> >working altogether. Nothing sounds wrong or smells wrong. Before the
> >timing belt work, the A/C worked perfectly, and now, nothing.
> I believe on that car, replacement of the timing belt requires
> swinging the A/C compressor out of the way, and if the hoses were
> twisted quite a bit in the process, their fittings could have leaked.
> It’s highly unlikely the garage didn’t cause the failure.
Just checking – are you saying it’s highly *unlikely* that they caused
the failure, or highly *likely* they caused it? Double negatives always
cause trouble.
Thanks.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> That’s how I learned best. I had some car trouble that I apparently
> caused but I took it to about 3-4 independent shops and the dealer and
> nobody could figure out what was wrong. Plenty of misdiagnoses, a
> couple parts repaired that I do not believe were the problem, and then
> even the GM of the dealership said maybe I should trade it in — this
> on a car with less than 100k on the odometer and was owned less than a
> year at that point.
> Ended up being the dealer found a dirty/cracked injector. It took
> more than 3-4 shops and the dealer two or three visits to FINALLY
> figure that out. Trust me — I did a lot of research on my own and
> even had suggested the injectors only to be told that wasn’t likely.
> They refused to check a lot of things I suggested — even though —
> get this — even though it was OBVIOUS not much of their analysis did
> anything. Not even the ‘Master Technician’ seemed to be able to
> figure mine out.
> After they replaced that faulty injector, bam no problems. However,
> due to this incident I learned a lot about how a car runs from this
> group, a Haynes manual, and lots of reading. Honestly, had I not done
> reading and realized I had a fixable problem, I might have been
> inclined to give up. It’s not like I am or was made of money and most
> had me convinced this problem was just straight un-fixable and I
> didn’t have the money to keep taking it to shops only to get told ‘we
> can’t find the problem.’
> Good luck!-
It is nice that your story had a happy ending. In the ‘old days’ –
maybe even up to the mid 90′s – many or most performance problems
could be solved with a conventional tune up. Unfortunately, with
today’s complex cars too often a ‘performance problem’ (ie. ignition,
fuel, emissions) truly can’t be fixed. The flat rate system at most
shops works against a thoughtful diagnosis – and customers will often
rebel against 2 -3 hours of tech time just to find a problem plus the
often expensive cost of todays parts. Fortunately, w/today’s cars
those systems are pretty reliable – but may the gods of autmobiles
take pity on anyone who does find their car with a ‘performance’
problem!
<ep45…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1052a623-a388-428a-bbef-e77c0a55c32b@a22g2000hsc.googlegroups.com…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> That’s how I learned best. I had some car trouble that I apparently
> caused but I took it to about 3-4 independent shops and the dealer and
> nobody could figure out what was wrong. Plenty of misdiagnoses, a
> couple parts repaired that I do not believe were the problem, and then
> even the GM of the dealership said maybe I should trade it in — this
> on a car with less than 100k on the odometer and was owned less than a
> year at that point.
> Ended up being the dealer found a dirty/cracked injector. It took
> more than 3-4 shops and the dealer two or three visits to FINALLY
> figure that out. Trust me — I did a lot of research on my own and
> even had suggested the injectors only to be told that wasn’t likely.
> They refused to check a lot of things I suggested — even though —
> get this — even though it was OBVIOUS not much of their analysis did
> anything. Not even the ‘Master Technician’ seemed to be able to
> figure mine out.
> After they replaced that faulty injector, bam no problems. However,
> due to this incident I learned a lot about how a car runs from this
> group, a Haynes manual, and lots of reading. Honestly, had I not done
> reading and realized I had a fixable problem, I might have been
> inclined to give up. It’s not like I am or was made of money and most
> had me convinced this problem was just straight un-fixable and I
> didn’t have the money to keep taking it to shops only to get told ‘we
> can’t find the problem.’
> Good luck!-
It is nice that your story had a happy ending. In the ‘old days’ –
maybe even up to the mid 90′s – many or most performance problems
could be solved with a conventional tune up. Unfortunately, with
today’s complex cars too often a ‘performance problem’ (ie. ignition,
fuel, emissions) truly can’t be fixed. The flat rate system at most
shops works against a thoughtful diagnosis – and customers will often
rebel against 2 -3 hours of tech time just to find a problem plus the
often expensive cost of todays parts. Fortunately, w/today’s cars
those systems are pretty reliable – but may the gods of autmobiles
take pity on anyone who does find their car with a ‘performance’
problem!
******************
Fortunately, engines still need the same 3 things to run as they did 30
years ago – air, fuel, and a source of ignition, and Ohm’s law has not
changed. Keeping those two basic thoughts in mind when diagnosing a problem
works wonders, even in a modern vehicle.
—
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
bastXXXe…@sonic.net wrote:
> rantonr…@mail.com <rantonr…@mail.com> wrote:
>>I believe on that car, replacement of the timing belt requires
>>swinging the A/C compressor out of the way, and if the hoses were
>>twisted quite a bit in the process, their fittings could have leaked.
>>It’s highly unlikely the garage didn’t cause the failure.
>Just checking – are you saying it’s highly *unlikely* that they caused
>the failure, or highly *likely* they caused it? Double negatives always
>cause trouble.
Sorry. It’s highly likely the garage caused the failure.