03 Corolla AC issues

[dja4260]

My girlfriends mom has an 03 Corolla. It is in rough shape and not well maintained.

2 weeks ago the AC stopped working. I listened and wasn't able to hear the compressor engage. I figure it can be a number of things such as the compressor, relay?, compressor clutch etc.

Anyone have any previous experience with this car and its AC system or common issues?

Thanks,

 

[Errtt]

I don't know about that particular car, but the system on many must have a minimal amount of pressure (freon) that allows a circuit to complete allowing the clutch to engage. If it's to low on pressure (freon), then nothing happens - add freon and see if the clutch engages - may have to evac the system for allowing the system to work properly. If you know where the pressure switch is, some you can jump for a second to see if the clutch works.
Make sure the belt to drive it is okay.

 

[JHZR2]

Does she run AC year round? If not, could be a bad seal.

Jumper the underpressure switch and see if the compressor engages. If so, you know your culprit.

If pressure got that low, Id really want to have a pro replace the receiver/dryer, fix the leak, vacuum the system down way low, and then refill.

If anything else is broken causing the need for repair, those basic steps are still best practice. Just that its not as simple as a seal or something else.

Tracing down leaks is best done with a combo of N2 and R22 or an ozone friendly refrigerant. There are methodologies on how to do this elsewhere on the net. Ive been lucky enough to not have to go those routes...

 

[SrDriver]

Recommend that she find a shop that specializes in that kind of work as they have the equipment for making the necessary repairs.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Recommend that she find a shop that specializes in that kind of work as they have the equipment for making the necessary repairs.


That is what I told her since I don't have the knowledge and experience to fix it myself.

 

[Bgallagher]

Check the pressure and see if it needs any freon. If it is low it will cause the compressor to not operate. If not it sounds like the compressor might be shot. Given it is a 2003 and not in that great of shape I would tell her to use natures air conditioner (i.e. windows down.) AC repair can be costly.....

 

[friendly_jacek]

The 03-05 Corollas had problems with stones puncturing AC condenser (poor protection). Check for that before doing anything else.

 

[dja4260]

^^

 

[mikered30]

Try swapping the MG CLT (AC)relay with the horn or fog relay. Fuse box is next to the battery and the underside of the lid shows the relay locations. It is somewhat common to the the AC relay go bad on this generation, luckily the horn or fog light relay work in a pinch to diagnose. The tyco MG CLT from the dealer is way expensive. If that doesnt work, look for staining on the condenser. Pretty sure that the relay is bad or the condenser is punctured, as those are the most common issues with that generation.

If those dont work, pressures are: 25-40 psi on the low side and 200-250 on the high side, depending on the outside temp. High should be 2.5 times the outside temp. This is with the engine running at 1500 RPM.

Does the green AC light come on? Does the low line under the hood get cool at all?

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
The 03-05 Corollas had problems with stones puncturing AC condenser (poor protection). Check for that before doing anything else.


Happened to someone I know as well.

 

[mikered30]

So what was the outcome?