Hello from newbie
 

Hello,
I am new here. We have a 2001 L200 sedan with 68,000 miles. Been a great car. Only have replaced brakes, rotors, and ignition lock cylinder. I use mobil one 5W30 and Wix oil filters.

My AC is not working properly. The compressor would not come on. I checked the freon, it was low. I added freon, now the compressor runs but will not blow cold air from the vents. The radiator fans will not run until the coolant temp turns them on. Should both fans be running when the AC is on? What controls the fans when the AC is on. Bad relay? I unplugged the pressure switch on the high side, and the compressor turned off, so I think the pressure switch is good.

Thanks in advance for your help.

John

Update
 

Hi Folks,
Just wanted to say.... I did search the FAQ's and did a forum search for keywords pertaining to the AC System and radiator fans... Could not find a thread on my particular problem.... I don't want to waste anyone's time.... Thanks again,
John

welcome.

No personal experience with L car HVAC -- I'm sure someone else will chime in

Did you get enough 134A into the system? What are the high and low side numbers?
I would guess one or both fans would come on when the A/C compressor comes on. As the temps rise the second fan should come on.
If no fan comes on with the a/c then you may want to check fuses and relays. Look in the fuses box's for relays. Read the bottom of the lid. Most times one or more relays are the same so you'd be able to swap one out for another to do a simple test.

Fans
 

The fans come on when the coolant temp gets high enough so I think the relays are good. I did not check the high side, but the low side was 35 PSI. The fans used to run whenever the AC was on before this happened. There is a fan control module in front of the battery, if I can get a cheap used one at the local LKQ, i'll swap it out. Rock Auto doesn't list it, must be a dealer item. I don't want to throw parts at it, but it will take about one minute to change if I find one.

1) I think the pressure switch is good, the freon was low, as soon as I added some, the compressor kicked on.
2) The radiator fans run based on coolant temp, they just won't run with the AC control.
3) It could be a plugged filter/drier or orifice tube, but I think if that was the case, the pressure would spike and shut the compressor off.
4)The air gets hot if you turn the temp knob to the right, I don't think it's a stuck air door/mixing door.

Thanks for your replies. I will post with results if I can find a fan control module. I can't think of anything else it could be.

John

I wish I could help, but I'm not a mechanic and don't know diddly about a/c repairs.

took the car to a local shop that does AC repairs. They said there is a small hole in the condenser, that is why the system was not working. I had them evacuate what was left and I ordered a new condenser from Rockauto. The shop wanted almost $600 to fix it. I'm going to replace the condenser and take it back in to be refilled.

I thought it was odd because when I was adding refrigerant, it would not take any more. I did not hold the can upside down though, maybe that's why, it was only taking gas. Hopefully this is all that's wrong.....

John

Post back and let us know if that fixes your problem. And stick around. There's a lot of great information here and friendly folks too.

I received the new condenser, put it in last night. Pretty easy, only a few bolts/brackets holding the condenser and pusher fan in place. I am taking the car back in to have it recharged tomorrow.

Then tie rod ends, struts, and two new tires. Then she will be like new again!!

John

Had the AC shop pull a vacuum and recharge the system. She blows nice and cold now!! Thanks for the input.....

John