I just picked up a Toyota 4Runner from a buddy of mine. Its a 1994 4x4 V6 with an auto-tranny. Here is the issue with the AC. It works, but then sometimes it doesn't work. It's would seam that the clutch is not engaging. When I turn on the AC the clutch will try to engage the compressor pump, but it won't turn it over. The compressor will turn over, albiet very slow and more or less in a random manor.
I was checking a site on AC fixes, and they made a statement that most AC systems have a low refrigerant level safety system that prevents the pump from working. I am assuming this is to prevent the compressor pump from burning out.
Quote:
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Make sure the compressor is turning. Start the car, turn on the AC and look under the hood. The AC compressor is generally a pumplike thing off to one side with large rubber and steel hoses going to it. It will not have a filler cap on it, but will often have one or two things that look like the valve stems on a bike tire. The pulley on the front of the compressor exists as an outer pulley and an inner hub which turns when an electric clutch is engaged. If the AC is on and the blower is on, but the center of the pulley is not turning, then the compressor's clutch is not engaging. This could be a bad fuse, a wiring problem, a broken AC switch in your dash, or the system could be low on refrigerant (most systems have a low-pressure safety cutout that will disable the compressor if there isn't enough refrigerant in the system).
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http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Your-Car's-Air-Conditioner
So this makes me wonder if either the system is low on refrigerant, or if the clutch on the compressor pump is just worn out?
Anybody?