alty02 Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 Hey Guys/gals I have a 94 ES300. It seems that recently my AC has chosen to stop working. Even with it set to full blast cold, it is giving me full blast hot. Every now and then it will cool off for 15-20 minutes, but then go right back to super hot. It has been taken in to the dealership and they told me they thought it was the computer. It is on the avereage around 100 degrees here and I am dying in the heat.:cries: Has anyone experienced anything like this? Is this a known flaw with Lexus air conditioners? Thanks in advance Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUMan Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 It sounds like the expansion valve. This is a very common problem with the early ES 300's. My wife's 94 ES 300 had AC problems for about two years. It would cool okay when the car was first started. However, on very hot days, the cooling would seem to disappear completely. I had the refrigerant level checked several times, and it was full. From reading on the Lexus forums, I determined that the problem was the expansion valve. I had it repaired at a local auto air conditioning specialist this past April. The cost was about $420.00. This included replacing the receiver-dryer. The Lexus dealer wanted over $700.00 to do the repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 good to see new members finding already answered questions try looking in the general maintance section for self tests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alty02 Posted July 22, 2004 Author Share Posted July 22, 2004 good to see new members finding already answered questionstry looking in the general maintance section for self tests I did a search in both areas and didn't find anything. Sorry if it is a "noob" qiestion. I tried my hardest to answer it on my own. CUman Thanks for the resonse. I had a feeling it would be a common problem. I will look into getting it replaced. So I am guessing its not worth doing on your own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUMan Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 This is not really a do-it-yourself job. The refrigerant has to be evacuated, the repair done, and then a leak test performed. Then it must be recharged. This calls for considerable expertise and specialized equipment. The expansion valve is located under the dash at the evaporator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 You will need to look at the low and high side reading. A/C repair is never a DIY, bring it to someone certified and let them fix it. Good luck. JPI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdonkersgoed Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Here is the Self-Diagnostic Test. It's pretty cool that the car has this . . . it's almost fun :P (This was originally posted by k9 crew) SELF-DIAGNOSTICS An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) within A/C-heater control panel monitors system circuits and stores trouble codes in memory if problems are detected. All codes, except Codes 22 and 23, are stored in memory. Malfunction is current if Code 22 or 23 is displayed. To retrieve stored codes, see RETRIEVING CODES. Codes are displayed at temperature display. See Fig. 2. RETRIEVING CODES 1) Simultaneously press and hold AUTO and recirculated air switches. See Fig. 2. Turn ignition on. All indicators will flash 4 times, at one-second intervals. Tone will sound when indicators flash. 2) A/C system will enter self-diagnostic mode. To end indicator check, press and release OFF switch. Read codes at temperature display. 3) If trouble code is displayed, proceed to appropriate trouble shooting procedure. See DIAGNOSTIC CODE IDENTIFICATION table. Codes are displayed in ascending order. To slow rate at which codes are displayed, press fresh air button to change display to step operation. Each time fresh air button is pressed, display changes by one step. 4) If tone sounds as code is displayed, problem currently exists. If tone does not sound as code is displayed, problem occurred in past and does not presently exist. Code Diagnosis 00 ................................................ Normal 11 (1) ............. In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor Circuit 12 (2) ................ Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit 13 ................. Evaporator Temperature Sensor Circuit 14 .................... Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit 21 (3) .............................. Solar Sensor Circuit 22 (4) .................... Compressor Lock Sensor Circuit 23 (4) ........................... Pressure Switch Circuit 31 .................. Air Mix Door Position Sensor Circuit 32 ................ Air Inlet Door Position Sensor Circuit 33 ............... Air Outlet Door Position Sensor Circuit 41 ....................... Air Mix Door Servomotor Circuit 42 ..................... Air Inlet Door Servomotor Circuit 43 .................... Air Outlet Door Servomotor Circuit (1) - If in-vehicle temperature is -4 F (-20 C) or less, Code 11 may set even though system is normal. (2) - If outside air temperature is -58 F (-50 C) or less, Code 12 may occur set though system is normal. (3) - If testing is done in a dark area, Code 21 may set even though system is normal. Shine a light at solar sensor and recheck codes. (4) - Malfunction is current. Code is not stored in memory. ACTUATOR CHECK 1) Perform step 1) of RETRIEVING CODES. When system enters self-diagnostic mode, press recirculated air button. Each mode door, motor, and relay will operate at one-second intervals. Press fresh air button to display codes one at a time, and perform step-by-step actuator check. 2) Check airflow and temperature by hand. Tone will sound each time display code changes. Each display code is associated with a system operating condition. See Fig. 3 or 4. Press OFF button to cancel actuator check mode. Hope this helps! Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdonkersgoed Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 You may find this thread helpful: Previous Air Conditioning Thread Good luck! Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alty02 Posted July 22, 2004 Author Share Posted July 22, 2004 You may find this thread helpful:Previous Air Conditioning Thread Good luck! Bryan Thank you very much for the responses. I have an appointment to get my expansion valve switched out this weekend. I am looking forward to my first ACed ride home in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alty02 Posted July 22, 2004 Author Share Posted July 22, 2004 You will need to look at the low and high side reading. A/C repair is never a DIY, bring it to someone certified and let them fix it. Good luck. JPI LOL I just noticed you are in Garland. I am in Dallas. Does your shop do this kind of work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiguy99 Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Can a camry 94-00 expansion valve and rec. drier be used on the ES300 from 1995 year? IF so there's a set I can purchase now and take over to the local shop. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUMan Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 The part number for the 94 ES 300 expansion valve is 88515-20100. The part number for the receiver dryer is 88470-33020. Do the Camry parts you have show these numbers? Lexus parts and Toyota parts usually carry the same part numbers. Incidentally, the cost for these parts from Irontoad.com is $55.58 for the expansion valve and $74.84 for the receiver-dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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