tjmc11 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Today my a/c light began to blink (did not run through water which is a common cause). The A/C then suddenly quit cooling. This happened suddenly. I hooked it up to my A/C machine and tested the vaccuum which held fine. It had 1.50 lbs of freon in it. Which to my knowledge is close to the correct amount (1.54 I think is reccomended). Other info: The Clutch engages for about 2 - 3 seconds and then kicks out / off. Does anyone have any ideas of what this could be. Is my compressor going out or is this a possible over-heating clutch relay going bad? Or possibly a switch/control issue? Please advise.....any help is graetly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blk_on_blk Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Your "A/C machine"?? What's that? Is that like a professional A/C machine where you can check pressures on the high and low side of the system? If you can, then you can check to see if you might have a blockage. We had a blockage and our A/C just stopped working. That meant a replacement of the compressor, drier, condensor, and expansion valve. It could also be that your cabin filter is clogged. If you don't get enough airflow through the ventalation system, it will shut itself off (or so I've read). There is also a discussion of a bad A/C relay on the ES models. Since the RX shares so much with the ES, it might be the problem. They have an upgrade A/C relay that is the replacement. It could also just be a stuck expansion valve, which always seem to go out at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridge Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Push and hold the AUTO button and the Recirculation button at the same time for 5 seconds. Place the key in the ignition while holding the buttons down. Turn ignition so ON and release the buttons. On your display screen you will see numbers flashing, they will cycle through and repeat. Post those numbers you see, hit the Recirculation button again and the AC system will run through a diagnostic test. Hit the OFF button to cancel everything out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridge Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 More info on the test: 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. Press OFF button to cancel actuator check mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjmc11 Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 Push and hold the AUTO button and the Recirculation button at the same time for 5 seconds. Place the key in the ignition while holding the buttons down. Turn ignition so ON and release the buttons. On your display screen you will see numbers flashing, they will cycle through and repeat. Post those numbers you see, hit the Recirculation button again and the AC system will run through a diagnostic test. Hit the OFF button to cancel everything out. The code I received was 00. This tells me that there was no issue with the pressure/temp/ vent position/ cabin temp sensors. I am afraid I have a compressor issue. Purchased a compressor and will be installing it today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjmc11 Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Update: Tested all sensors and they were fine. Clutch relay was fine as well. Replaced compressor and got cold air blowing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbie Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I've encountered the same problem (flashing AC indicator on climate screen) a couple times. Turning off the AC and then back on has resolved the problem in both cases. I had Lexus service check but they couldn't find any problems. I'll check the codes next time it occurs. This is on a 2005 RX. Both times were at initial startup in the morning. Ambient temperature was in the upper 70's F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberdiver Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I'm having similar issues with my 03 ES. I ran this diagnostic and it is alternating "21" "24". I don't see a 24 listed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjmc11 Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 Update: Tested all sensors and they were fine. Clutch relay was fine as well. Replaced compressor and got cold air blowing again. You may have an expansion valve issue OR your belts could be slipping due to water or looseness of the belt. IF your a/c works and then begins to blow warmer air, BUT AFTER you turn the a/c off for a while it begins to work again, it is more likely the expansion valve. If it suddenly blinks and you turn it off and on again and it works, I would bet it is an issue with belt slippage or looseness OR a clutch relay issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjmc11 Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 I've encountered the same problem (flashing AC indicator on climate screen) a couple times. Turning off the AC and then back on has resolved the problem in both cases. I had Lexus service check but they couldn't find any problems. I'll check the codes next time it occurs. This is on a 2005 RX. Both times were at initial startup in the morning. Ambient temperature was in the upper 70's F. [/quote/] You may have a compressor issue. Have someone start the engine with the A/C off. Look at the a/c compressor and clutch assembly. Havesomeone turnt he a/c on and see if the clutch engages. IF the clutch does not engage, I would first guess yoru compressor is locked up. Please post your results once you do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjmc11 Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 I'm having similar issues with my 03 ES. I ran this diagnostic and it is alternating "21" "24". I don't see a 24 listed? You may have a compressor issue. Have someone start the engine with the A/C off. Look at the a/c compressor and clutch assembly. Havesomeone turnt he a/c on and see if the clutch engages. IF the clutch does not engage, I would first guess yoru compressor is locked up. Please post your results once you do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david panama Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 OK. SORRY FOR THE BAD ENGLISH. THE SAME HAPPENS TO ME. I NOTICED THAT THE AC CONTROL BLINKS WHEN THE COOLING TEMP SELECTED BY USER IS HIGHER THAN THE EXTERIOR TEMP. JUST SELECT A LOWER COOLING TEMP AND PUSH THE BLINKING AC BUTTON AGAIN.O OFF AND ON AGAIN. IT WILL STOP TO BLINK AND COOL AGAIN. IF IT DOES NOT FUNCTION, YOUR COOLING SISTEM MIGHT BE FROZEN. WAIT A WHILE UNTIL THE TUBES DEFROZE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soda Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Having troubles with a/c as well. No power to a/c compressor and lcd display is burnt out. Where's the first spot to trubleshoot appreciate any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tana Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 21,33,41,43 are the codes that popped up for mine... now what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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