I have a 1991 LS400. The a/c worked fine until about a year ago. I have taken this car to so many shops (including Sewell) and have not found an answer or solution to my problem. You can imagine, I am going on over $1,500 in diagnostic fees.
When I vacuum out and recharge the a/c, it only lasts for a total of 12 hours or so. Even when fully charged, it will only blow out cold air from the center front vent (right). All other 5 vents are hot air. That one vent, blows freezing cold air.
I am guessing these issues are 2 seperate issues. However, the only "diagnostic" I am getting is "There's no codes, but it's the compressor." So I ask what exactly is wrong with it? It turns on and blows cold, (for a short time) just fine. From the outside, there is no dye anywere indicating a leak. When I ask if a new compressor will fix the problem, I get "Dunno, we gotta change it to find out."
Now, I know, I know, being a female brings most of this on.
I just want it fixed. I was deeply saddened that not even the mechanic at Sewell Lexus could give me an answer, especially since my car had all of the repairs done there, before I bought it.
Any advice will be helpful. I have had friends suggest replacing the hoses (lines). Labor on that is kind of steep and most places I have talked to refuse to do it without replacing the compressor too.
Thank you for the reply! Yes, I have had it converted to R134a. The dye is not visible anywhere, which is confusing to me. I even got under there myself after insisting on the blacklight and glasses at the shop. Nada. I am floored as to what it could be. Could it be possible that it has an internal leak that cannot be seen from the outside? I was thinking the same thing about the "flappy thingies" (<-- woman talk for the dampers) because I took out the center dash, radio and all, and noticed that there was a flap or something not closed and the cold air was hitting it and bouncing straight to the vent that blows cold. I will research this issue tonight, being that it seems to make sense (to me anyways) to try and fix this issue in the meantime. I will update when I find some answers. Thanks again!!!
