92SC400Boy

:chairshot: Yes,

   Take it to a reputable shop. If there is almost a vacuum on the low side, replace the expansion valve that is located in the evaportor box under the passenger side glove compartment.

Just went through that. The expansion valve gets plugged up and the compressor engages for a few seconds, disengages, and then the dreaded flashing A/C light. Hope this helps.

The expansion valve is only $65 after market or $125 Lexus.

Sounds like your compressor is near final death.

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Thanks Jbar - compressor w/ clutch replaced within the last year with a rebuilt unit. Guy who installed it and another mechanic say it checks out fine.

Any other ideas?

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Thanks a lot Teelias! will give that a try and let you know. Can you please tell where an aftermarket expasion valve can be found?

'92 SC400, 120k miles, all options + cromed spokes and integrated K40 radar detection (was state of the art back in '92, still not bad!). I'm the second owner and have had it for about 7 years. Paid about $16.5k as I recall. Everything works at this point. Original owner put about 60k miles on it as I recall. Bone stock except K&N air filter and upgraded window tint. I've gone through/replaced: ps pump, 2 alts., 2 A/C compressors, lower front control arms, cd changer, etc. It had a major service done at dealer just before I got it - like $3k worth as I recall - they did the timing belt, all fluids, etc., etc., etc. Previous owner probably overpaid by $1.5k+ for that one, but I was glad to have it all done. My daughter drives it primarily now, to and from high school and on errands.

Current issues:

(1) trac light coming on intermittantly after driving for 10+ miles, then it stays on until car is shut off again. No other idiot lights and no performance problems noticeable.

(2) A/C light blinks and compressor cuts out at the same time - intermittant problem. Compressor and clutch have been replaced within the last year or so and check out fine. A/C will reset by turning off and back on, sometimes two or three times, then work perfectly.

(3) Guage needle lights failing

Overall impression of car - great ride, super high quality, but with a few known issues for which Lexus should have stepped up, such as the headlight lenses fogging prematurely. Also, relatively expensive to maintain and more has broken than I hoped since I've owned it. Was hoping for a Toyota Camry on steroids when it came to maintenance - like will need next to nothing for years and years. Not! Still, overall, a great value - I've been able to drive a $45k+ premium luxury car for years and probably have around $21k all in into it by now.

Since you asked nicely, it refers to the traction control unit. Usually throwing an error code when it thinks theres a problem. Mine did that for about 2 months and I ignored it and it went away. Try this, drive around with the trac off for a few days, so everytime you start the car up turn the trac off. This may refresh previous codes and act as a new install if the unit doesn't run for a while when the cars in normal operation. Actually, does the Trac light automatically come on when you start the car up and before its put into gear?

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also a "hack" may be to disconnect the battery & re-connect... this may re-set the system as well. know it works w/ p-cars w/ obd. this may be only a temporary solution. but like forementioned... maybe the trac threw an error code & simply needs to reset.

BOL

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Another suggestion to reset possible code alert - pull the trac 7.5 fuse under the hood, leave it out for a while (dunno how long), then put it back in. That should reset any coding issue, heh? Works great on my Mazda that keeps giving me a check engine light, coding for excessing exhaust gas recirc.

Sounds like your compressor is near final death.

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Thanks Jbar - compressor w/ clutch replaced within the last year with a rebuilt unit. Guy who installed it and another mechanic say it checks out fine.

Any other ideas?

92 SC 400. When A/C light blinks, the compressor cuts off and unit blows just air. It will reset by turning the unit off and on. Code is 21. Do I need another climate control panel or what? If so, are used ones a good bet? Found a used parts dealer who says he has a connection in California that rebuilds them. He sells it for $275 with a one year warranty. How hard is it to change this panel out?

I've got a '92 SC and have the same problem - the "trac" idiot warning light keeps coming on. Freakn' manual says "take it to dealer" without any indication of what the problem might be. Dealer wanted $105 just to diagnose - damn, I HATE DEALERS. Fuses all fine. Any other suggestions? I've got the optionaly traction system, but don't think this is related to that system? Thanks