Pete, I have a 2012 Toyota Camry LE and I hit a deer and Service King fixed the repair. They had to put more coolant in my car’s
I hit a deer and the vehicle was fixed and they had to add more coolant. Now my A/C blows hot air even though I have it set to cold A/C. The condenser is running and then sometimes it automatically starts blowing cold air and works like it should. They checked for leaks and no leaks and put more coolant and same thing. I was told that it was the flow sensor that needed to be replaced on the condenser. Is this something that I can buy and replace without having to replace the entire compressor and have all that expense? I appreciate your time and assistance.
My car has 138000 miles.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Unfortunately, the flow sensor is not serviceable on a do it yourself basis because the refrigerant has to be evacuated. Don’t even think about trying it if you have never worked on a/c because you run a substantial risk of high pressure refrigerant blowing out if you make a mistake, hitting you in the eye and blindly you instantly. A/C systems are actually a uniquely dangerous component on a motor vehicle and present risks of a type that you don’t face with other much more mundane electrical and mechanical faults. If you try to evacuate an a/c system without the right equipment you’ll lose the system compressor oil, too, and then when you restart the system the compressor will run dry and just fail. If the sensor is available from Toyota, that part ALONE can be replaced, thus saving you money, but you still have to evacuate the system. Unless a very specific diagnostic was already properly performed, I would not assume that the sensor is the problem. There are high and low pressure cut off switches, compressor clutch controls and many other components that can account for the fault that you have described. If you desire a system diagnostic to get to the bottom of this and get the right repair implemented, please request a/c system diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
A clogged orifice tube
The orifice tube is located between the condenser in the front of the radiator and the evaporator in the passenger compartment. If there is an obstruction in the tube, it will stop the refrigerant from reaching the evaporator, causing your system to blow warm air.
Only compatible with R134a refrigerant.
The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. If your air is blowing cool but not cold, the problem could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem or radiator trouble.
A frayed wire or a blown fuse can prevent an otherwise healthy A/C from functioning. Diagnosing and correcting an electrical problem begins with performing a complete visual inspection of your car`s fuse box and wiring. If any of these issues are causing your car to blow hot air, drive to your local Tires Plus.
The first possibility is that there is a refrigerant leak. The leak may be found in the evaporator, condenser or hose in which case you should bring your car to a mechanic to be repaired. Another reason that your air conditioner may not be blowing cool air is because the compressor has gone bad.
There`s a sticker under the hood (Fig. 1), somewhere right up front, that tells you which refrigerant was used in the factory fill, and it also tells you how much. That sticker is part of SAE Standard J639, which provides safety and design standards for automotive air conditioning refrigerant systems.
R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn`t cool as well as R12. In addition, there was the lubricant issue. Because A/C compressors have moving parts, they require oil.
The most common reasons a Toyota Camry ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
Perhaps the most common cause of AC issues is clogged filters. Dirt, pet hair, pollen and dust can clog your filters. When filters get clogged, they begin to restrict the flow of air through your AC. The result is that the AC doesn`t cool your indoor air effectively.
Check to see that the cooling fans on the condenser or radiator are running when the air –conditioning is on. Look for any restrictions like leaves, bugs or dirt that would keep air from passing over the condenser. Check the cabin air filter to ensure that it is not clogged.
Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC`s reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot. If you don`t see a reset button on the outside, it could be located inside the unit behind the service panel.
Your vehicle`s air-conditioner not working is most likely caused by a failing compressor or a freon leak. Though these are the most obvious reasons that the AC isn`t working in your car, a dirty cabin filter or a bad compressor belt could also be the problem.
HFC-134a: a Potent Greenhouse Gas
It is the most abundant HFC in the atmosphere. HFC-134a will no longer be approved for use in new light-duty vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States as of model year 2021 as a result of EPA`s July 2015 final rule under SNAP (July 20, 2015, 80 FR 42870 ).
You`re wondering if you can mix different refrigerants for your air conditioning system. The short-long-only answer is no, never. There are many reasons why it`s impractical, illegal, and not economical for a homeowner to mix refrigerant types.
It is R134a.
temperature of around 265°F (125°C) after which oil degradation is unavoidable.
R12 contains CFCs like hairspray once did, that is potentially damaging to the ozone layer. It was banned because of this potential environmental risk and replaced by 134a because 134a, using synthetic oil over mineral oil, does not have as much of a negative environmental impact that R12 does.
Recycle Refrigerant
It is OK to put clean, recovered refrigerant back into the same system, as long as it was cleaned by passing it through a filter drier. Clean, recovered refrigerant can also be put into another system owned by the same owner (in multifamily this usually means a different unit at the same property).
The Ban on R-12 Refrigerant
R12 refrigerant was the dominant refrigerant for decades, until 1975, when scientists discovered that CFCs, like R12 and R11, were harmful to the ozone layer. The fact that it was useful in so many ways was outweighed by its harm to the planet.
If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit`s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system! If that`s the case, your air conditioner will continue to run and blow out warm air, trying to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit`s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system! If that`s the case, your air conditioner will continue to run and blow out warm air, trying to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
Reasons a Toyota Camry AC Isn`t Working. The most common reasons a Toyota Camry ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
If your heat only works when driving, this can also be caused by air pockets. Air pockets within the cooling system can prevent adequate coolant circulation and are sometimes the result of low coolant or a faulty radiator cap.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
It`s where the hot air is absorbed and cooled by refrigeration. These coils, however, can become dirty or clogged, restricting their ability to cool the air properly. If this is the case, your AC unit won`t be able to cool your home efficiently, and warm air may blow instead.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Pete, I have a 2012 Toyota Camry LE and I hit a deer and Service King fixed the repair. They had to put more coolant in my car’s
ANSWER : Unfortunately, the flow sensor is not serviceable on a do it yourself basis because the refrigerant has to be evacuated. Don’t even think about trying it if you have never worked on a/c because you run a substantial risk of high pressure refrigerant blowing out if you make a mistake, hitting you in the eye and blindly you instantly. A/C systems are actually a uniquely dangerous component on a motor vehicle and present risks of a type that you don’t face with other much more mundane electrical and mechanical faults. If you try to evacuate an a/c system without the right equipment you’ll lose the system compressor oil, too, and then when you restart the system the compressor will run dry and just fail. If the sensor is available from Toyota, that part ALONE can be replaced, thus saving you money, but you still have to evacuate the system. Unless a very specific diagnostic was already properly performed, I would not assume that the sensor is the problem. There are high and low pressure cut off switches, compressor clutch controls and many other components that can account for the fault that you have described. If you desire a system diagnostic to get to the bottom of this and get the right repair implemented, please request a/c system diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
I have a 2002 toyota camry LE engine wich i want to use on a 2004 toyota camry XLE .is my 02 toyota camry engine compatible ?
ANSWER : Hi there. Assuming that both engines are the same size, the compatibility of "fitting" should be OK. However, since this is a service we don’t offer, we’re not best suited to provide the best advice on this. I can tell you that a common problem have with replacing motors is communication with the ECU. In most cases, it will require reprogramming by a specialist in order for all the systems to work correctly.
No coolant in the reservoir. Seen low coolant message. I added 2 quarts of 50/50 coolant. Still getting the message. How much coolant doe it need?
ANSWER : Hi there. For the coolant light to go out, you would need to have the coolant between the low line and the full line for the light to go out. If the coolant is low and keeps on being low, then look for any signs of coolant leaks. You may have to use a coolant pressure tester to pressurize the reservoir to allow the leak to be found.
If you need further assistance with the coolant being low and the warning light being on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
Can a faulty repair of radiator and coolant flush with repair of housing lead to engine breakdown?
ANSWER : It is tough to say that the prior repair did in fact cause this, although it is possible. If any of these components are not properly installed, this can cause coolant to get into the engine causing major damage. If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on the issue, I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose the coolant leak and help you make the necessary repair.
Am I able to ask to keep the amount of money the insurance is going to pay to fix my totaled car to fix myself?
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, when the insurance company considers the vehicle a ’total loss’, they will send you the settlement amount, minus the deductible. However, every insurance company is different and unique in regards to their own regulations and policies. I would highly recommend calling your insurance company and clarify what they are willing to do to settle your claim.
My car is leaking coolant and telling me to stop the car and check coolant.
ANSWER : Going by your description and the age of the car, I’m going to guess you have a problem with your water pump. The water pump has a rotating seal that often doesn’t leak unless the engine is running. If your water pump is leaking you might be able to see a drip from the bottom of the engine front cover. Before jumping to any conclusions though, you should have a professional pressure test the system to be sure. If you contact Your Mechanic. they can send a technician to your home or office to check out your leak and tell you what it will take to solve it.
I pulled into a parking spot and put my car into park, when I lifted my foot from the brake the car continues forward.
ANSWER : The vehicle transmission did not get back to the park position due to the shift cable came off of the transmission shift linkage. You will need to have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and check the shift cable connection at the transmission to see if the shift cable bushing broke and let the cable end disengage from the shift linkage. The shift cable may need replaced if the cable end bushing is not available. I recommend a mechanic check the shift cable and replace cable or repair cable end as parts allow.
