A/C clutch not spinning

Got my 2000 Tacoma last week and discovered the A/C clutch is not spinning when I turn the A/C on. It does move freely though, so not locked up.
Blowers all work but no cold air of course. Was hoping it was a fuse but they're all fine. Not sure how to check the relay (I pulled the panel behind glovebox and looked but no way to tell if it's working).
I guess next step is to get under there and give power to the A/C clutch connector wire and see if it engages.

My other thoughts are that the previous owner overcharged it or overfilled the coolant before sale, and that's causing the system to disengage the clutch...

Thoughts?

Trasl

 

It could be due to low pressure. You can try to jump the low pressure switch.

 

Alright, how do I do that?

 

I looked it up. I will give that a try. Thanks!

 

Pretty sure that will do ya. If it doesn't you can jump the AC clutch and check to see if it will engage with direct power to it. But it's probably just undercharged. Hopefully.

 

Do you, or anyone else know where the A/C low pressure switch is. I can not for the life of me find it.

 

Can get gauges / vacuum pump as loaners for 0 net cost upon return from LAPS and can of R134 as low as like $11. If, low the LAPs is working! Keep in mind a system with a failed clutch can show equal pressures on high and low side that doesn't indicate low pressure just equalization for not being used.

If pressure is fine (and asuming LPs is good) and jumping clutch engages, then can test relay by swapping with known good one (likely have another in the box under hood that's the same) and also check fuse in cab to verify if electrical upstream is issue.

I found this guy gives a good quick description on how an HVAC system works including what the high/low readings mean, and this guy gives a very in depth overview of more components like diagnosing electrical and compressor clutch issues.

 

Check the refrigerant charge first. Don't force it to run unless you know the charge amount is correct.

 

Yeah, good call, you don't want to run an AC system if it has too much charge.