Replaced AC belt and idler pulley but AC not blowing cold consistently

I drive a 2003 6-cyl. 3.4 TRD Ltd.

Well, the description pretty much sums it up. I don't know when it happened, but the AC belt broke off a while ago. It's only been hot weather for a month or so, so I didn't notice my AC not working. When I started trying to use the AC, it only blew hot air. Checked my belts, and sure enough, the AC belt was missing.

While I was taking off the other belts, I checked my idler pulley and it was seized. (Obviously the cause of the belt tearing off. Wish I would've caught it right after it happened!)

Yesterday, I changed all my belts and replaced the idler pulley. I also recharged the AC while I was at it.

I've tried using the AC, and it will randomly blow cold air every now and then. Sometimes the cold air lasts a while, and sometimes it will blow cold for 20-30 seconds and stop. Sometimes, it just won't work at all.

Any idea what's going on? Do I need to take another step to get it working? Do I need to just run it for a while and the AC will get back to normal? Any help is appreciated!

 

first things- check the belt for tension, and that the ac pump is spinning with it. If that's the case, then you probably need to move on to inspecting or replacing some of the other items. How did you charge the system? Keep in mind that if the system lost charge, it means there is a leak somewhere.

 

Thanks, Andy. I recharged with the typical recharge bottle that you can get at any auto parts store. When I went to recharge, it was almost all the way full and I just topped it off, so I don't think there's a leak. Going to get under the truck today to make sure the pump is spinning. Thanks!

 

There are 2 aluminum lines coming from the firewall on the passenger side engine compartment, there is a small diameter aluminum line and a larger diameter line. On the small diameter line you should see a fitting with wires, this is the dual pressure switch, this shuts off the compressor if the refridgerant pressure is too high, 400 psi? Or too low less than 30 psi. The only way for you to know is to put a set of manifold gages on the system and see what the pressures are. There are other electronics associated that make the system work but I would start with a pressure test first.