95 Tacoma AC not working. Replace?

95 Tacoma 2.7 4wd. I’ve had this truck for around a year and it’s always blown hot air. No blink from the AC light. I filled my freon up to the proper level with the ac on but the ac clutch never engaged so I think the pressure is just in the lines, the pressure doesn’t deplete over time so I don’t think there’s any leaks, I assume I shouldn’t add any more pressure than what’s required. I checked the fuse and it’s still good and in this year there is no relay so I don’t think I can bypass it to engage the clutch. I called the auto parts store and it’s about 350 for a new ac compressor, I don’t mind replacing it myself but I’d like to know if there’s anything else I can try before forking out the money and time. (I even tried tapping it w/ a hammer since that works with starters, fuel pumps and some other things).

 

It’s not that simple,
Too much pressure, too little pressure and the compressor will not come on.
If the coil that actives the clutch is bad compressor will not come on.
You need a specific amount of oil in the Freon 7 ozs or so.
Too much the compressor will seize, too little the compressor will seize.
The dryer is the filter,
If it’s full it will cause issues too.

Etc

Check the clutch and coil 1st

 

do I need to remove it to check the clutch and coil?

 

You don’t need to remove the compressor, you can do those two things on the engine

 

okay, what do you mean by checking the clutch and coil? Removing the harness and checking the ohms?

 

You can pull the clutch off the front the coil to probably,

Google YouTube ac compressor testing

 

First, with the engine OFF, try turning the compressor clutch disc a few revolutions. This is the front outer most round disc on the front of the compressor (not the pulley). If it turns with a little resistance, your compressor is not seized. This does not mean it is good, but it is not seized. Next, behind the pulley there should be 2 wires that go to the compressor clutch coil. The coil is mounted on the front of the compressor inside the pulley. When power and ground are put to the coil it creates a magnet which sucks the clutch disc against the pulley. One wire should have power + and the other is ground (The ground wire may be attached to a screw on the compressor) with the a/c on. You will only have the proper voltage or ground if all the pressure switches, fuses, dash switch, proper Freon charge, etc are all working correctly. You can check for voltage and ground at the coil with the truck running and a/c on. BE CAREFUL. If NO power and or ground is at coil, you will have to get a wiring diagram and figure out what is causing the problem in the circuit. If you HAVE power and ground to the coil but the clutch is not engaging, the coil is most likely bad.

 

Thank you guys so much, that clears up a lot.

 

I spun it and it moves with a lil resistance.

 

If this coil is not working it will not engage the compressor or if there is no power to it,

You might be able to hot wire the coil to see if that part is working

 

Just checked it and there is voltage coming from the coil plug.

 

I think the compressor might be shot…

 

I think you’re right. At least I was able to narrow it down. I swear I’ve replaced every part on this truck but the motor.

 

All you guys on this forum have been a tremendous help since I’ve bought this truck. I would be lost without this forum.

 

The compressor may not be shot. You might be able to purchase a new coil, pulley and clutch and replace just that to fix it. Go on you tube to see how it is done and what tools you need. If you are going to replace just these parts, you do not have to recycle any Freon out of the system. No Freon will leak when changing the coil, pulley or clutch. Just make sure you retain all the shim washer inside the clutch hub and reuse them. Also check clutch to pulley gap when all assembled ( It is a critical measurement with a feeler gauge). If you are not comfortable about doing the job, you can replace the whole compressor and clutch assembly. You will have to recycle and charge the Freon doing the complete unit.

 

Make sure the switch is working before spending money on the compressor. The AC switch is an unusual type connection where the female half of the switch is snapped into a holder and then the switch gets pressed to make the connection. It can be a loose fitting connection.

Remove the switch and check with a voltmeter, and also make sure the switch is securely engaging into the wire harness that is behind it. It may just be a bad connection. I'd depress the switch to the "on" position, then press it into the dash. Watch for the light. If it's a poor fit, it may flash just briefly while you are pressing it into the dash.

 

there's no extra blink when I press it but the rpms do go up as soon as its pressed but the clutch doesn't engage.

 

I'm about to start pulling the old one out but the new one says it has 3 ounces pre loaded and I'm supposed to add more before installing but it doesn't say how much

 

the new ac has 3 oz of oil pre loaded and the instructions say to make sure its the right amount so I had one guy say I need to add one oz because its supposed to have 4, another guy said I don't need to add anything and another said to drain the old one and make sure the new one has the same amount.. I drained the old one and there was only about an oz so I just installed the new one as is and started it, turned the ac on, added 47 psi of freon and nothing, the clutch still doesn't turn on.

 

1995 FSM says add about 3/4 oz of oil:


Refrigerant amount


Other info: