96 2.4 tacoma no a/c. fuse good, any ideas ?

ac light comes on, fuse is good, but no ac. the compressor is not spinning. i put my multi meter to the wire that goes behind the clutch for the compressor, and i have no voltage. not sure how to trouble shoot this. any ideas ? thanks
jeff

 

wires in the compressor bad?

 

Most likely the system is low on Freon. There is a "low pressure" switch that will shut off the compressor if the freon gets too low. It's a "self preservation" deal since the freon carries the oil that lubs the compressor. No freon = no oil circulating through the compressor.

There should be a 2 wire "sensor" on one of the AC tubes in the engine compartment. Start the truck and turn on the fan and the AC. Using a paper-clip briefly jump the contacts in the plug that goes to the switch. The compressor clutch should engage for a split second. All you want to do is see if the clutch engages, should be a "clacking" sound when it does. DON'T run it for more than second or two.

If this works take it to a shop licensed to do AC work and have the system checked for leaks. NO serious leaks, have it refilled. Don't try to do this with a kit from Wally World. Too much freon is as bad as not enuf and if the sytem is empty it will have to be "evacuated" to get the air out of it....

Hope this helps.... RON

 

wow, thanks for the info ron. ill check it tomorrow first thing. can i charge the system with compressed air to check for leaks ?

 

No, if the pressure switch trick works I'd recomend a "pro" take it from there.... AC work is getting really exspensive, $1100 is the average repair these days. There's a lot of pricey stuff that can get messed up.

 

That's not what I want to hear. Outch

 

sooo i guess you have to have some coolant in the ac lines for it to work right ? just remembered that the guy that had it before said he rear ended someone and had to replace the radiator. this is making sense now. gonna charge the system with synthetic 134 or what ever its called. hope there is no leaks !

 

Ron's exactly right, I'd bet money it's low on R134.