1993 Camry Air Conditoning Light Blinks

[bodie]

Hello All,
I found some information on this (A/C light blinking) in the Camry threads, but nothing really definitive. Maybe the wrong question was being asked. Here are my symptoms:
1. When you turn on the A/C, the A/C light blinks.
2. The air is not cooled. It is about the same as the outside temperature (80 degrees).

Obviously there is a problem with the A/C. So my question is, does anybody know, exactly, what failure or failures this blinking light is supposed to indicate? Toyota designed this light to blink when "A", "B", "C", etc., etc. happens. Does anyone know what "A", "B" or "C" is?

Here is some more information. I took the Camry to the dealer to have the valve cover gasket replaced, the A/C worked perfectly before the gasket was replaced. After picking it up, my wife noticed the symptoms described above. I have a couple theories of what may have happened. A wire or connector got screwed up, or not reconnected, or perhaps one of the A/C pipes got punctured.

Thanks for your help

[Brian R.]

1. Check your A/C fuse
2. Check connection on your pressure switch
3. Check connection on your revolution detecting sensor.
4. Check connection on magnetic clutch on compressor.
5. If all else fails, bring it to a mechanic to check the refrigerant level.

[yotatechie04]

Do all the Brian suggested first. If you can't figure it out, you will have to take it to a shop or A/C specialist and have them check the system.

[bodie]

Thank you for the information. I did some digging through my Haynes manual. I did the few things that I was able to do. I discovered the problem. The wiring harness connector at the compressor was disconnected. Apparently when the upper timing belt cover bolts were removed, to allow the engine wiring harness to be pulled out of the way so the valve cover could be removed (1992-1995 Haynes Camry page 2A-4 step 4) the wiring harness connector at the compressor must have been disconnected also. Why the mechanic would do this (disconnect the compressor), I don't know. In order to do the valve cover gasket replacement job I can't see why disconnecting this would be required to do the gasket job. Anyway, I shall pass this information on the dealer so they can do with it, whatever they do with complaints. Once again, thanks for your time and help, it is greatly appreciated.

[yotatechie04]

Glad to hear you got it figured out, and I'm especially glad that you didn't have to replace anything.

[montyrex]

HI. I had the same problem with my 92 SV21 3SFE Camry and my local Toyota dealer said something about a sensor that would " throw out " the air con clutch if the air con belt was loose or slipping. I tightened the belt { even though it seemed tight enough } and the problem was instantly fixed for a short while. I then put a new belt on and the problem has gone forever, i hope. No doubt when i turn the air con on next time the light will start flashing but you get that hey ? I do hope this helps you as it was very frustrating for me at the time. I don`t think the mechanic would have gone near the air con belt or was a new one fitted at the time ? I hope this solves your problem; Regards Doug. Perth Western Australia.

[WissNX01]

FOr the future, when you take your car anywhere for servicing, when you drop it off, make a short note of what works, what doesnt, what makes wierd noises, all the dents and *messed* up body work on your car.

When you pick it up, make new list before you leave. Same *stuff*. Because if you stumble across something like, ' Oh shit my stereo is missing' a mile away, they are going to tell you your a liar. Do this before you leave, and youll save yourself trouble.

I know a guy that works at a tire shop. He scratched the *crap* out of the side of the car. The manager had him park it where the customer couldnt see that side. The *owner* drove away, came back 5 minutes later and accused them (rightfully) of *screwing* his car. He couldnt prove it because he had already left the lot. Mechanics and people in the auto industry cover thier own *bum-bums*, and if you dont find out, then they are safe.

[WissNX01]

By the way, blinky lights are awesome.

[Bmaintz]

You made a good point about dealers & damage to your cars.....
But WHY all the 4 letter words, are you angry at the world???

[WissNX01]

Yeah, Bob I am angry. Sorry, Ill try to be less angry, lest I might offend someone.

[bodie]

I spoke to the service manager and we came to an agreement that I would get back $50 from the $118 cost of the valve cover gasket replacement job. I wanted half, but this is OK. My main complaint was that when I spoke to the "Service Advisor" who was the point of contact for the gasket job, his response was, you need to make an appointment to bring it in. I had explained to the Service Advisor that the AC worked perfectly before I dropped it off, no problems whatsoever, now it was broke di.. He made no attempt to accommodate me and get the car back in the next day so the mechanic could do a quick once over and see if he could figure out the problem. The car would have been looked at about 8 days later. I later went up the chain of command to the service manager, and he did a little "tap dancing" trying to tell me that the electrical connector can vibrate apart all by it's itty biddy self. PLEASE.................., He said he had seen it when he was a mechanic. Well, the only way I can think of, how that might happen, is if the connector was not put back together properly in the first place, or someone damaged the connector, thereby preventing it from being put back together (my connector was not damaged). These connectors take some work to get them apart. Oh, yeah, and it was just a coincidence that the connector just happened to come apart after his mechanic did a repair, that just happened to include moving the wiring harness that this connector was part of.

[rhug]

Hey Bodie, thanks for posting this! I have a 1995 Camery I just had in for timing belt and valve cover replacement. Weather's been pretty cool but the first day in the 90's I tried to fire up the AC and the light blinked on me. Was looking at replacing a relay, possibly a compressor at $1K or more. I saw your post, looked down at the compressor and sure enough the wire was hanging loose! Plugged it in and I've got AC again.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by rhug

Hey Bodie, thanks for posting this! I have a 1995 Camery I just had in for timing belt and valve cover replacement. Weather's been pretty cool but the first day in the 90's I tried to fire up the AC and the light blinked on me. Was looking at replacing a relay, possibly a compressor at $1K or more. I saw your post, looked down at the compressor and sure enough the wire was hanging loose! Plugged it in and I've got AC again.

Understand your jubilation but do you think Bodie is still around 6 years later?

[jdmccright]

Possibly...you're still around after 6 years. Wish my A/C problem was this easy.