98 Camry-Cannot Turn Off A/C

[laisenberg]

I have a 98 Camry LE with the 2.2L four cylinder engine and A/T. During the summer months, the A/C is left on due to the high humidity and temperatures in our area. With the weather getting colder, I pushed the button yesterday to turn the A/C off and the button does not work. The A/C stays on and the light stays on. I tried a number of different ways to push the button to turn the A/C off with no success.

I then tried to locate the fuse for the A/C (to pull it out to shutoff the A/C) and much to my surprise, the A/C does not appear to be on a separate circuit. There are only 15 fuse positions on the 98 and none of them are marked A/C. There's a fuse holder for the heater but none for the A/C.

I need to get the A/C turned off as it cycles while running in 30 degree temperatures and the engine pulls down to handle the additional load. All of that translates into wasted fuel consumption and wear and tear on the compressor when it continues to run. Any suggestions to address this issue would be much appreciated.

[lenjack]

If you have the selector switch in the defog position, the AC will continue to run. It is designed this way and is this way in many cars. To shot off, switch off the defogger.

[Brian R.]

Windshield defog/defrost probably does not operate A/C.

Download the 4th generation FSM from the sticky thread at the top of this forum and check magnetic clutch relay in Engine Room Relay Block No. 1. (page AC-71)

http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge...nditioning.pdf
or
http://www.camrystuff.com/index.php?page=Gen4_Manuals for entire manual

Check A/C switch (page AC-84)

Test the A/C amplifier and circuit (pages AC-88, 89).

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

"Windshield defog/defrost probably does not operate A/C."

The a/c was integrated with the defrost mode starting with the 4th generation Camry in 1997, so that could be an issue here.

Mike

[Brian R.]

ok, I wasn't sure one way or another.