Locating air condition compressor relay

Tiny
LAYNETANDERSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 125,000 MILES
Every time I hit the ac button on my instrument panel I immediately pop the 10a fuse on the driver fuse box. If I leave ac off I will not blow fuse and will have blower and heater function. I have a new relay as this appears to be the next component between the fuse control panel and compressor clutch. The relay fuse box is confusing in that they dont show compressor, but cooling 1, 2, 3. Any insight if I am missing the real location under the hood is appreciated.
Friday, June 28th, 2013 AT 6:00 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
It sounds like you have found the fuses for the AC compressor (heater fuse 10 amp - fuse panel under the left side of the dash). As far as the problem, you have to have a short in the system after the fuse. Try disconnecting the compressor to see if you still blow a fuse. If you don't, chances are the compressor clutch is the problem.

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

Here is the ac relay location and the compressor fuse.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Friday, June 28th, 2013 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
ADAM9977
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
Last year my AC was working fine. Towards the end of the hot season last year, my AC started to not blow cold all of a sudden. Now that it is getting warm again, I would like to get this figured out.

Normally when I hit the A/C button, you could hear the difference in sound as the compressor came on. Now, when I hit the A/C button, there is no change, as though the compressor is not coming on at all. There are no issues with the heat, and when turned to cold, cool air does come out of the vent, but it is definitely not "air conditioning".

From what I have read, the compressor will not engage if the refrigerant is low. Is this correct? Is there a way for me to tell if it is a compressor problem, or if I am simply low on refrigerant? Could it be a fuse problem, and if so, where are the appropriate fuses located for me to replace?

Thanks
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi adam9977, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Start by checking the high and low pressures with a manifold gauges could be just a freon problem-if the compressor magnetic clutch doesn't engage the compressor could be the clutch itself, relay and pressure switch-

From what I have read, the compressor will not engage if the refrigerant is low. Is this correct? Yes it is correct and start here
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHARVEY1967
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
AC and fan suddenly stopped wotkinhg. I changed 10amp heater fuse in inside fuse box. Fan worked but as soon as AC was turned on fuse blew again. I have yet to find replacements for relays. Is this a short somewhere?
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mharvey1967,

Thank you for the donation.

Yes, there is a shorting somewhere in the AC system. Quite often it is the compressor clutch. Unplug compressor and fan wire connectors and retest if fuse blows.
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMBERLEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 150,000 MILES
My AC button: when pushed in the AC is on, however I can not get it to stay pushed in. It releSes as soon as I pull my finger away. When I press and hold the button the compressor comes on and I have cold air. It's not like I can hold it down and drive though. Can I tape it down without damaging anything?

Other than that it sounds like its struggling to blow on setting number 4, which is a different switch. But I don't think these issues are related. All of the other buttons are working just fine.

Thank-you so much for your time, I really appreciate it!
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
The switch needs replaced. As far as tape, it shouldn't hurt anything.
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 4:04 PM (Merged)

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