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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / June 2007

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More A/C-electric Qs

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Proctologically Violated©® - 27 Jun 2007 21:26 GMT
Awl--

Tryna get my friend's A/C going on a 1991 Toyota "suburban" wagon.  Like a
corolla wagon?

Think it's electrical, and would like to explore that first.  The A/C
stopped working after getting mildly rear ended.

Would like to check fuses first, if that makes sense.
Looked at the fuse panel by the driver's left leg, and it said on the cover
"heater-A/C breakers by assist kick plate".
What/where is an "assist kick plate"?

Horn does not work, possibly a loose wire--there is a dangling wire, can't
see where it goes.
Mention this because this loose wire is also right next to what looks like
the A/C condenser, and possibly may not be for the horn.
Also don't see a horn fuse.  I see a horn relay in a fuse block under the
hood, but no fuse.

Am still looking for the low pressure switch, mentioned to me in another
thread, to jump out.  How do I recognize this?
.
The A/C compressor looks to be under the alternator, w/ one wire (that I can
see) going to it.  Sort of loose, think I snugged it in.
Don't see any other wires, looking from the top, hoping to find the wires
that activate the A/C clutch.

Both radiator fans click on/off, as car idles in hot weather.

If I could SEE where sh.t was, I'd have a better shot at sleuthing the
problem.

Appreciate any leads/help.
Signature

------
Mr. P.V.'d  (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

Comboverfish - 28 Jun 2007 17:26 GMT
On Jun 27, 3:26 pm, "Proctologically Violated??"
<entropic3.14de...@optonline2.718.net> wrote:
> Awl--
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Think it's electrical, and would like to explore that first.  The A/C
> stopped working after getting mildly rear ended.

> Would like to check fuses first, if that makes sense.
> Looked at the fuse panel by the driver's left leg, and it said on the cover
> "heater-A/C breakers by assist kick plate".
> What/where is an "assist kick plate"?

Depending on your vehicle (sounds like you don't know what you are
working on...) the A/C clutch fuse and MG relay may be behind the
passenger side kickplate under the glovebox area.  It should be a 7.5
or 10amp fuse.  There are plenty of other fuses in this system
however.

> Horn does not work, possibly a loose wire--there is a dangling wire, can't
> see where it goes.
> Mention this because this loose wire is also right next to what looks like
> the A/C condenser, and possibly may not be for the horn.
> Also don't see a horn fuse.  I see a horn relay in a fuse block under the
> hood, but no fuse.

There are fuses in the engine compartment box AND in the box up above
the driver's knee bolster or left kickpanel area.  Look both places.

The wire near the condenser should not be A/C related on a Corolla-
sortof-kindof.  It is likely a broken wire to the horn.  The important
A/C switches and wiring underhood for Corolla-sortofs are in the high
pressure line near the firewall where it goes into the evaporator.  I
have seen broken wiring in this area on several different bodystyles
of the early 1990's era Corolla.  Broken wire(s) here can cause
constant A/C fan operation or no A/C depending on which circuit is
open.

> Am still looking for the low pressure switch, mentioned to me in another
> thread, to jump out.  How do I recognize this?

There's a two wire "dual pressure switch" and a high pressure fan
switch on the high line (depending on your vehicle), and it's where I
specified above on old Corollas.

> The A/C compressor looks to be under the alternator, w/ one wire (that I can
> see) going to it.  Sort of loose, think I snugged it in.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> If I could SEE where sh.t was, I'd have a better shot at sleuthing the
> problem.

There is very little of the A/C electrical system on Corollas that is
hard to see.  You may be looking to make it harder.  Investigate a
wiring diagram before proceeding if you want to make things easier.

Toyota MDT in MO
Proctologically Violated©® - 28 Jun 2007 18:54 GMT
Greatly appreciate your help.

Few Qs:

Where might I find shematics?  Someone mentioned the Mitchell series at a
library.  Mebbe the service dept would photocopy sumpn for me?  Anywhere
else?

Is the compressor below the alternator?  Are any wires going to the
compressor necessarily for the clutch?

How do I tell high pressure side from low pressure?
And this low pressure switch:  It would be by the firewall?  With two wires?

There is one set of fuses by the drivers' left leg.  Is that the only set on
the drivers side?
I'll check under the glove box again, but I did look, and nothing was clear,
like the cover on the driver's side.

The MG thing is under the hood, clearly labeled on a fuse block.  What does
MG stand for?  Is that what they mean by heater/A/C circuit breaker, or is
this elsewhere?

I'm assuming that if something just goes out after a fender bender, it's
electrical.  Reasonable?

Thanks.
Signature

------
Mr. P.V.'d  (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

On Jun 27, 3:26 pm, "Proctologically Violated©®"
<entropic3.14de...@optonline2.718.net> wrote:
> Awl--
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Think it's electrical, and would like to explore that first.  The A/C
> stopped working after getting mildly rear ended.

> Would like to check fuses first, if that makes sense.
> Looked at the fuse panel by the driver's left leg, and it said on the
> cover
> "heater-A/C breakers by assist kick plate".
> What/where is an "assist kick plate"?

Depending on your vehicle (sounds like you don't know what you are
working on...) the A/C clutch fuse and MG relay may be behind the
passenger side kickplate under the glovebox area.  It should be a 7.5
or 10amp fuse.  There are plenty of other fuses in this system
however.

> Horn does not work, possibly a loose wire--there is a dangling wire, can't
> see where it goes.
> Mention this because this loose wire is also right next to what looks like
> the A/C condenser, and possibly may not be for the horn.
> Also don't see a horn fuse.  I see a horn relay in a fuse block under the
> hood, but no fuse.

There are fuses in the engine compartment box AND in the box up above
the driver's knee bolster or left kickpanel area.  Look both places.

The wire near the condenser should not be A/C related on a Corolla-
sortof-kindof.  It is likely a broken wire to the horn.  The important
A/C switches and wiring underhood for Corolla-sortofs are in the high
pressure line near the firewall where it goes into the evaporator.  I
have seen broken wiring in this area on several different bodystyles
of the early 1990's era Corolla.  Broken wire(s) here can cause
constant A/C fan operation or no A/C depending on which circuit is
open.

> Am still looking for the low pressure switch, mentioned to me in another
> thread, to jump out.  How do I recognize this?

There's a two wire "dual pressure switch" and a high pressure fan
switch on the high line (depending on your vehicle), and it's where I
specified above on old Corollas.

> The A/C compressor looks to be under the alternator, w/ one wire (that I
> can
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> If I could SEE where sh.t was, I'd have a better shot at sleuthing the
> problem.

There is very little of the A/C electrical system on Corollas that is
hard to see.  You may be looking to make it harder.  Investigate a
wiring diagram before proceeding if you want to make things easier.

Toyota MDT in MO
Comboverfish - 28 Jun 2007 19:16 GMT
On Jun 28, 12:54 pm, "Proctologically Violated??"
<entropic3.14de...@optonline2.718.net> wrote:
> Greatly appreciate your help.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> library.  Mebbe the service dept would photocopy sumpn for me?  Anywhere
> else?

Besides buying the info, are those two free resources not enough?
You can even get the exact factory info back to 1990 at www.techinfo.toyota.com
for $10 per day.  Print off what you need in .pdf form but it helps to
have Acrobat Reader 8.x.

> Is the compressor below the alternator?  Are any wires going to the
> compressor necessarily for the clutch?

Yes.  THE wire is for the clutch.  No other "compressor" wires on
Corolla-esque cars.

> How do I tell high pressure side from low pressure?

Only for the purpose of identifying where the switches are, the high
pressure line is smaller diameter.  NOW, if you know that little about
A/C, please don't even think about servicing any refrigerant holding
parts (don't unbolt/unscrew anything at the compressor, condenser,
drier, evaporator, at any lines or on any lines).  Don't touch it.
Don't even look at it.  Just enjoy the sustain.

> And this low pressure switch:  It would be by the firewall?  With two wires?

As previously stated, it is called a dual pressure switch and yes and
yes.

> There is one set of fuses by the drivers' left leg.  Is that the only set on
> the drivers side?

Probably.

> I'll check under the glove box again, but I did look, and nothing was clear,
> like the cover on the driver's side.

BEHIND THE RIGHT SIDE KICK PANEL.

> The MG thing is under the hood, clearly labeled on a fuse block.  What does
> MG stand for?  Is that what they mean by heater/A/C circuit breaker, or is
> this elsewhere?

MG is Toyota's term for A/C clutch relay.

> I'm assuming that if something just goes out after a fender bender, it's
> electrical.  Reasonable?

As reasonable as assuming that a component was jarred hard enough to
crack and lose all refrigerant.

------------------------------------------
That's as far as I go without an exact make, model, year, and engine.
I can help -given that info- during normal work hours.

Toyota MDT in MO
Proctologically Violated©® - 28 Jun 2007 20:07 GMT
On Jun 28, 12:54 pm, "Proctologically Violated©®"
<entropic3.14de...@optonline2.718.net> wrote:
> Greatly appreciate your help.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> library.  Mebbe the service dept would photocopy sumpn for me?  Anywhere
> else?

Besides buying the info, are those two free resources not enough?
You can even get the exact factory info back to 1990 at
www.techinfo.toyota.com
for $10 per day.  Print off what you need in .pdf form but it helps to
have Acrobat Reader 8.x.

> Is the compressor below the alternator?  Are any wires going to the
> compressor necessarily for the clutch?

Yes.  THE wire is for the clutch.  No other "compressor" wires on
Corolla-esque cars.

> How do I tell high pressure side from low pressure?

Only for the purpose of identifying where the switches are, the high
pressure line is smaller diameter.  NOW, if you know that little about
A/C, please don't even think about servicing any refrigerant holding
parts (don't unbolt/unscrew anything at the compressor, condenser,
drier, evaporator, at any lines or on any lines).  Don't touch it.
Don't even look at it.  Just enjoy the sustain.

> And this low pressure switch:  It would be by the firewall?  With two
> wires?

As previously stated, it is called a dual pressure switch and yes and
yes.

> There is one set of fuses by the drivers' left leg.  Is that the only set
> on
> the drivers side?

Probably.

> I'll check under the glove box again, but I did look, and nothing was
> clear,
> like the cover on the driver's side.

BEHIND THE RIGHT SIDE KICK PANEL.

> The MG thing is under the hood, clearly labeled on a fuse block.  What
> does
> MG stand for?  Is that what they mean by heater/A/C circuit breaker, or is
> this elsewhere?

MG is Toyota's term for A/C clutch relay.

> I'm assuming that if something just goes out after a fender bender, it's
> electrical.  Reasonable?

As reasonable as assuming that a component was jarred hard enough to
crack and lose all refrigerant.

------------------------------------------
That's as far as I go without an exact make, model, year, and engine.
I can help -given that info- during normal work hours.

-----------------

Bless you.
I'll try and get this info, but hopefully I'll make some headway with the
above.

What I'm going to do first is pull that wire from the compressor, and see if
it is energized, with the car (presumably) calling for A/C.

1. If it IS energized (with no jump on the pressure switch), then I know I
have either a bad clutch or a bad compressor.
2.  If it's not energized, then I know the problem is further upstream
someplace.
3.  If I then find the pressure switch, jump it out, and this wire  becomes
energized, I'll have two choices:
      a)  bad pressure switch, or  b) loss of refrigerant,
   I'll be able to distinguish which by seeing if cold air blows or not.

4. If I jump the pressure switch, and this wire is not energized, then
presumably there is still an electrical problem further upstream, possibly
the A/C switch itself on the dash.  That's a pita....  Hopefully it'll be a
fuse or that MG relay.
And,
5.  I could always run a jumper from the battery to the clutch, see what
happens.

Good so far?

A lot of this depends on being able to tell if the compressor is actually
engaged or not!
I can tell if I hear it go on and off, but how would I tell the state  if
it's *always* on, or always off??
Sorta not easy to tell (for an amateur) with all the engine noise, etc.

One more dumb Q:
What exactly is a kick plate??

Thanks again.
Signature

------
Mr. P.V.'d  (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

Toyota MDT in MO

aarcuda69062 - 28 Jun 2007 20:15 GMT
In article <0GTgi.595$Zk6.454@newsfe12.lga>,
"Proctologically Violated©®"
<entropic3.14decay@optonline2.718.net> wrote:

> One more dumb Q:
> What exactly is a kick plate??
>
> Thanks again.

The piece of interior trim that would be to the left or right of
your foot (respectively) if you're sitting in one of the front
seats.
Comboverfish - 28 Jun 2007 21:10 GMT
> I'll try and get this info, but hopefully I'll make some headway with the
> above.

I would think that listing basic car designations would be the easiest
part of this whole diagnostic procedure.

> What I'm going to do first is pull that wire from the compressor, and see if
> it is energized, with the car (presumably) calling forA/C.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Good so far?

Sound diagnostic strategy, yes.

> A lot of this depends on being able to tell if the compressor is actually
> engaged or not!
>  I can tell if I hear it go on and off, but how would I tell the state  if
> it's *always* on, or always off??
> Sorta not easy to tell (for an amateur) with all the engine noise, etc.

Look at the clutch hub with a flashlight while the engine is running.
It's easy to see, right under the alternator, it has its own belt on
Corollas.  You will see with a strong flashlight whether or not the
clutch is turning.

> One more dumb Q:
> What exactly is a kick plate??

Look at the frontmost, rightmost, lowest possible spot in the
passenger footwell.  There is a small plastic panel in that area that
covers up some wiring, relays, etc.  Example: if you were to 'kick'
your right foot to the right while seated in the passenger seat you
would hit the kick plate (unless you are Emmanuel Lewis or Billy
Barty).

Toyota MDT in MO
Proctologically Violated©® - 29 Jun 2007 19:26 GMT
OK--
It's going to be a cupla days or so 'til I can get to this car, when I'll
get the info and start this sleuthing process.
God-god willing, if I run a jump to the compressor, I'll see dat hub turn,
and feel some cold air blow!

I'll then have option of sleuthing the true culprit down, or just keeping
the jump and running a switch inside to the cabin area.
It is, after all, a 1991 car!
But, it runs sweet.

Thanks again!
Signature

------
Mr. P.V.'d  (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

>> I'll try and get this info, but hopefully I'll make some headway with the
>> above.
[quoted text clipped - 53 lines]
>
> Toyota MDT in MO
 
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