A/C only blowing out of passenger side? - Toyota Yaris Forums

devinlamothe · 07-20-2011, 08:41 AM

So here's a weird one. The other day I turn my A/C on and it doesn't feel that cold. I thought, OK, it IS really hot so maybe it needs time to cool down the air.

Not the case. I felt the passenger side centre duct and it was freezing, as was the passenger vent by the window. It's strange since the centre duct is ONE unit with just a splitter on the dash...

Does anyone know what I can check? Obviously the A/C is working fine but it seems I am not getting much cold air at all from the drivers side. I've checked the obvious so far (ie: removed cabin filter, checked the centre dash vent for obstructions).

CTScott · 07-20-2011, 09:10 AM

Try closing the passenger one and see if the driver's side one starts blowing or perhaps some debris or a critter come popping out.

devinlamothe · 07-20-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

Try closing the passenger one and see if the driver's side one starts blowing or perhaps some debris or a critter come popping out.

I will try that and let you know.

I think it's strange though how the centre duct can have two separate temps even though they come from a single duct ... lol.

CTScott · 07-20-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

I will try that and let you know.

I think it's strange though how the centre duct can have two separate temps even though they come from a single duct ... lol.

Exactly - That's why I suspect a critter making its home in there.

devinlamothe · 07-20-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

Exactly - That's why I suspect a critter making its home in there.

So I did what you said and I even took my dash apart and looked inside and nothing was there blocking anything. Checked all the mechanical actuators to make sure the doors were opening when I changed the settings and they worked too.

Could it be I just need a recharge? Never had one done before.

CTScott · 07-20-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

So I did what you said and I even took my dash apart and looked inside and nothing was there blocking anything. Checked all the mechanical actuators to make sure the doors were opening when I changed the settings and they worked too.

Could it be I just need a recharge? Never had one done before.

Maybe. Usually when it needs to be charged, the output never gets cold. It seems odd that the center and passenger side are blowing cold.

devinlamothe · 07-21-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

Maybe. Usually when it needs to be charged, the output never gets cold. It seems odd that the center and passenger side are blowing cold.

Well now it's working again. After taking the dash apart and checking everything, I put everything back together and was like hmm I will check the H and L ports on the AC lines. The H cap was kind of loose so I tightened it. Also, I checked the AC temp monitor on the front bumper and it had fallen off the mount, so I used some zip ties and put it back.

For some reason one of those things fixed the issue. I now have mostly the same temp from all vents.

devinlamothe · 07-21-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

Maybe. Usually when it needs to be charged, the output never gets cold. It seems odd that the center and passenger side are blowing cold.

OK now today it's not working again. The drivers sides never get cold while the passenger side gets cool but not as cold as it should be.

I'm thinking it just needs to be recharged.

EDIT: Just an update, I checked the 'sight glass' on my AC and its bubbling like mad so yeah, low on refrigerant. Time to recharge!!

devinlamothe · 07-25-2011, 03:37 PM

Update on this: Took it in to Toyota for a regular oil change and got them to check the AC just for the fun of it. The guy did a pressure test and said there was barely any Freon left.

They said it was most likely a small leak so they recharged the whole thing and added the dye ... told me to come back in a couple of days to check to see if they could find the leak. Depending on where the leak is I may or may not get the repair done right away as it could end up being $$$$$$$$$$$ to fix.

devinlamothe · 07-25-2011, 06:25 PM

Another update ... it's the sight glass!

Is there an o-ring seal under it? Because there's no way in hell I am replacing the entire Liquid line ($450 part) just because of the sight glass.

CTScott · 07-25-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Another update ... it's the sight glass!

Is there an o-ring seal under it? Because there's no way in hell I am replacing the entire Liquid line ($450 part) just because of the sight glass.

No, it's all one piece. That line lists for under $200.

devinlamothe · 07-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

No, it's all one piece. That line lists for under $200.

Ugh. Well that sucks. It even looks like you can pop the glass out ... but of course they would make you replace the whole line. Our local shop has the part for $468 (LOL), but I see TRD Sparks has it for $166 plus shipping ... so I think I'll grab it there.

I just hope labour isn't $$$$.

CTScott · 07-26-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Ugh. Well that sucks. It even looks like you can pop the glass out ... but of course they would make you replace the whole line. Our local shop has the part for $468 (LOL), but I see TRD Sparks has it for $166 plus shipping ... so I think I'll grab it there.

I just hope labour isn't $$$$.

You could self install it and then just have them purge and fill it. It's too bad that I threw away all of Crashy's under hood A/C components. Her compressor was cracked, so I pulled it off along with the lines. I didn't realize how valuable they were.

devinlamothe · 07-26-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

You could self install it and then just have them purge and fill it. It's too bad that I threw away all of Crashy's under hood A/C components. Her compressor was cracked, so I pulled it off along with the lines. I didn't realize how valuable they were.

I would self install, however they JUST recharged the entire system with dye and refrigerant so I would have to have it purged again. Not a big deal I suppose... also, I would have to figure out how to remove and install the line, haha.

EDIT: Never mind it looks really easy to do it myself ... just some bolts and O-Rings for seals.

devinlamothe · 07-26-2011, 08:49 AM

Actually I have a quick question for those of you who know about AC systems.

Do I have to replace the drier at the same time as the line? I'm getting conflicting answers saying it you change any part you should replace the drier at the same time to prevent any moisture in the system, but I don't know.

CTScott · 07-26-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Actually I have a quick question for those of you who know about AC systems.

Do I have to replace the drier at the same time as the line? I'm getting conflicting answers saying it you change any part you should replace the drier at the same time to prevent any moisture in the system, but I don't know.

The general rule of thumb with A/C is that you do replace the drier when replacing parts on a leaking system, but considering that yours still had some freon in it (i.e. did not completely vent), you would be safe with not replacing it.

devinlamothe · 07-26-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

The general rule of thumb with A/C is that you do replace the drier when replacing parts on a leaking system, but considering that yours still had some freon in it (i.e. did not completely vent), you would be safe with not replacing it.

Well when I replace the liquid line I'm going to have to have the entire system evacuated aren't I? I don't want to have any of the 134a vent to the atmosphere.

I ordered a replacement drier desiccant bag anyways (I think it was $28).

CTScott · 07-26-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Well when I replace the liquid line I'm going to have to have the entire system evacuated aren't I? I don't want to have any of the 134a vent to the atmosphere.

I ordered a replacement drier desiccant bag anyways (I think it was $28).

Correct. It will have to be evacuated before replacing the part, and then again once the part is on to remove any particulate and moisture.

07-20-2011, 08:41 AM	#1
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	A/C only blowing out of passenger side? So here's a weird one. The other day I turn my A/C on and it doesn't feel that cold. I thought, OK, it IS really hot so maybe it needs time to cool down the air. Not the case. I felt the passenger side centre duct and it was freezing, as was the passenger vent by the window. It's strange since the centre duct is ONE unit with just a splitter on the dash... Does anyone know what I can check? Obviously the A/C is working fine but it seems I am not getting much cold air at all from the drivers side. I've checked the obvious so far (ie: removed cabin filter, checked the centre dash vent for obstructions).

07-20-2011, 09:10 AM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	Try closing the passenger one and see if the driver's side one starts blowing or perhaps some debris or a critter come popping out. __________________

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07-25-2011, 03:37 PM	#9
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Update on this: Took it in to Toyota for a regular oil change and got them to check the AC just for the fun of it. The guy did a pressure test and said there was barely any Freon left. They said it was most likely a small leak so they recharged the whole thing and added the dye ... told me to come back in a couple of days to check to see if they could find the leak. Depending on where the leak is I may or may not get the repair done right away as it could end up being $$$$$$$$$$$ to fix.

07-25-2011, 06:25 PM	#10
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Another update ... it's the sight glass! Is there an o-ring seal under it? Because there's no way in hell I am replacing the entire Liquid line ($450 part) just because of the sight glass.

07-26-2011, 08:49 AM	#15
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Actually I have a quick question for those of you who know about AC systems. Do I have to replace the drier at the same time as the line? I'm getting conflicting answers saying it you change any part you should replace the drier at the same time to prevent any moisture in the system, but I don't know.