a/c clutch will not engage

El Supracabras · 07-12-2011, 10:30 PM

No you will only see oil in there if the compressor is pumping. Retro fit kits are usually wherever the R134A is kept. Ask the counter person if you cant find them. You will also want to change the receiver/dryer (canister w/ window). There are 2 switches in the pipe going into the firewall just under the passenger side strut tower. I don't remember which is which but one controls the fan and the other is called a dual pressure switch (hi/lo), this one would cut out the compressor clutch if triggered by an incorrect pressure or if it was defective. Good luck.

Sonyps307 · 07-13-2011, 01:54 AM

Did Toyota switch to the r134a systems cause my 89 has the r134a fittings and not the r12 fitting. Unless The first owner did the refitting.

El Supracabras · 07-13-2011, 04:34 AM

I believe all cars sold in the U.S. after 1995 use R134A. Anything before that would originally use R12 with possibly very few exceptions.

speedfiend · 07-13-2011, 11:27 PM

There is also a fuse block in the passenger kick panel with a 10amp fuse in it.
That's where my a/c issue was...
If you had a bad pressure switch or amplifier the a/c light would flash.

Green7mgte · 07-14-2011, 01:34 AM

just get yourself a supra stick.. everyone has it. be sure to put a jdm sticker on it.

1991 supra guy · 07-24-2011, 02:48 PM

Thanks I unplugged and bypassed one of the switches and the clutch engaged making a terrible grinding noise and smoked a bit, also engine ran very rough. The system did not absorb any of the freon, so I shut it off. My thoughts were if freon was low once absorbing a bit would stop the noise. I did not let this run for long before shutting off. Decided to take it to someone with more knowledge but wanted to get a few thoughts here. The switch i bypassed was reinstalled, now when i start the car I get the same noise from the compressor with ac button off. I'd like to remove the ac belt but the adjustment belt pulley does not move only the bolt backs out, any ideas ? I'm sorry this all seems so scattered. I appreciate all responses.

speedfiend · 07-24-2011, 08:40 PM

You at least have a bad a/c clutch.
To remove the belt loosen the center pulley nut and then the tensioner bolt.
If all else fails... cut it.

El Supracabras · 07-25-2011, 08:37 PM

That terrible grinding noise is never good. It might just be rust grinding off the clutch surface if it hasn't been used in awhile but not likely. Remove the belt and see if it spins by hand smoothly. The car is old, it is probably leaking and should be checked properly for leaks before buying anything. It would be best to replace the compressor and clutch together along with the dryer and some new freon.
Its prolly not gonna be cheap. If you cant handle fixing it all at once just cut the belt off, roll the windows down (and take the top off if your in a targa!) and save your money for gas.

07-13-2011, 11:27 PM	#4
speedfiend Intake Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mobile, AL/ Iquitos, Peru Posts: 36	There is also a fuse block in the passenger kick panel with a 10amp fuse in it. That's where my a/c issue was... If you had a bad pressure switch or amplifier the a/c light would flash. __________________ 88 N/A targa, 5 speed, tint, thumpin' tunes, APEXi & KYB's, tweaked AFM, Hayden fan... *5 Favorite yodas I've owned, I am a believer!* 85 Supra 5 speed, tint, sunroof 77 Celica GT, 20R, 5 speed, tint, cam, header, tweaked Mikuni S/Ds, K&N 91 DX & 99 LE Camrys, for when I did the family thing 86 1 Ton P/U, 22RE, SR-5 speed, tint, buckets, 500w stereo, header, alloys, tweaked AFM, K&N 86 4x4, 22RE 5-speed, tint, 4" lift, cam, header, tweaked AFM, K&N, bored .040 500 character limit... Last edited by speedfiend; 07-14-2011 at 03:00 AM.

07-14-2011, 01:34 AM	#5
Green7mgte Supra Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Green-Ohio Posts: 1,297	just get yourself a supra stick.. everyone has it. be sure to put a jdm sticker on it. __________________ 92 Ma71 7mGTE Auto. SafcII Supra FAQ Supra MKIII FAQ Classified Section guidelines :

07-24-2011, 02:48 PM	#6
1991 supra guy Stock Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: alabama Posts: 6	supra ac Thanks I unplugged and bypassed one of the switches and the clutch engaged making a terrible grinding noise and smoked a bit, also engine ran very rough. The system did not absorb any of the freon, so I shut it off. My thoughts were if freon was low once absorbing a bit would stop the noise. I did not let this run for long before shutting off. Decided to take it to someone with more knowledge but wanted to get a few thoughts here. The switch i bypassed was reinstalled, now when i start the car I get the same noise from the compressor with ac button off. I'd like to remove the ac belt but the adjustment belt pulley does not move only the bolt backs out, any ideas ? I'm sorry this all seems so scattered. I appreciate all responses.

07-24-2011, 08:40 PM	#7
speedfiend Intake Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mobile, AL/ Iquitos, Peru Posts: 36	You at least have a bad a/c clutch. To remove the belt loosen the center pulley nut and then the tensioner bolt. If all else fails... cut it. __________________ 88 N/A targa, 5 speed, tint, thumpin' tunes, APEXi & KYB's, tweaked AFM, Hayden fan... *5 Favorite yodas I've owned, I am a believer!* 85 Supra 5 speed, tint, sunroof 77 Celica GT, 20R, 5 speed, tint, cam, header, tweaked Mikuni S/Ds, K&N 91 DX & 99 LE Camrys, for when I did the family thing 86 1 Ton P/U, 22RE, SR-5 speed, tint, buckets, 500w stereo, header, alloys, tweaked AFM, K&N 86 4x4, 22RE 5-speed, tint, 4" lift, cam, header, tweaked AFM, K&N, bored .040 500 character limit...

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07-12-2011, 10:30 PM	#1
El Supracabras 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 240	No you will only see oil in there if the compressor is pumping. Retro fit kits are usually wherever the R134A is kept. Ask the counter person if you cant find them. You will also want to change the receiver/dryer (canister w/ window). There are 2 switches in the pipe going into the firewall just under the passenger side strut tower. I don't remember which is which but one controls the fan and the other is called a dual pressure switch (hi/lo), this one would cut out the compressor clutch if triggered by an incorrect pressure or if it was defective. Good luck.

07-13-2011, 01:54 AM	#2
Sonyps307 Lexus & 550's Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 526	Did Toyota switch to the r134a systems cause my 89 has the r134a fittings and not the r12 fitting. Unless The first owner did the refitting.

07-13-2011, 04:34 AM	#3
El Supracabras 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 240	I believe all cars sold in the U.S. after 1995 use R134A. Anything before that would originally use R12 with possibly very few exceptions.

07-25-2011, 08:37 PM	#8
El Supracabras 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 240	That terrible grinding noise is never good. It might just be rust grinding off the clutch surface if it hasn't been used in awhile but not likely. Remove the belt and see if it spins by hand smoothly. The car is old, it is probably leaking and should be checked properly for leaks before buying anything. It would be best to replace the compressor and clutch together along with the dryer and some new freon. Its prolly not gonna be cheap. If you cant handle fixing it all at once just cut the belt off, roll the windows down (and take the top off if your in a targa!) and save your money for gas.