Air Conditioner on My 2003 Camry Broke

Jackdawson79 on 21/10/2023 - 10:04
Last edited 21/10/2023 - 11:25 by 1 other user

Hi my Air Conditioning on my 2003 Camry broke.

It doesn't work at all on the lower settings it only works on the setting marked " HIGH". It works normally on high except it makes a strange noise. What do you think the problem is?

As it's an old car it's not worth spending much money fixing it, do you think it's a serious expensive problem or something that could be fixed cheaply. Also where do l take it to be fixed, would a regular mechanic where l get my car serviced do the job or would l need to take it to some sort of A/C specialist.

Automotive Air Conditioner Car Toyota

Comments

  • JIMB0 on 21/10/2023 - 10:14
    +3

    SOunds like a problem with the fAN.

  • brendanm on 21/10/2023 - 10:23
    +4

    That's not an ac problem, that's a failed fan speed resistor. The noise may also indicate either a problem with the blower motor itself, or it may simply have debris in it.

    • Jackdawson79 on 21/10/2023 - 11:49

      thanks if its a failed fan speed resistor what sort of cost would it be

      • brendanm on 21/10/2023 - 12:52
        +1

        Fire up google, type "2003 Camry fan speed resistor".

        • Muzeeb on 21/10/2023 - 13:44
          +6

          What is this Google black magic wizardry you speak of?

          • brendanm on 21/10/2023 - 18:36

            @Muzeeb: Yes, not many people know if it, but it can be of help every now and then.

        • HairyChickens on 21/10/2023 - 14:18
          -2

          2003 Camry fan speed resistor price

          As of my last training data in January 2022, I cannot provide real-time price information. However, a blower motor resistor for a 2003 Toyota Camry typically ranged from $10 to $50 for aftermarket parts, depending on the brand and where you purchase it. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts may cost more.

          For an accurate and current price, I'd recommend checking a local auto parts store, an online auto parts retailer, or a Toyota dealership. Always ensure the compatibility of the part with your specific vehicle's specifications and trim level.

          GPT-4

  • resisting the urge on 21/10/2023 - 10:31
    +2

    Fan, and fan resistor. If one goes, the other is likely. At 20 years, both are EOL either way. Take it to your nearest trusted local mechanic. Not a franchise, not a dealer… most are good with old Toyotas, if they aren't, they'd be pretty hopeless.

    Get them to verify the cause of your clearly stated fault, and quote you to fix the cause, and anything else that may be 'ready to die' at the same time FTW.

  • mrdean on 21/10/2023 - 10:55
    +3

    Go old school aircon. Open the windows. Avoid tunnels.

    • Nugs on 21/10/2023 - 11:42

      Armstrong airconditioning
      .

      • Euphemistic on 21/10/2023 - 12:20

        WD100 air conditioning.

        • freefall101 on 21/10/2023 - 12:31
          +1

          Russian air-conditioning.

    • Jackdawson79 on 21/10/2023 - 13:17

      Not much good on 43c degree day when the air that comes in is like a furance

      • simplystu on 21/10/2023 - 13:35
        +2

        the youth these days … sheesh.
        back in the day …

        early 2000'ish I did a 3 month trip up north in a 4WD with NO AIRCON - middle of summer with many 40+ degree days … then in 90's did a family trip over to east coast (datsun stanza) … 2 adults + 3 kids … also no aircon.

        • Muzeeb on 21/10/2023 - 13:46
          +5

          My mum drove an orange xb falcon when I was a kid. That brown vinyl interior was hotter than the sun. I remember mum could hardly touch the bakelite type steering wheel it was so damn hot. Character building days back then.

          • simplystu on 21/10/2023 - 13:53
            +1

            @Muzeeb: then you should fully appreciate … rolling down windows + letting nature cool things down :)
            No wonder our world is overheating … with all this over-inventing things.

            Saying that though … if you have lived in Karratha during middle of summer … having aircon is like "a gift from god".

            • Zondor on 23/10/2023 - 09:34

              @simplystu: "rolling down windows + letting nature cool things down :)"

              Brah if it's 43c outside nature ain't cooling jack.

          • LFO on 22/10/2023 - 13:04
            +1

            @Muzeeb: Character building days back then.

            And scars for life too … :-|

        • jaypee06 on 23/10/2023 - 11:08

          nobody wants to stand next to you when your shirt is drenched in sweat

        • Euphemistic on 25/10/2023 - 14:10

          Back in the good old days when AC wasn’t standard, we drove from Perth to Sydney. Old man fitted an aftermarket AC to our car because he knew it was gonna be hot on the Nullarbor.

          Didn’t use the AC because we got lucky with a cool change while we drove across.

      • mrdean on 21/10/2023 - 14:25
        +1

        It's not for nothing most southern european countries have a siesta or break during the hottest part of the day.

        I'd be cool to see some common sense return to people.

      • ssfps on 22/10/2023 - 02:53

        The best drives are where the radiator isn't cooling your old cruiser on a 40C+ day and you have to put the heater on max to stop the engine from overheating. Then the 43c air from the open window is really refreshing.

  • boomramada on 21/10/2023 - 11:12
    -3

    Time for upgrade.

  • Protractor on 21/10/2023 - 11:15
    +1

    If it's fan switch or resistor, check out online DIY vids and do it yourself

  • nubzy on 21/10/2023 - 11:40
    +2

    AC wasn't working and turns out the fan speed controller had failed in my car. It cost $300 for diagnosis, part and replacement. If I knew what it was would have done it myself for much cheaper as I found the part for about $40 online. But was glad it wasn't a failed compressor or other expensive component..

    • brad1-8tsi on 23/10/2023 - 20:31

      Paying for diagnosis means paying for skill, knowledge and experience

  • Slinky0111 on 21/10/2023 - 11:55
    +1

    As others have stated it sounds like the blower fan and or resistor have gone

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 21/10/2023 - 12:19
    +4

    too much money fixing it

    Just roll the windows down and let wind power save the day

    Being a Camry you prob still got another 500,000km left on it, might as well run it into the ground.

  • Euphemistic on 21/10/2023 - 12:24
    +2

    I had fan load resistor fail twice on my navara. I suspect the second time it was overloaded because the blower motor seized and let out the magic smoke. Having the cabin fill with electrical fire smoke was a little disconcerting. Symptom for the fan load resistor was it not working no on 1, then 2, then only on max.

    New resistor was around $30 and a 5min fix. Wrecker fan was around $150 from memory, and a bit more work to install but definitely DIYable.

    Google how to replace them for your car. Probably not to difficult … but since you’ve asked here and not googled yourself I suspect it’s beyond you to DIY

    • Hangryuman on 23/10/2023 - 13:54

      as my students used to say when I gave them details for a specific project - "I tried google and there's NOTHING !!!"

      I would glance at their screen - typically they had googled 'project management' and their screen displayed something like 'About 4,570,000,000 results (0.66 seconds)'

      not finding the exact answer to my specific question on the first page of results they gave up then and there …

  • milanoxpress on 21/10/2023 - 14:12
    +1

    Don't know what part is gone dead but if you can find a mechanic that does know what part need replacing that would be a good start.
    Then if you know specifically which part you need, then search local 2nd hand auto parts store which the part comes from dismantled camrys.

    What I would really be concerned about is the 2az-fe 4 banger excessive engine oil consumption. It was a design fault for that engine. Some recalled in USA.
    I don't know if any Aussie Camrys are drinking engine oil like there's no tomorrow.

    Regularly checking oil level & topping up is the only cheaper solution. Unless you do a complete engine rebuild costing at least $2500 Inc labour.

    *Edit

    If you have the V6 Camry no need to worry about excessive engine oil consumption. Maybe change oil religiously to avoid sludge.

    That 02-06 era Camrys are built like a tank. But at 20 years old something has to fail because of years of wear & tear.

    • brendanm on 21/10/2023 - 17:47
      +1

      Lol, excessive oil consumption was in about 0.01% of those engines produced, you've spent too much time on internet forums. I also think topping the oil up every now and then is hardly the end of the world for a 2003 Camry.

  • Cave Fire on 21/10/2023 - 16:33
    -2

    Check the belts as that's basic maintenance. May have to adjust or replace which isn't too hard. Try heat to see if there's any difference. At that point, a failure would rule out blockage. Coolant change if it's time and look up heater core flush. You have to drive around with the heat on full, which is fun. Can post on toyotanation or toymods if you want detailed info or to post pics.

    • brendanm on 21/10/2023 - 17:48
      +1

      Belt has an auto tensioner, and the belt, heater and coolant have nothing to do with a blower fan that isn't working.

      • Cave Fire on 21/10/2023 - 22:21
        -2

        Might move something around. Also said to do basic maintenance or get that done. Could be as simple as turning the heater on sometimes + changing coolant (to avoid different issues). Rad cap is also good to change.

        • brendanm on 22/10/2023 - 18:22

          I don't know what you are saying, you are just listing more things that have no relation to the blower motor.

  • altomic on 21/10/2023 - 19:31

    I replaced the thermal fan resistor on my outlander 3 weeks ago. My fan wasnt blowing at all. Removed the fan (it wasnt turning very well/bearings were half seized ) and replaced that (bought a lancer fan as they are the same part but half the price off ebay) , and a thermal reisitor for $28 delivered. The reisitor its self is easy to swap out .

  • WreckTangle on 22/10/2023 - 11:35

    Is your fan turning?

  • LFO on 22/10/2023 - 13:08

    It works normally on high except it makes a strange noise. What do you think the problem is?

    If it works at high then the fan works.

    Strange noise? Like a leaf or an insect or a branch or mud or a … or a mouse stuck in the fan's propeller?

    Does it have a cabin air filter? To check how "clean" it is; usually could see the fan form there.

    I'm with you that air conn is very important.

  • doctordv8 on 22/10/2023 - 16:04
    -2

    Back in the day… no Air conditioning…and we carried our horses when they were tired to and from school…. lol.

    So, your Air Conditioner DOES work, but not on all settings of the Fan Speeds, and the Fan is noisy. Forget the AC, that one is for free.

    Yes, it could be one of or a combination of items already listed above by OzBargain Autos & I know what I would put money on.

    Just junked out one of those…. all gone now mind, but in hind sight eh'.

    Your Mechanic, is your 1st port of call, we all have our AC or Elec' Diagnostic Specialists on speed dial if we can't see it in a minute.

    It is what we do every week, so stop wasting time. If your guy is a good'un, a quick look is a freebie, and if they are honest, you have nothing to lose.

    As you did not know how find it yourself, you will probably not know how to repair it yourself, and pay your friendly W'Shop a quick visit.

    And no, I will not list the most likely fault, my crystal ball fails when I read most Faults listed in here. I diagnose…. I do do not guess.

    • doctordv8 on 23/10/2023 - 16:26

      Why the Neg? Who is sooking now?

      • brendanm on 23/10/2023 - 19:32

        And no, I will not list the most likely fault, my crystal ball fails when I read most Faults listed in here. I diagnose…. I do do not guess.

        If the fan works only on high, and not on the other speeds, there is only one item that can cause this. Very easy internet diagnosis.

        • doctordv8 on 24/10/2023 - 20:16

          Yes I agree 99%, except for the other few things that may cause it. There was also the Noise issue. Did you neg me for that?

          • brendanm on 24/10/2023 - 21:17

            @doctordv8: What other things would that be?

          • howcan on 25/10/2023 - 13:38
            -1

            @doctordv8: You were possibly negged because:

            OP:

            What do you think the problem is?

            You:

            I will not list the most likely fault

            • doctordv8 on 26/10/2023 - 12:42

              @howcan: I have learnt after 45+ years in the Automotive Trade, that only a real Diagnosis truly matters, especially with Electrical issues. Just because the Resister was the fault 48 times before, does not mean it is now. It is my 1st test thou.

              This site has so many armchair unqualified folk giving incorrect repair info it is scary, and often wrong and dangerous. It just seems as soon as common sense and safety is brought into the answers, it gets Neg'd too often.

              I did say most all possibilities were already covered in previous answers, if anyone cared to read.

              So, as the most likely Fault was previously stated, and I am not on the spot to check for myself, there was no need to state further except I understand 12V is comparatively weak and can be quite finicky, components, terminations susceptible to corrosion creating voltage issues, as are switches etc. Ever had a Bad Earth to track … often a head scratcher.

              It still stands, go see the guy to diagnose the fault on the spot, and stop wasting time guessing.

  • JafferMoney on 23/10/2023 - 10:26
    -1

    Mate…just get a new car…

    • Euphemistic on 23/10/2023 - 15:29

      It’s a Camry, not a BMW. It’ll be cheap to repair.

      • JafferMoney on 23/10/2023 - 17:46

        It's 20 years old…what's the point…

        • Euphemistic on 23/10/2023 - 18:17
          +1

          It’s a Camry. It’s probably got at least another 5yr in it. More likely 10. If you can fix it for $150 it’ll be worth it.

          Repairing is going to be a lot cheaper than upgrading.

        • brendanm on 23/10/2023 - 19:33

          It's working and will continue working for a long time most likely, it needs a $30 part replaced.

        • brad1-8tsi on 23/10/2023 - 20:41

          It's 20 years old…what's the point…

          For a simple and obvious fault that's relatively cheap then it's worthwhile.

          We just sold our 23yo Mazda 323 because the AC condenser was leaking and the estimate was "count on $1k because we'll probably find other leaks after we fix the major one. And it may break down again." So there was a bit of mystery on whether spending $1k on top of rego due in December plus the usual yearly service that always seems to be $1k, plus coil packs/leads on the way out plus timing belt hasn't been done for 7 years.
          It was a no-brainer to give it a wash & vacuum and sell on FB for $2500 and move on.

          • Euphemistic on 24/10/2023 - 09:11

            @brad1-8tsi: It’s absolutely not worth doing a timing belt on that age car. If it fails, but another one. Keep the $1500-$2k in your pocket you’d spend on a timing belt for a new ride IF it actually fails.

            • brad1-8tsi on 24/10/2023 - 10:46

              @Euphemistic: Timing belt would have been $800 but when u added up the forecast expenses for the next 12 months the guy that bought it was spending around $5k in total.

              My partner bought a very nice 2017 VW Golf Alltrack. Probably not the most reliable idea but this one is a 3-4 year ownership timeline and I'm fairly handy with VW silliness.

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