I have a 2006 Prius with about 45k miles on it. My problem is that my air conditioner will not come on when I press the "on" button. I have to ride with windows down, temp on max cool, and not on recirculate, and all of a sudden, it comes on. Cold air and all. I have noticed some time ago, before this started, that when I turned it on, and I would hear a sound that sounded like a door creaking, trying to open. Now it doesn't come on at all unless I do what I described above ( I can still hear the creaking). Also, now when it finally comes on, the fan makes a slight, but noticeable tapping noise. What do you folks think could be wrong, and is this an expensive fix ?
Did it ever work right? If yes, take it to a dealer for diagnosis and repair. If no, are you sure that you're setting the desired temperature low enough?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Oct 16 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]526347[/snapback]</div> Yes, it has worked fine until recently.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gfm2750 @ Oct 16 2007, 10:08 AM) [snapback]526351[/snapback]</div> I have a 07 and hear a similar "door creaking" noise. My AC works perfectly thought and gets cold and the fan is on. I don't know what causes it. I think if the AC is turned on, it's fine and it just goes. But, when the AC is trying to maintain a certain temp, i hear the creaking noise. Looks like we have similar issues.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gfm2750 @ Oct 16 2007, 10:49 AM) [snapback]526335[/snapback]</div> From the mileage and the age, sounds like the vehicle is still under warranty. What's keeping you from taking it in for diagnosis and repair? Case in point for Troy's extended warranty. A few more miles and you would have been SOL. The air conditioning compressor went out on my '05 at 55k miles. Extended warranty covered the $1,300 repair.
Is the Sun sensor covered up by something? It's far forward and at the far left on the top of the dash, under the windshield, just about where most states put the registration and/or inspection stickers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Oct 16 2007, 03:59 PM) [snapback]526492[/snapback]</div> Good point. In NC the inspection sticker does a perfect job of blocking the sun from hitting the sensor. I had the inspection guy put the sticker a little higher in order to let the sunlight hit the sensor.
