pusan8

Hello everyone,
I am new and want to ask if anyone have an answer to a problem that I have. I have a 2004 RX330 with navigation, with about 34K. A week ago we were going through a puddle driving about 35-40 mph and the screen on the navi flashes "check air conditioning" and then the air shut off. It took us about 5 mins to restart the air. Can anybody tell me what is going on. We have 18 in wheel so I figure we are safe to go through puddle. This is the first time I experienced this problem. Thanks for any help or advice.

Lil4X

Welcome to CL pusan8!

Yes, this is a known problem with both the RX 300 and the RX 330. It seems that mounting the compressor so low puts the drive belt in the path of a splash from the front wheels, making the belt slip and kicking out the electric clutch. I've not heard an answer to this, except to cycle the "auto" button to immediately re-start the compressor. It is very annoying, anyone heard of a fix?

The G Man

18 in wheels will not increase your RX ability to go through puddles.

salimshah

I chalk this one as a protection that gets triggered by a splash. Annoyance but not a biggie for me as it has happened twice in 8 yrs. [once in Houston on a rainy day. I guess the level of grief depends how often it gets triggered ]

Salim

RXSF

no biggie, happened to me one time. just look at it as a safety shutoff to prevent the car from damaging itself.

jednav

I also believe this is a safety feature. On my MB, it is.

Bill_GS3

Lexus does that so in case the compressor locks up and stops spinning, the belt will not be stressed and break.

There is a speed sensor in the compressor that tells the ECU what is happening, when the ECU sees a big difference it shuts down the ac compressor.

NeverSatisfied

ALWAYS happens when I go through a puddle, say above 30mph. All I do is press the "auto" button a couple of times and it's fine. NO other problems with my RX's a/c from day one *knock on wood*!