I have a friend with a 1999 camry (pencil light) with a mileage of 251011. When he drives without the ac the car moves superbly but as soon as the ac is on, the car drags and seems 2be on a heavy load. Most especially wen climbing a hilly road stretch, we noticed that if we switch off the ac compressor, the car climb faster than when it is on. When the car stops but still in Drive (with ac), the rpm drops to 500 and car vibrates a little and requires more power to take off again. The engine still steams in the morning and regular oil change is done. We noticed it consumes a bit more fuel than necessary. Pls, auto gurus, what do you advise cos my friend is thinking of disposing the car. Thank you.

After 29 views, nobody gree reply? Nawa oooo

First step: Scan the car and post the codes generated.

LET HIM CHECK THE ENGINE ACTUATOR...ITS SUPPOSED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXTRA LOAD... IF NOT WORKING PROPERLY SUCH CAN OCCUR

andre82: I have a friend with a 1999 camry (pencil light) with a mileage of 251011. When he drives without the ac the car moves superbly but as soon as the ac is on, the car drags and seems 2be on a heavy load. Most especially wen climbing a hilly road stretch, we noticed that if we switch off the ac compressor, the car climb faster than when it is on. When the car stops but still in Drive (with ac), the rpm drops to 500 and car vibrates a little and requires more power to take off again. The engine still steams in the morning and regular oil change is done. We noticed it consumes a bit more fuel than necessary. Pls, auto gurus, what do you advise cos my friend is thinking of disposing the car. Thank you.

andre82: I have a friend with a 1999 camry (pencil light) with a mileage of 251011. When he drives without the ac the car moves superbly but as soon as the ac is on, the car drags and seems 2be on a heavy load. Most especially wen climbing a hilly road stretch, we noticed that if we switch off the ac compressor, the car climb faster than when it is on. When the car stops but still in Drive (with ac), the rpm drops to 500 and car vibrates a little and requires more power to take off again. The engine still steams in the morning and regular oil change is done. We noticed it consumes a bit more fuel than necessary. Pls, auto gurus, what do you advise cos my friend is thinking of disposing the car. Thank you.

This particular problem occurs when the compressor is bad or the cooling system has had an ac gas refill beyond the capacity that the compressor can handle.

The compressor can weigh the engine down severely and increase the demand on the engine to drive it. That could also increase the fuel consumption of your car and may eventually damage the compressor or wear your engine out due to the high revs demanded from the engine especially on uphill climbs.

It may also be due to low oil in the compressor.

If your compressor, condenser and expansion valve are still ok, have your ac system regassed with the right amount of gas (not more than 2 1/2 cans of the regular rf134 gas) and the right quantity of oil (about 250ml) filled in after a full discharge and cleaning out of the ac system.

That should cure your problem.

Car-Doctor.

Hello guys I use the same car as op, I recently noticed that when I start the car esp in
Morning or when parked for a while , my steering is kinda stiff to turn, but after sometime, it comes back to normalcy. Please whAt can be cause ?
Thanks for anticipated response

@ car doctor and smartchoice. Thanks for the info. Rily appreciate. Pls, where is the actuator located so that we can point it out 2the mech. Thanks for ur anticipated response.

NOT A MECHS WORK BUT THE CAR ELECTRICIAN....DONT KNOW WHERE IT IS IN TOYOTAS, ONLY KNOW THAT OF MERCEDES PLEASE ASK THE CAR DOCTOR....

andre82: @ car doctor and smartchoice. Thanks for the info. Rily appreciate. Pls, where is the actuator located so that we can point it out 2the mech. Thanks for ur anticipated response.

Hello guys I use the same car as op, I recently noticed that when I start the car esp in
Morning or when parked for a while , my steering is kinda stiff to turn, but after sometime, it comes back to normalcy. Please whAt can be cause ?
Thanks for anticipated response
pleas this is also the problem am having on my car presently,can someone be of help/

Pls my own car Camry 94 model is also do the samething even if I drive in the night I I tried to on the full light it will whae the motor down from moving fast