I'm a little confused. It seems like all you guys think the A/C in the xA and the xB is crap. I have test driving 4 different '05 xB's in 90-98 degree temps (I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico) and cranked the A/C and thought it worked great!
It cooled off an xB that had been sitting all day in 90+ temps in just a couple of minutes! Did they change something from '04 to '05, or are you guys expecting WAY too much out of these little cars. Just curious.

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the 04 had a service bulletin on the A/C

the 05 probably had been fixed

 

I haven't taken my box in for my 3000 miles oil change yet. But I was curious, has anyone taken there vehicle in recently and did the service department take care of your A/C issue? And what are the other 'issues' that Scion/Toyota will fix? Anyone got the 'fix report'???

 

My 2005 xA A/C works just fine.

 

The AC in my 04 xB could be better, but I never did except some super AC system in an economy car anyway. It could be better, but I can live with it.

 

I just noticed today that my A/C ain't really doing it for me.
intresting that you brought it up...

i'll have ot ask about that bulliten when I get my erl (thats oil in TX) swapped.

-TR

 

My Tahoe blows a lot colder than the xB does.
Maybe it's just because it's a smaller car with a smaller system.

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The A/C has a break in period, it will be much colder eventually

BTW- What is this A/C service? Maybe, I need to bring my xB for service.

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My Lava's AC has been blowing consistently cold since day one, and I've never really had a problem with it yet


DAN

 

Check this post about Service Bulletins. Very informative.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...letin+bulletin

 

my 2005 works fine. when you first start it up the air is kinda weak but when you get going it is fine.

 

Just to clear things up a bit. In the first 04 models the a'c system worked fine but the wire that was attached to the recycled a/c lever was not tight so when you turned your a/c lever to recycled it didnt compute in the back. Alot of people brought their 04 models in for the service dept to tighten this cable fixing the problem. Eventually they fixed this problem in Japan on the end of 04's and all 05 models. But yeah click on the link for the service bulletin to read more about it.

 

my '05 works great :D

 

My GF"s 05 xB works very good and she lives out in the 110 plus degree Palm Springs summer weather. It doesn't take long for the xB to cool down and the coolness seems very consistent.

 

Some Scion xA and xB owners may feel that the A/C system does not blow cold
enough air. This procedure provides a method to improve this condition.
2004 model year Scion xA and Scion xB vehicles produced BEFORE the
Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
MODEL PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
Scion xA JTKKT6#4*40057435
Scion xB JTLKT3#4*40142587

 

Hi, I was today out with the Scion 2004 Box. Outside was 78 Degrees Fahrenheit and full blasting sun. In 2020, is the first time when I feel needed to have A/C in the cabin. The RPM (revolution per minute) start rising up in parking mode. From like 700 to 850 RPM. I wait one minute and no A/C. The Engine was on blue color temperature. After 5 minute driving in the city, the feeling of cold start coming. Was recommended to drive a little with the windows open so the hot interior air will move faster. My interior cooking thermometer shows after 7 minute of driving, dropping the temperature from 78 slowly to 55 Degrees Fahrenheit. Please see the picture in attach. About 8 years ago I replace my A/C front radiator and rebuild the Compressor. Since then just I add some refrigerant (gas and liquid) R-134 a if is needed. Usually when A/C give out 65 Degrees Fahrenheit or higher. I was told if the temperature given out is under 45 degrees there is a chance to get interior ICE. This is not recommended. I was looking on the old post on this website. Many pictures are gone, and many websites addresses are no longer available ( displaying 502 Gateway Error)

So, in anyone experience with this car, what is the normal maintenance and (home) service for the A/C?

Thank you.

 

You may have a small leak in your system. The only normal home maintenance I can think of is keeping your AC coil clean. Bugs, dirt, grass and road debris can clog the cooling fins. Be careful not to bend the fins.

You mentioned changing your compressor. Refrigerant doubles as lubricant for the compressor shaft. Sometimes the seal wears out and refrigerant will leak faster than normal. There's a guy on youtube named "Scotty" who says it's best to use a new compressor instead of a rebuilt one because plastic parts do not rebuild well.

Some refrigerant includes sealant. You could try that before looking for the leak. If the sealant doesn't work as expected, an AC shop can find the leak with refrigerant dye and an ultra-violet light.

 

Hi, @62Fender, I was looking inside the dashboard to see the AC aluminum little radiator condition. After like 16 years is looks like new. The front AC aluminum radiator looks old, and clean. The front bumper cover all his area. Then on the driver side on the radiator the Hi and Low horns are installed. Why the horn need to touch the radiator? I am not the first owner of this car. Can you please let me know if all Scion xB 2004 have the horn in that place? And if not, at what location is suppose to be installed? Thank you.

 

I checked out a 2006 model. The horns are mounted to the radiator, drivers side. The metal radiator (may) provide a ground point for the horns.

 

Hi, I drove today 3 June 2020, to a local "The Home Depot" store. I was looking to find car maintenance items. The cashier lady told me that she can not sell me things from the store because I not have a facial mask (like all the obedient slaves). Today my AC was not performing. Outside temperature was 75 Fahrenheit and 88% humidity. I check the AC pressure on the low side of the AC pipe. I got 39 Psi. The internet mentioned that only is needed to be 15 Psi. I start lowered to 25 Psi. I get inside 72 Fahrenheit at 750 RPM, then 70 Fahrenheit at 2,500 RPM. Looks like Scion xB 2004 have no magnetic clutch on the compressor. Here the problem can be that the compressor is over reacting (the pistons/valves are abused)? Please let me know how can I check for a blockage in the Condenser, or in the Evaporator, or in the Dryer? Thank you.


Front passenger side AC condenser after cleaning.

Front AC condenser/radiator bottom side after cleaning with engine degreaser. Left 10 minute to self emulsify, then use the garden water hose to rinse.

The top aluminum pipe have the "L" symbol for low pressured AC Line. To add or remove 134a.

This can be the High point pressure for AC. Some suggest that if we get 300 Psi in AC High pipe, then on Low AC pipe need to get 20 X lower like 15 Psi. Please let me know if is true for this model? Thank you.

Here in the middle of the picture is a solenoid that may move at 12 Volts. I am not sure? This is working with the compressor clutch? This model not have a magnetic clutch that I know.

AC aluminum Low line. For old models can be added gel 134a for temporary AC fixing problems. Some ad liquid 134a with a solution to fix small leacks.