A/c Re-gas Or Compressor?

[methoplod]

Hi guys,

LS 400-In the hotest week of a week ago the A/C button started blinking after starting up and letting the cabin get cool before setting off. After a few miles ( around 8-10) the A/C button light started blinking, I shut it off and statered again a few miles down the road, after another few miles it started again - I thought it simply needed regassing but when I read the manual it says that if the A/C light starts blinking it's the compressor and take it to Lexus, there was a slight smell of what I think is gas.

The only other things I noticed is that it is a bit noisy on the outside when the A/C is full on, as if a spindle is worn and making a sound, the other thing I noticed earlier this week is that although it starts to blow cool it soon enough seems to stop producing cold air - I have used it in on off bursts but I don't want to regas if it's the compressor, so I suppose my question is, does the A/C button only flash on off it needs a new compresor or if it's only a compressor prob, or does it flash on off if it needs regassing? many thanks for any help on this

[Mike_B]

Have a look at this post, it might give you some clues? Don't know if it will work for your car, but it won't do any harm to try it...