Can you use techstream to test the AC compressor?

On Gen 3 you can read the refrigerant pressure and tell the compressor to run at different speeds and read its rpm.

Not sure how much of that applies to Gen 2.

 

You could be putting your compressor at risk. Look for some recent posts from our A/C technician expert @lech auto air conditionin, who explains it.

Sounds familiar, pretty sure some, if not all, of that, can be interrogated. But again, Lech says there is a limited amount of useful info to be gained from Techstream that is helpful in diagnosis.

 

Techstream can be helpful if you don't have a lot of experience with air conditioning but not necessary it all can be done manually.
Are you sure you have refrigerant in the system you actually had a set of gauges on it and let's say you have a minimum of 50 psi in your system to engage all safety switches?

Actually I was thinking of making a video using techstream with no refrigerant gauges and just using a single hose with no gauge and a tank of refrigerant and a scale to charge a Prius.

If you do actually have refrigerant in the system possibly have somebody else start the car with the air conditioning in the on position full Max position high blower speed with you under the hood if your ears are good listen very very carefully to the compressor there is also a method of using a very long rod for example a 3 foot extension 3/8 from your tool set and you put your ear up to it to listen to a metal component like the case of a compressor. But trying to tell someone without experience and not familiar with the sounds and the vibrations that all the different components make this can be difficult or confusing or misunderstood by Evy individuals own interpretation of instructions.
As for looking for leaks you don't have a electronic leak detector most likely so the only thing you could use to your best of your ability would be soapy bubbles if you wanted to take it one step further and use a better product.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjLs-3iiOLoAhUfH60GHXzqAS0YABAFGgJwdg&ae=1&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQOD2QH7obDeBvTiRh-0b_rx5IJCEa3oul_WiGq5o9v8IP9V7nNhXISQiyEi-zFhQvd4XXS8xrySA-IQUj0Df8FM&sig=AOD64_1dlAWCgITASxASkbSUiTJrzFrDjQ&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjI4-LiiOLoAhXMJzQIHUJsD9UQwg96BAgJEAs&adurl=https://www.supplyhouse.com/Refrigeration-Technologies-RT100S-Big-Blu-Micro-Leak-Detector-1-Qt%3Fgclid%3DCjwKCAjw1cX0BRBmEiwAy9tKHs1_0aIwuDO77xpAChXZJ5gUv7crvdlB7jSU2Pfw1ZdwXACAvWYlaRoCTvMQAvD_BwE

Here is a link to a good product unfortunately. you can only find leaks where your eyes can actually see so have a mirror that you could get behind hoses and fittings and use a flashlight to try to see behind objects that you cannot see straight forward,

But I advise that you read and educate yourself before taking on any of these procedures and trying to diagnose yourself so you don't make any mistakes and cause more damage. It's very easy to cause more damage.

 

Yes the compressor should have came on with refrigerant. Look for leaks. But it sound like you have a problem with the compressor coming on.