ANY AUTOMOTIVE AC EXPERTS OUT THERE? I'VE GOT PROBLEMS..........

Hi Folks

Spoiler Alert........This is a Toyota Camry:mob:

After coming home from holidays, I have found that the AC clutch on my Camry stays on all the time. I initially figured that it was the pressure switch, so I went ahead and ordered one. When I went to have the system evacuated so I could change the switch, I found that there was only 5 oz's of refrigerant and it's supposed to have 28. At any rate, I figured that since I already had the new switch, I would put it in. Now, even with no refrigerant (clutch relay removed) the electric fans come on and stay on with the ignition switch. When I sub in the old switch, the fans do not come on until the engine temp goes up (this is how it should be).

So I figure that the new switch is defective, as the fans should not be coming on with a cold engine, and no A/C.

My question is.......Will the low refrigerant level cause the compressor to basically cycle on until it fries, or is there a low pressure cut-off aspect of the switch to save the compressor in this type of a situation? I am trying to figure out if I have 2 defective switches, or if I should just put in the old switch, refill and test for leaks.

Thanks FABO