foggysail

This thread is similar to Yoonsoo's but I did not want to hijack his post.

Here is what I have found. First--- the airconditioner does not work. I could not hear the clutch solenoid activate nor could I see any engagement when swaping in and out of air. OK, wiring was discussed in the other thread. So I removed teh relay and with the engine operating I jumpered 12 vdc to pin 5 in the relay that activates the compressor clutch. Sure enough, I can hear the clutch engaging or at least making noises that lead me to believe it was engaged.

That simple test checked everything from the relay to the connector on the compressor along with the clutch activation circuit in the compressor.

All the fuses in the fuse box located in the engine compartment next to the battery are fine.

I guessed the relay was not functioning so I jumpered a thin wire between pin 5 in the relay socket and reinstalled the relay. This allowed me to see if the relay was actuating sending voltage to the clutch. No voltage on pin 5 which makes contact with arm in the relay when it gets activated.

OK, I might have done unnecessary testing here!!! I just looked at the block diagram from the service manual and I noticed there is an A/C pressure cut-off switch feeding commands to the PCM. COULD IT BE THAT I AM JUST LOW ON FREON???

Thanks for all replies!!!

Foggy

tbird100636

That would be the direction to go in next.

foggysail

Thanks TBird!

General question ....... if I took the car to a garage that services A/C's, what can I expect as a fair price to pay for recharging the system?? OH, of course this would also include vacuuming prior to reloading with 134a.


Thanks--

Foggy

jwko

and fix the leak?

SHOZ123

I had my freon exchanged for $50.

foggysail

Thanks Shoz--

I was trying to get some idea what to expect. Prices ranged in my mind upwards to $150.

JWKO-- Yeah, if the things needs freon, the old stuff leaked out. I saw my brother change a compressor because of a leaking seal. There is no way of guessing the cost to repair a leak without knowing the conditions. My hope is the leak is small even hope that if needed a can of fix it or what ever the stuff is called will solve a leaking problem

Foggy

foggysail

UPDATE:

I was given 1/2 filled can of freon which I dumped into the low pressure port. That small amount of refrigerant was enough to get the compressor to cycle but not enough to get the system working.

Yesterday I purchased a can of oil which I was able to get into the system via the low pressure connection along with a can of freon, both purchased at Wally World. After dumping the 12 oz refrigerant into the system, it began to function with good cooling.

This was a crude approach to my problem and I know that. I also doubt there is enough refrigerant in the system to function properly because it holds 2pounds, 2 ounces but I am going to let it run for a while. Anxious to see if it leaks which I expect it to do UNLESS the oil does something to prevent the leaking.

More later--

Foggy