A/c
05-30-2004, 03:24 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pacific Junction, IA
Posts: 44
Hey Everyone,
I am the proud owner of an '86 base, and when the time came around to start using the A/C again this year, I pushed the button, and nothing happened... I have looked up the symptoms in my chilton's manual and found nothing pertaining to the problem. As far as I know, the system is still fully charged (fresh charge two years ago), but the compressor does not kick on when the a/c is turned on...
Any Help would be appreciated,
Eric
I am the proud owner of an '86 base, and when the time came around to start using the A/C again this year, I pushed the button, and nothing happened... I have looked up the symptoms in my chilton's manual and found nothing pertaining to the problem. As far as I know, the system is still fully charged (fresh charge two years ago), but the compressor does not kick on when the a/c is turned on...
Any Help would be appreciated,
Eric
05-31-2004, 01:39 PM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pacific Junction, IA
Posts: 44
It appears that the refrigerant in the lines is of an adequate charge because I saw no bubbles in the sight glass. I tried getting a reading on the wire leading to the compressor clutch, but I was unable to obtain a reading. Is it possible that a fuse in the system has blown, if there even is a fuse, or is the lack of voltage at the clutch due to degraded wiring or something else along those lines?
Thanks,
Eric
Thanks,
Eric
05-31-2004, 08:46 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 172
The AC clutch switch will not show 12V+ if the system is low on refrigerant. This is how I would approach it. I would jumper 12V+ to cause the clutch to engage, then look at the sight glass for bubbles. The sight glass is only of use if the compressor will run. This is only a temporary way of checking to see if the system has enough refrigerant. The compressor will burn out if run on low refrigerant. If I saw bubbles, I would know that I need refrigerant and the jumper should be disconnected. If I didn't see bubbles with the compressor running, then there is probably a wiring problem.
06-01-2004, 09:46 AM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 623
Originally Posted by marcus7' date='May 31 2004, 05:46 PM
The AC clutch switch will not show 12V+ if the system is low on refrigerant. This is how I would approach it. I would jumper 12V+ to cause the clutch to engage, then look at the sight glass for bubbles. The sight glass is only of use if the compressor will run. This is only a temporary way of checking to see if the system has enough refrigerant. The compressor will burn out if run on low refrigerant. If I saw bubbles, I would know that I need refrigerant and the jumper should be disconnected. If I didn't see bubbles with the compressor running, then there is probably a wiring problem.
I need your brain LOL
06-01-2004, 01:45 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 172
In my case, I have followed an exacting recipe for excellence in car repair:
1) Remove and disassemble expensive part.
2) Reassemble incorrectly and reinstall (the reinstall may possibly be incorrect as well).
3) Start car and watch expensive part rendered to scrap heap status. If the part is electric and/or very expensive, it will more than likely burn up the surrounding expensive parts.
4) Scratch head and wonder why I didn’t bother to read something on the subject before embarking on my ill-conceived attempt at repairing something I knew nothing about.
After going through enough individual parts to assemble four or five cars, even I have managed learned a thing or two.
1) Remove and disassemble expensive part.
2) Reassemble incorrectly and reinstall (the reinstall may possibly be incorrect as well).
3) Start car and watch expensive part rendered to scrap heap status. If the part is electric and/or very expensive, it will more than likely burn up the surrounding expensive parts.
4) Scratch head and wonder why I didn’t bother to read something on the subject before embarking on my ill-conceived attempt at repairing something I knew nothing about.
After going through enough individual parts to assemble four or five cars, even I have managed learned a thing or two.