ac compressor clutch not engaging

[rocketfast321]

It's worked fine this morning and now nothing. No weird sounds. The a/c light will come on. Fans will not kick on. Tested power at the compressor and was getting readings like 8v volts to 25v. It's hard for me to do real testing since everything is hidden. Like pressure switches. (Where are them anyways?)

I have a feeling it leaked out the high side port, i see some oil and the low side port is dry. I tested all fuses, swap relays and nothing. So any other things i can try before i throw the line set on

[Shiwnath]

If the pressure sensor detects too low of a pressure, the compressor won't be activated. I learned this while trying to fix my AC.

[rocketfast321]

I know that munch. I just ordered the 134a connections for my r22 line set. I hope it's just it's low. And i forgot about the service manuals on this site.

[zzyzzx]

If it's not coming on due to low pressure the A/C should have been not working so great for some time (as in a slow leak), or if you have a big leak look for an oil stain someplace along the A/C system. Probably the most common places for it to leak is at the little A/C "radiator" in front of the radiator, around the compressor, or at HP and LP ports (valves) where you connect your gauges to.

You need A/C in late November???

[03glgold]

If it's not coming on due to low pressure the A/C should have been not working so great for some time (as in a slow leak), or if you have a big leak look for an oil stain someplace along the A/C system. Probably the most common places for it to leak is at the little A/C "radiator" in front of the radiator, around the compressor, or at HP and LP ports (valves) where you connect your gauges to.

You need A/C in late November???

I agree with you on the needing A/C part, however did you read his first post where he said he thought that there may be a leak at the high port because there is oil there :awesome:

[rocketfast321]

]

You need A/C in late November???

Yep, defrost and as a dehumidifier. It still gets moggy down here. Now it's 60 with 88 Humidity. Only oil spot is on the high side port, not alot Compressor is dry on the clutch, belt and hosing. All connections are also dry.

I found out the the pressure switch is on the top pass. of the condenser coil. With luck its a dirty plug like on my ABS senor. But i still needed to get some 134a connections.

I agree with you on the needing A/C part, however did you read his first post where he said he thought that there may be a leak at the high port because there is oil there :awesome:

It's has been like that since i had it. But it has never did any weird cycling, worked great in the summer...Well as a black car do in 102f temps in the sun.

I'll throw my meter on to see if the pressure switch is in the close position also. Connections wont be in till friday.

[TheEdgeofSanity]

my high side port failed randomly on my car... may want to take it to a shot and have it dye tested

[AleroB888]

I had the cap blow off the port and put a dent in the hood. Thought somebody shot at me.

[rocketfast321]

my high side port failed randomly on my car... may want to take it to a shot and have it dye tested

How did it fail? Like b888 said?

I had the cap blow off the port and put a dent in the hood. Thought somebody shot at me.

Must have been a hot day. The high side can get pretty high.



But does the high side port has a schrader valve like the low side? From b888 post i think not. Because the cap was loose and looked to have a check ball in it. Also pressure switch is connector is clean. But it did have a little 134a oil on it.

[AleroB888]

How did it fail? Like b888 said?



Must have been a hot day. The high side can get pretty high.



But does the high side port has a schrader valve like the low side? From b888 post i think not. Because the cap was loose and looked to have a check ball in it. Also pressure switch is connector is clean. But it did have a little 134a oil on it.

I don't know, it was pretty weird for sure. After that the compressor and AC still worked. I had been having problems with the AC before that, like lights dimming when it kicked on. It still blew cold air for a year after that, but seemed like it was struggling, so I avoided using it. Then it sat outside at the trans shop for 10 months and thru last Summer, and the compressor would not kick on when I got it back. But it's cold out now, and dry enough where I have not needed the defrost. I will have trouble if the windshield ices, so it's the only car that is garaged now.

I'm in modding mode, but when it gets hot again I'll put the pressure gauges on it. :p

[sleepyalero]

all this ac talk, i think it would be easier to just delete the damn thing!

[AleroB888]

all this ac talk, i think it would be easier to just delete the damn thing!

You're not listening, you still need it for defrost, unless it's Summer only

[sleepyalero]

i thought heat would be used for defrost? i plan on deleteing mine, i dont use the darn thing.

[rocketfast321]

When it's on any defrost setting it will turn on unless its like 10f i think

[rocketfast321]

Got it fixed. My high side port doesn't have a schrader valve. ಠ_ಠ. And it looks like a bitch to changed it. After 2 cans of 134a from dollar general......yes dollar general sells the stuff, I know ?!? I just put a little in and the pressure switch clicked. Now it back blowing cold. I know i should vacuum out the system, but i sort of did a boot-leg clean out.

Now it looks like i just to replace the high side line just to have a new port. It looks welded on.

[guiguilandry]

You're not listening, you still need it for defrost, unless it's Summer only

And how do the cars that comes stock WITHOUT a/c works on defrost ???:p

[a.graham52]

And how do the cars that comes stock WITHOUT a/c works on defrost ???:p

a/c just makes it work better thats all.

[rocketfast321]

And how do the cars that comes stock WITHOUT a/c works on defrost ???:p

You can still get a car without a/c? :wtf2:

[AleroB888]

And how do the cars that comes stock WITHOUT a/c works on defrost ???:p

If the humdity gets high enough inside the car, about as well as they can cool you off in the Summer.

I had a 1988 Toyota truck that came with no AC, I can remember stopping at a rest stop and pouring water over my head on a trip to KY.

Whatever works! :p

[zzyzzx]

On my winter beater the A/C doesn't work and the defrost really works fine. I like it better without it since in an Escort running the A/C compressor is like pressing the "drop anchor" button.

[zzyzzx]

I know i should vacuum out the system.

You really don't have to vacuum it out unless you ran out of r134a completely, or nearly so. If it was just low and still has some pressure I don't think air and moisture was getting in.

On my beater, I don't bother vacuuming it out.

[rocketfast321]

It had nothing in the system. Since the high side didn't have a schrader valve and the cap got loose. I did go to school for commercial refrigeration so their are a few tricks you can do. A car a/c is a little forgiving, unlike a house or chiller system.

[rustyballs_69]

Now it looks like i just to replace the high side line just to have a new port. It looks welded on.

No need to replace the whole line. The high side port just screws off.

[rocketfast321]

Still working great! I know it's winter, but you can really tell it's a dryer cold temp.

[AleroB888]

Still working great! I know it's winter, but you can really tell it's a dryer cold temp.

It's weird, but my 2 Aleros which stay outside have fogged up and needed the defroster, but the '99 which is garaged but used far more, has never needed the defroster, only the heater.

[rocketfast321]

Clean your windows real good. A dirty window will fog up more. I smoke in my car and when it starts to fog up alot i know the windows are dirty. Clean just a little part in the corner of your window and ride at night. You will see it.

And no my car doesn't smell like it. I air it out all the time, and make sure to hit the HCAV system with deodorizer. Also riding with the windows down a little with bi-level on and fan set on hi works the best.

Also its still working great.


On my winter beater the A/C doesn't work and the defrost really works fine. I like it better without it since in an Escort running the A/C compressor is like pressing the "drop anchor" button.

Side note. my girl's 90 olds cutlass calais 2.5 doesn't mind the a/c, It seems to run better. But it is a 2.5 with 98hp, that thing is a red light wonder. It never forget we went on a trip in like 95% humanity. She got out the car and her glasses fogged up right away. My grand am or Alero has never been able to do that to her glasses, That r12 is a beast, and her a/c compressor is bigger than mine!

[zzyzzx]

You can still get a car without a/c? :wtf2:

Plenty of cars with broken AC says that the defrost comparison test can easily be performed.