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old car A/C help
Weaver
Breakfast WitchHashus BrowniusRegistered User regular
Breakfast WitchHashus BrowniusRegistered User regular
I have a 1990 Mercury Sable. The A/C has never worked on this car in the last eight years. I decided to fix this problem. I properly purged the ancient r12 coolant, sealed any possible leaks in the system, installed the r134a conversion kit and filled the coolant system to proper pressure.
The cooling system maintains pressure, but does not produce cool air. I found that the compressor does engage when activated, only that it spins up for approximately 2 seconds, then stops for about 4 seconds, then spins up again.
I'm taking this to indicate that the compressor is not functioning properly. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to repair the compressor or do I need to install a refurbished compressor? I'd rather like to be able to just repair the one that already mounted in the vehicle.
The cooling system maintains pressure, but does not produce cool air. I found that the compressor does engage when activated, only that it spins up for approximately 2 seconds, then stops for about 4 seconds, then spins up again.
I'm taking this to indicate that the compressor is not functioning properly. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to repair the compressor or do I need to install a refurbished compressor? I'd rather like to be able to just repair the one that already mounted in the vehicle.
Weaver on
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Because if that's the case, then it might be a bad compresor clutch, which is replaceable. Whether or not you need to remove the compressor from the car to do it depends on the car.
Good luck man, A/C is a bitch.
Where would I find the compressor clutch? Is that something like a solenoid? I've replaced those on automatic transmissions before but yeah this is my first venture into A/C work.
It's a magnetic clutch, so when you hit the button, it puts power to it, magnet magnetizes and CLICK!, it slaps the pulley down, engages a couple gears and the compressor turns. So it's nothing like anything you'd find on an automatic transmission (thank god). Much more simple.
So now we know that your compressor clutch is having trouble staying engaged. This could be for many reasons, one of which is a bad clutch. Also check the connections around it and whatnot. I've done the job before, but I'm not an expert in it by any means. You should go grab the cheap car manual of your choice for your vehicle (Haynes, Chilton, etc.) and also google around to see if there's any advice on diagnosing the acutal problem for that make and model.
If it is the clutch, and you replace it yourself, read these next words carefully. There is a snap ring on there that's holding the pulley down. Don't be like my friend, and miss it because it's covered in grime, and try and rip the 'stuck' pulley off with a pulley puller. Heh.