Will A/C compressor clutch engage if freon is low?
 

Just recently I have noticed that my air conditioning is not working. When I try to turn it on, the orange a/c light turns on for 2-3 seconds, and then quickly goes out. If I have someone press it while I am looking under the hood, the a/c compressor clutch is not engaging. To my knowledge, my a/c system has never been recharged (2001 with 76k miles), so I think it is just my freon being low or empty. I have no diagnostic codes either.

Am I correct in assuming that the clutch won't engage if the freon is below a certain level? Or do I have an issue with the clutch?

The system has a low pressure switch so if your low it won't allow the clutch to engage to protect the system

It won't engage if the pressure is low, but I thought that the a/c light would blink before going off. That is what mine did.

How can I make it engage so that I can recharge the system and check where my leak is?

Jumper the switch.

Put enough refrigerant in for the clutch to engage, and you can take it from there.

UPDATE: Turns out my freon was completely EMPTY. Apparently there is a small leak somewhere in the system that they weren't able to detect, so we'll see how long this charge lasts.

thanks. any idea how?
it wont take refrigerant unless the clutch engages

did you take it to a shop or are you doing your own work?

It will take the GAS (can right side up, placed in a pale of hot water) and once it has enough system pressure to trip the low pressure cut out, the clutch will cycle on and off until there enough pressure to prevent the low pressure (suction side) from going low.

If the system was zero pressure, you should have had it vacuumed out to remove non condensables and moisture. In reality, you should change the orfice restrictor,and the receiver dryer, vacuum it out and then fill per the service manual procedure....

To properly charge the system you will need the procedure and chart in the service manual. Too much pressure is just as bad as no pressure.

Bill

Have not had to do it in a long while, but you pull the connector to the pressure switch and use a paper clip.

LOL

Its NOT as easy as it sounds cause the pressure sensor is NOT a common open closed SWITCH like days of old!!!.

Its a pressure transducer and here it is::::

Attachment 48147159

If you do it WRONG,, you will need more than R-134!!:lol::yesnod:

Just add gas until the pressure is high enough to run the compressor to check system pressures. Hey,, if you have a TECH2,, you can command the compressor to run!:thumbs: :D

You can however,, go to the relay and jumper it there and command the clutch to engege!

BC

Bill, you always were and always will be, THE MAN. So many thanks!