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A/c Condensor Overheating !!!!!

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Old Jun 23, 2006 | 05:45 PM
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Default A/c Condensor Overheating !!!!!

HELP HELP HELP !!!!!!!!!!!
I have a ' 76 that I dropped a '94 lt-1 into . My problem is the condensor " overheats ", and cuts off the a/c . I have 2 electric fans that DO NOT go through the computer, but rather , are connected to 2 relays .
One idea I had was to connect one fan through a relay that would be connected to the a/c harness. When the a/c is used, that fan would come on . As the engine heats, the second fan would come on and cool the radiator along with the first . When the a/c is off, both fans would work as normal to cool the radiator .
I hope someone has a better idea than this one . It's the only thing I could think of . .
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by WRAITH666
HELP HELP HELP !!!!!!!!!!!
I have a ' 76 that I dropped a '94 lt-1 into . My problem is the condensor " overheats ", and cuts off the a/c . I have 2 electric fans that DO NOT go through the computer, but rather , are connected to 2 relays .
One idea I had was to connect one fan through a relay that would be connected to the a/c harness. When the a/c is used, that fan would come on . As the engine heats, the second fan would come on and cool the radiator along with the first . When the a/c is off, both fans would work as normal to cool the radiator .
I hope someone has a better idea than this one . It's the only thing I could think of . .
Don't be afraid to have both fans come on with the a/c circuit. If it's hot enough to use a/c, then it certainly won't hurt your engine coolant temp. Almost all modern cars are setup this way.
The more you cool your condenser the better your a/c will work.
Always use guages to diagnose a/c problems. You may just be building too much pressure.
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 02:33 PM
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Ok then , if you think it's a pressure problem, what would . or should, the proper pressure be ? These are 2 different year a/c parts from different years .
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 02:44 PM
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Search the C3 Tech forum, there have been several recent discussions on A/C modifcations.
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 05:48 PM
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on a 80 degree day the low side should be about 30psi and the high slde about 250-275 if the low side is lower it might need freon, if the high side is much higher you might have a blockage ( junk in the orifice)these numbers are for R12 freon
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 06:14 PM
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The compressor is a ' 94, so, it's using the R-134 .Someone who did this conversion told me to run the system at 20% less than the stock R 12 capacity . Sound right to you ?
I know DeWitts has special relays to work the fans with a/c, but, to rewire everything is a bloody nightmare. But, if that's what it takes, so be it.
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Old Jun 24, 2006 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by WRAITH666
Ok then , if you think it's a pressure problem, what would . or should, the proper pressure be ? These are 2 different year a/c parts from different years .
It Could be a pressure problem.
The pressures are all relative to the ambient temperature. Here in 95* weather, I run 35psi low side and 235 psi high side and get 38* vent temp.
Both the evaporator and the condsenser have good air flow and clean inside.
If you have internal blockages and/or poor air flow you will get excessive psi and the high limit will kick off the compressor. It may be as simple as a blend door stuck. I have never heard of a "condenser overheating" but I am assuming this is what you mean.
I am taking this from memory so my figures may be a little off. Without a auxillary condenser fan the high side was 260psi, then turning on a 2400cfm spal pusher fan the high side dropped to 220psi.
Basically, without getting technical, that is a very good result and aids in better cooling and longer compressor life.
When you wire the fan for the a/c don't tag the compressor clutch feed or the fan will cycle with the compressor. Tag the a/c on from the dash control itself.
Unless you have an obvious problem such as a broken wire etc., you must take your temp and pressure readings and diagnose from there, otherwise you're just shooting blanks.
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Old Jun 25, 2006 | 04:50 PM
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I contacted DeWitts and got the following as a fix to the problem . They said to get another relay, and connect it to my existing fan relays . Connect one wire from the new relay to the sending unit of the fans, and then connect another wire to the + 12 volt wire of the a/c clutch ( the colors are listed in the instructions ) . The fans will kick on when the a/c is used. Sounds a bit complicated , but it really isn't. Just a pain to rewire everything !! Again

Last edited by WRAITH666; Jun 25, 2006 at 04:52 PM.
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Old Jun 25, 2006 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by noonie
When you wire the fan for the a/c don't tag the compressor clutch feed or the fan will cycle with the compressor. Tag the a/c on from the dash control itself.
You really don't want your cooling fan(s) kicking in and out with the compressor clutch cycling. It's hard on the fans, relays, fan motors, alternator and a/c system pressures. When you turn on the a/c, you want the fan to stay on until you turn off the a/c.
And besides, it is also just annoying.

Just use bosch type relays. They are industry standard.
They all wire the same.
http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?...duct_id=26-534
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