1980 ac
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1980 ac
Compressor not engaging on 1980 C3 approx 80K miles. Warm air blowing. Fan OK.
If I short the switch on the refrigerant line near the radiator overflow container, the compressor will cycle on.
My question is, normally, will the compressor cycle on if the freon is low? Or, could I have a short somewhere preventing the compressor from running (assuming the r-12 is OK)?
As a side note, when the AC is first turned on, it blows out by my feet. After a few minutes of driving, it comes out the normal vents. I'm assuming the vacuum switch that takes care of this is either sitcky or short vacuum. It does eventually blow out of the correct vents, but with the compressor not cycling the air is warm.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Original system with r-12. Was OK last summer.
If I short the switch on the refrigerant line near the radiator overflow container, the compressor will cycle on.
My question is, normally, will the compressor cycle on if the freon is low? Or, could I have a short somewhere preventing the compressor from running (assuming the r-12 is OK)?
As a side note, when the AC is first turned on, it blows out by my feet. After a few minutes of driving, it comes out the normal vents. I'm assuming the vacuum switch that takes care of this is either sitcky or short vacuum. It does eventually blow out of the correct vents, but with the compressor not cycling the air is warm.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Original system with r-12. Was OK last summer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
More than one issue going on there. 1st, the pressure switch you jumped is the Low Pressure switch, it cuts off when the system leaks down far enough to be a problem, so the R12 is not ok.
The second issue is vacuum related, the vac switch in the console or the actuators or 3 or 4 other places could be leaking. Vac controls the actuators in the dash that control the duct flappers.
The second issue is vacuum related, the vac switch in the console or the actuators or 3 or 4 other places could be leaking. Vac controls the actuators in the dash that control the duct flappers.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for the speedy reply.
I was not sure what the low pressure switch actually did. I read on the forums that you could temp short it to test the compressor.
Is there any interface between the vacuum system and the compressor not engaging? It sounds like you are saying, NO. If the low pressure switch is open, the R-12 is low. Correct? Low pressure switch is definitely open.
I figured I had a leak or sticky switch on actuating the blower doors. As you know there are many vacuum lines and they are getting old.
One more question I am afraid to ask. Will anyone still service an R-12 ac compressor? There must be some of the stuff still around. The last time the ac was serviced was probably 10 years ago and it has been fine up until this summer.
Thanks again for the reply.
-Darin
I was not sure what the low pressure switch actually did. I read on the forums that you could temp short it to test the compressor.
Is there any interface between the vacuum system and the compressor not engaging? It sounds like you are saying, NO. If the low pressure switch is open, the R-12 is low. Correct? Low pressure switch is definitely open.
I figured I had a leak or sticky switch on actuating the blower doors. As you know there are many vacuum lines and they are getting old.
One more question I am afraid to ask. Will anyone still service an R-12 ac compressor? There must be some of the stuff still around. The last time the ac was serviced was probably 10 years ago and it has been fine up until this summer.
Thanks again for the reply.
-Darin
