Air Cond problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Air Cond problems
My air conditioner cycles on and off about every 10 seconds when I first start the car. After driving about 10 minutes it stays on. When I shut the car off (72 coupe-350 4-speed) and go back to it later the FAN won't come on for a while but the compressor runs-cycling on and off as usual. Controls are set to either Max or Normal and Temp. all the way to cool with the fan switch either high or any other setting.
This air conditioner is damn important down here in South Florida where it's 95 and humid EVERY DAY in the summer not just during hot spells.
This air conditioner is damn important down here in South Florida where it's 95 and humid EVERY DAY in the summer not just during hot spells.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Thinpockets
My air conditioner cycles on and off about every 10 seconds when I first start the car. After driving about 10 minutes it stays on. When I shut the car off (72 coupe-350 4-speed) and go back to it later the FAN won't come on for a while but the compressor runs-cycling on and off as usual. Controls are set to either Max or Normal and Temp. all the way to cool with the fan switch either high or any other setting.
This air conditioner is damn important down here in South Florida where it's 95 and humid EVERY DAY in the summer not just during hot spells.
This air conditioner is damn important down here in South Florida where it's 95 and humid EVERY DAY in the summer not just during hot spells.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
It'll cycle on and off like you describe if it is low on refrigerant. You can pick up a recharge kit (hose and refrigerant) cheap at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store. Give it a shot and see if that takes care of it. God bless, Sensei
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
dwncchs
The system has bee upgraded to 134. I've never heard of a cycling clutch or a POA. I have limited air conditioning experience due to the fact that I have lived in the north most of my life (Minnesota). I've almost always had air but it's hard to wear it out up there.
a1sensei
I hope it is as easy as that but I does blow pretty cold.
The part that's really puzzling is that sometimes the fan won't even blow.
The system has bee upgraded to 134. I've never heard of a cycling clutch or a POA. I have limited air conditioning experience due to the fact that I have lived in the north most of my life (Minnesota). I've almost always had air but it's hard to wear it out up there.
a1sensei
I hope it is as easy as that but I does blow pretty cold.
The part that's really puzzling is that sometimes the fan won't even blow.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Thinpockets
dwncchs
The system has bee upgraded to 134. I've never heard of a cycling clutch or a POA. I have limited air conditioning experience due to the fact that I have lived in the north most of my life (Minnesota). I've almost always had air but it's hard to wear it out up there.
a1sensei
I hope it is as easy as that but I does blow pretty cold.
The part that's really puzzling is that sometimes the fan won't even blow.
The system has bee upgraded to 134. I've never heard of a cycling clutch or a POA. I have limited air conditioning experience due to the fact that I have lived in the north most of my life (Minnesota). I've almost always had air but it's hard to wear it out up there.
a1sensei
I hope it is as easy as that but I does blow pretty cold.
The part that's really puzzling is that sometimes the fan won't even blow.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Mine does not have the part in the Eckler's catalog. It has two valves similar to that part but not the same. One is on the line coming from (or going to) the evaporator and has wires attached to it and the other is on the line going to the condenser which doesn't have any wires on the terminals. Neither of these has 2 bleeders.
Knowing what you now know of my air cond. abilities would it be a good idea for me to see a professional in my area ("a man's got to know his limitations")?
Knowing what you now know of my air cond. abilities would it be a good idea for me to see a professional in my area ("a man's got to know his limitations")?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Incidentally, I haven't had the car very long, only about 4 months. I've been around cars all my life but some things are still foreign to me. I'm about to take the dash out for the second time (the first time was just to see what was in there) now that I have some new parts - new radio, speedometer, headlight switch, gauge bezel and new bulbs and lenses - and I am looking forward to it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by terry82
any good books out there on a-c repair ?
http://www.autoacforum.com/index.cfm...=Yes&forumid=1
Also, Bernie has a good book
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by terry82
any good books out there on a-c repair ?
You put down the price of the tool..in this case ... the DVD (I think it was about 7 dollars) and when you return it you get a FULL refund.... I have borrowed a few tools from AutoZone and actually wound up buying the vacuum pump that I borrowed............Except they give you a brand new one rather than the one that has been loaned out 100 times.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Thinpockets
Mine does not have the part in the Eckler's catalog. It has two valves similar to that part but not the same. One is on the line coming from (or going to) the evaporator and has wires attached to it and the other is on the line going to the condenser which doesn't have any wires on the terminals. Neither of these has 2 bleeders.
Knowing what you now know of my air cond. abilities would it be a good idea for me to see a professional in my area ("a man's got to know his limitations")?
Knowing what you now know of my air cond. abilities would it be a good idea for me to see a professional in my area ("a man's got to know his limitations")?
Roger
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Roger - There is an a/c shop on Del Prado that my wife's company uses for it's trucks. They seem pretty reasonable so I think I'll try them this week. Thanks for the offer - I really appreciate the interest and advise from you and the people on the forum.
There are so many fun things to do to the car I won't feel bad about sending some out.
Thanks, Irv
There are so many fun things to do to the car I won't feel bad about sending some out.
Thanks, Irv
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Thinpockets
Roger - There is an a/c shop on Del Prado that my wife's company uses for it's trucks. They seem pretty reasonable so I think I'll try them this week. Thanks for the offer - I really appreciate the interest and advise from you and the people on the forum.
There are so many fun things to do to the car I won't feel bad about sending some out.
Thanks, Irv
There are so many fun things to do to the car I won't feel bad about sending some out.
Thanks, Irv
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
If you have AutoZone in your area they have a loaner tool program which inclides an Air Conditioning DVD
You put down the price of the tool..in this case ... the DVD (I think it was about 7 dollars) and when you return it you get a FULL refund.... I have borrowed a few tools from AutoZone and actually wound up buying the vacuum pump that I borrowed............Except they give you a brand new one rather than the one that has been loaned out 100 times.
You put down the price of the tool..in this case ... the DVD (I think it was about 7 dollars) and when you return it you get a FULL refund.... I have borrowed a few tools from AutoZone and actually wound up buying the vacuum pump that I borrowed............Except they give you a brand new one rather than the one that has been loaned out 100 times.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Not sure if AutoZone has a vac pump to loan, but a lot of tool rental places have them. Or you can go the really cheap route, a guy on eBay sells plans to put one together using a small refrigerator coolant pump... (and before anyone says it's impossible, in the 1960s my grandfather built an air compressor using the compressor pump from a '30s or '40s era refrigerator. That sucker was heavy, but it pumped air quite well for 30+ years. We finally threw it out when all the steel lines and the tank started getting rusty and leaky. Gotta love old refrigerators - my buffing wheel setup consists of an ANCIENT Delco refrigerator motor with an adapter arbor for the wheels on the end of the shaft.)
Last edited by I'm Batman; Aug 6, 2006 at 12:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Turns out . . . .
Turns out that the problem was a vacuum leak was causing some confusion in the ducts vacuum valves. Long story made short - lack of air flow caused the unit to get too cool and cycle the clutch on and off. Ducts are open now and everything is OK.
The a/c guy said C3's have notoriously bad duct work and combined with other problems make the system become hard to live with (not unlike Mrs. Olson - other problems not duct work)
I mentioned to a/c guy my plans to remove the entire dash this fall and he suggested that the blower motor and squirrel cage blower are big enough for the car because it is very similar to those used in much higher cubic volume vehicles but the ducts need to be larger and more efficient. I will explore the situation in Oct/Nov or so and see if there is something I can see that a whole building or two of GM engineers missed. Wish me luck!
Thanks for all assistance,
Irv
The a/c guy said C3's have notoriously bad duct work and combined with other problems make the system become hard to live with (not unlike Mrs. Olson - other problems not duct work)
I mentioned to a/c guy my plans to remove the entire dash this fall and he suggested that the blower motor and squirrel cage blower are big enough for the car because it is very similar to those used in much higher cubic volume vehicles but the ducts need to be larger and more efficient. I will explore the situation in Oct/Nov or so and see if there is something I can see that a whole building or two of GM engineers missed. Wish me luck!
Thanks for all assistance,
Irv
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by terry82
..a vac pump is what i want but if i can borrow one that sounds good too .thanks
I will tell you that you can use intake manifold vacuum to get it down to about 20" then you can pump the last 9 or 10" with a hand pump which wont take long if you dont have any leaks
ps: I am positive my 73' has no "Low pressure shutoff"
It shuts itself off below 31degrees,,Dont ask me where it gets the reading from, but thats the way it came frm the factory
Last edited by Bob Onit; Aug 7, 2006 at 06:00 PM.
