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A/C Compressor wire contacts

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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 12:07 PM
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Default A/C Compressor wire contacts

Well, finally traced the short in my A/C system down to the metal contact that comes off the compressor. There's two of them, one black (ground from the mounting bracket), one green (turns on clutch).
The contact appears loose and (i think) its touching the housing of the compressor... grounding it out.... blowing the fuse.
Could somebody please please please show me a picture of what those two contacts are supposed to look like? Just take your wiring harness off the compressor and take a close snapshot of the two contacts coming out of the compressor (between the fan belt pulley and the compressor housing - on top).
It just doesn't seem right that they made placed that contact so close to the metal housing. It really not moving around THAT much. I tried wrapping a small piece of electrical tape under the contact. That worked while the engine wasn't running, but once I turned it on and the vibrations kicked in, *poof*.

Please help a brother in the New Orleans heat out! :)
Thanks.


[Modified by Marc78, 10:09 AM 6/21/2002]
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 12:17 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

Cant take a picture but I can tell you that my 81 is the same way.
It is very close to the compressor housing. But the wires are contained in a plastic connector...
and when it is plugged in, it is very snug....and no metal touching the compressor housing.......

are you missing the plastic wire connector?

hope this helps.......

Kevin


[Modified by ksems, 10:18 AM 6/21/2002]
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 12:21 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

The plastic harness is fine... and the contacts inside of it are fine.
Its those damn metal tabs coming off of the compressor. The tab thats supposed to carry the 12V seems to snugly fit against the compressor housing. Bending it won't help. I was wondering if there was supposed to be some sort of insulation around it that may have rotted off on mine.
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 12:26 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

Oh I see -

Ill go out in the parking garage at lunch and take a peak if no-one has answered by then.

good luck

Kevin
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 12:30 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

Wow... thanks!
Look at both tabs if you could... I'm curious to know if there's any insulation or if they're both touching the housing.
The harness should pull right off and go right back on.
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 02:31 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

I had this happen on my 7T9.....Insulate the wires from each other....Mine was touching together....crazy GM put a hot wire along side a ground lead with very little insulation between the two.....Good Luck :seeya Cappy
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 02:59 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (8T1-7T9 BIONIC VETTE)

The wires aren't touching each other. Neither are the metal tab contacts.... the tabs are touching the metal compressor housing.
Just need to know how the hot (12V) tab is insulated from the metal housing.
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 03:58 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

there is supposed to be a diode between the 2 wires in the connector...

do you have that diode in there....?

its on the wiring harness, NOT on the compressor....its very small




[Modified by ksems, 1:58 PM 6/21/2002]
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 04:03 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

by the way,

my original plastic connector was toast...and I found a new one ( with DIODE )
in the electrical section at Pep Boys......
I bought mine about a month ago

Kevin
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 04:04 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

No, no diode. Don't think there's supposed to be one in the '78 as per the wiring schematics: http://corvetteforum.net/c3/tunedpor.../index16.shtml

What did the contact tabs look like? Were they clearly not touching the metal housing?
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

Marc,

sorry about that - I remembered the diode things and figured the 78 was the same and had the diode.

I couldnt get out there to look close enough at the tabs...sorry.
I will though - Im not ignoring your original question :D

The compressor I have on there is a new ( non Delco ) unit. ( forgot about that )
My original is on the shelf in my garage at home.
I will check when I get home and put a spot light on the whole thing and
give you a detailed report.

Deal?

Kevin
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 04:24 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

Oh, that's cool. Just thought you went out there.

I appreciate the help.
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 07:17 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

allrighty -

Original Compressor has what looks like a 1 inch wide by 1/4 inch thick
peice of white plastic that the pins are resting on, so that they arent directly on top of the metal housing.....mine was very brittle...I didnt even see it there until I started cleaning the area and the plastic started falling apart.....I bet you are missing this plastic peice and your pins are laying on the housing

new compressor ( Non AC Delco ) has the pins coming straight off the housing and held in place by some white hard putty.

does this help?

Kevin
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 07:35 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

allright -

click here for a pic http://www.l81vetteregistry.com/pins.html


:D


[Modified by ksems, 5:42 PM 6/21/2002]
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Old Jun 21, 2002 | 08:38 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (ksems)

Awesome! That answers it! :) :) :)
Thanks!

Now, to figure out a way to insulate those pins!
:smash:
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Old Jun 22, 2002 | 01:05 PM
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Default Re: A/C Compressor wire contacts (Marc78)

your welcome -

I bet you can find some electrical putty stuff at a Home Depot type place.

good luck


Kevin
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