Air conditioning stopped working :(
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,665
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Air conditioning stopped working :(
I turned on my air conditioning today after I put the top up when it started to rain. Just hot air came out.
In fact, I didn't hear anything click on, or kick-in like normal.
My scan tool shows A/C pressure varying between 133 psi and 116 psi. it was also recharged in sept 2001, and blew very cold up until the last time I checked it in March 2002.
Any body have any ideas? I should mention that the climate control buttons blink every once in awhile (have always done that even we the AC worked fine), and they malfunction too (sometimes they act up, like you push a button and nothing happens.). To get rid of the malfunction I gave the side of the dash by the climate control unit a good swat.
Unfortunately, I can swat it as much as I like yet the AC does not work!
Any guidance would be appreciated! Thanks,
Dave
In fact, I didn't hear anything click on, or kick-in like normal.
My scan tool shows A/C pressure varying between 133 psi and 116 psi. it was also recharged in sept 2001, and blew very cold up until the last time I checked it in March 2002.
Any body have any ideas? I should mention that the climate control buttons blink every once in awhile (have always done that even we the AC worked fine), and they malfunction too (sometimes they act up, like you push a button and nothing happens.). To get rid of the malfunction I gave the side of the dash by the climate control unit a good swat.
Unfortunately, I can swat it as much as I like yet the AC does not work!
Any guidance would be appreciated! Thanks,
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: Air conditioning stopped working :( (dizwiz24)
Usually when it flashes like that, it means that there is a system problem. Usually it is a low freon switch that keeps the compressor from coming on in order to keep you from burning it. You can disconnect your battery ground cable for a few minutes and then reconnect it. Then start your car and turn on the A/C. If it comes on, then your basic components are working. Sometimes, you just need to reset it and it will work normally again. But if the freon is low, it will kick off and the light will once again flash after a few minutes. You can also bypass the low pressure switch on your A/C system just to see if the compressor is working. Hopefully, it is just low freon. To avoid any hassles, it may be wise to visit your A/C repairman instead. A/C compressors are very expensive to replace.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
Re: Air conditioning stopped working :( (dizwiz24)
Before you go through the expense of changing out all sorts of stuff and paying to have the problem checked, check these two things:
1. That the engine fan is turning on. Turn on the a/c to max and open the hood, the engine fan should be on. If it is not, that is your problem. The a/c won't run without the engine fan on. Check the fuse for the engine fan.
2. Check the a/c fuse, I had that problem with my mustang, I suppose it might be the same thing. If the fuse isn't blown, try unplugging and plugging back in all of the a/c stuff.i.e. switches,solenoid,sensors. Just be careful, you don't want to add to the problem.
1. That the engine fan is turning on. Turn on the a/c to max and open the hood, the engine fan should be on. If it is not, that is your problem. The a/c won't run without the engine fan on. Check the fuse for the engine fan.
2. Check the a/c fuse, I had that problem with my mustang, I suppose it might be the same thing. If the fuse isn't blown, try unplugging and plugging back in all of the a/c stuff.i.e. switches,solenoid,sensors. Just be careful, you don't want to add to the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Air conditioning stopped working :( (dizwiz24)
The blinking button lights in the Climate Control panel are indications of system problems and that A/C trouble codes have been set. Look her to get the procedure to retrieve the codes: http://www.idavette.net/tech/c4diag.htm
Chances are you will see the 09 code for low freon. Have the pressures checked (low pressure side should be the best indication of low freon) to be sure. The fact that you had cold air a couple months ago and a check in Sept. more than likely means a good-sized leak in the system. An A/C shop can evacuate and recharge the system and install a leak detector that will show a leak with either a sniffer or ultraviolet light. The system will hold about 2 1/4 lbs of R12.
The wire loom that attaches to the control head may not be getting good contact to the circuit board connector. You can remove the head and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser. This might explain nothing working from time to time and you may not have to use the dash for a punching bag anymore :smash: :D
Chances are you will see the 09 code for low freon. Have the pressures checked (low pressure side should be the best indication of low freon) to be sure. The fact that you had cold air a couple months ago and a check in Sept. more than likely means a good-sized leak in the system. An A/C shop can evacuate and recharge the system and install a leak detector that will show a leak with either a sniffer or ultraviolet light. The system will hold about 2 1/4 lbs of R12.
The wire loom that attaches to the control head may not be getting good contact to the circuit board connector. You can remove the head and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser. This might explain nothing working from time to time and you may not have to use the dash for a punching bag anymore :smash: :D
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,665
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Air conditioning stopped working :( (dizwiz24)
I have over 100 psi of air conditioning pressure, and I don't hear the compressor is kicking on. I doubt its low freon, because it never leaked before at all, and I'd hate to know what it did to the environment if it was leaking....but then again I'm driving a Corvette
I am thinking maybe its a fan fuse, or simple broken switch somewhere. The compressor does not come on.
I already checked the main fuse panel for 3 AC fuses. They were all good.
To tell you the truth, if something was wrong with the compressor, I'd just eliminate it, and get the extra power / weight advantage (even with AC off,your still spinning a pulley).
I am going to disconnect the battery. Wouldn't suprise me if that helped it out. The climate control is so squirrelly.
Thanks for the advice!
I am thinking maybe its a fan fuse, or simple broken switch somewhere. The compressor does not come on.
I already checked the main fuse panel for 3 AC fuses. They were all good.
To tell you the truth, if something was wrong with the compressor, I'd just eliminate it, and get the extra power / weight advantage (even with AC off,your still spinning a pulley).
I am going to disconnect the battery. Wouldn't suprise me if that helped it out. The climate control is so squirrelly.
Thanks for the advice!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,665
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Air conditioning stopped working :( (dizwiz24)
I got it to work again. I unhooked the battery, and hooked it back up after a few hours. Works great. ICE cold.
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the advice
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