Okay well last year it worked great. I even evaced it, reoiled and recharged, it to make sure it was running at tip top shape. Took it out form its hibernation and the first hot day I try to turn on the ac. I press the button the ac light lights up for a couple of seconds then shuts off. I can never get it to stay on. The only diagnosis so far that I Have done is to check the belt and make sure it is still there and it is. So other than fuses what is next?

 

Sounds like the system is empty, If the a/c light blinks at you then turns off....

If you haven’t run the a/c in a while, the seals in the front of the compressor will dry out and allow Freon to leak around them. No big deal, check to see if there is still any pressure in the system, if so you wont need to re-vac, because there isn't anyway for moisture to get in under pressure, if there is no pressure then re-vac, and recharge, don't add anymore oil, I'm sure there is enough in the lines and drier. Then just run the a/c for a while the seals will get lubricated again and you'll be good to go..

 

1) Pull any codes from the DIC and post them so we can see what's up.
2) What does your external temp readout say? Is it accurate.

 

Could be a faulty outside air temp sensor.

It is less than $10 from the dealer and just plugs in.

The sensor is located on the right (passenger) side of the car, on the outside of the frame rail in the very front by the headlight.

It is held onto the mounting hole on the frame by a plastic push-in clip.

Just pull the clip out of the hole on the frame, release the plug for the wire (the plug has a release clip, pry up on the clip and the plug will release).

Then just put in the new one and you will be in business - it takes a few minutes of driving for the sensor to start reading the outside temp - you have to be moving in my experience.


The sensors are either resistance temperature detectors (RTD's) or Thermistors. The resistance of the sensor changes with the temperature.
If you have any corrosion in any of the associated connectors. it will increase the resistance that the climate controls is reading.
The resistance across the two sensor wires could be almost infinity,
in that case your display would read a low temp.

This just happened to my friend last week. His temp sensor was registering -38*F.

bought the new sensor ($10.82 with tax) but found that the old sensor had corroded and the pins broke off in the connector.

He removed the old sensor... the HVAC defaulted to 69* and will let the AC turn on now. He justs needs to splice in a new connector.

 

At what outside temp will it not allow the A/C to turn on? And when this happens does the A/C light blink then go out?

My car the A/C light blinks then goes out but I think the outside air temp is reading correctly. It is about 47 Degrees in the garage and that is what the display says.


-Justin

 

YOu have always got 2/55 2/45 2/35 or two windows at whatever speed your driving at??? thought you might enjoy a laugh, even though when it is hot not so funny it was 84 degrees here today and the inside of my car was already getting smokin warm

 

We are supposed to be right at 70 this time of year but have only had one day even close to that this year. 60 would be a hot streak this year. Somebody please explain that global warming thing to me would you?

But you are right, if I dropped the top I probably wouldn't need A/C right now.

So what temp does the A/C not run at?


-Justin

 

I believe it's 38*-40* or below the PCM will not let the compressor come on. The light will blink a couple of times quickly and go out. If it comes on longer than that, then goes out, you probably have a different issue. DIC codes can help if it's a relay or circuit problem.
As stated earlier, unplug the sensor and the temp should default to 69* and let the comp come on.