1999 a/c issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
1999 a/c issue
I HAVE A '99 COUPE. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE A/C TIL YESTERDAY. WHEN I PUSHED THE A/C BUTTON THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH 4 OR FIVE TIMES AND THEN STAY OFF. (sorry for the caps) the fuses all look to be good and the connection on the compressor seems to be tight. ive had this car almost 2 years, right after i bought it the harmonnic balancer went bad, $600, after that i had to have the right acctuater on the ac had to be replaced, $600. so what now?....do i have to drop another weeks pay? hopefully its an easy fix, thanks for any advice.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The system uses Halogen, no longer freon however, now that this new stuff is there, its filled differently. I truly needs a specific amount of refrigerant and it needs to be done professionally. Too little, of course it won't work. Too much, it won't work either. Ambient temperture is important when they do the initial evac and charge.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I knew that. I was only clarifying for anyone else reading the thread. In the old days, we could simply add a can of R12(Freon) till the bubbles disappeared in the sight-glass and be done with it. Not the case any more. Last I saw, a professional evac and refill was about $50 but its been a while so its possibly higher now.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 118
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From: Waltham MA
Yes, if your charge is high enough to make the system turn on the compressor, but still too low to cool. But you said you had put in 3 cans already - how large were the cans (how many oz)? The refrigerant capacity is stated under the hood on the passenger wheelwell cover...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
From: Barstow Ca
You have to put the right amount of 134a in the system plus oil. Take it to a shop they will evac it then they will find out how much is in it. Then they should use nitrogen to find out where your leak is. It sounds like your system is leaking pretty bad.
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it could be a bad seal in one of the valves or a leak anywhere..I just had 2 lines replaced that were leaking..the one that runs along the firewall is no longer made so if it is leaking you will need someone who can fix it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
Yes, it could be the schrader valves, but you really won't know until you get some dye in the system and look. If you take it somewhere to have the AC charged , make sure you have them put some dye in and find out where it is leaking. There are a number of spots where this can happen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
3 14 oz cans with 0 charge is about right you have a leak
With system evacuated 3 cans if R134 is almost exactly the recommended charge. If it ran for a week OK then stopped cooling you have a leak. Use UV or a can of R134 with dye. Most likely at line connector with loose fitting or a bad O ring. Check that first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Each can is 12 oz so using 3 cans you have overcharged the system and probably damaged the compressor.
Also remember this is for a totally evacuated system holding 28Hg of vacuum.
You really need to get your car to a competent repair shop and have it properly diagnosed and repaired before you damage it further or injure yourself.
