The A/C blows strong on my 1997 Corvette but not cold. The tech said the following about what's wrong with my 97's A/C:

- No display on control head

- A/C button flashes when turning on A/C

- No compressor clutch engagement

Note: I have a 98 Corvette that I'm considering parting out that has a control head with functioning display and the compressor engages. However, it doesn't blow cold air either. Whats the best way to go about fixing my problem? Would it be easy to swap parts between cars? Thanks.

 

You might want to first find out why the compressor is not engaging.
When the A/C button flashes, and it is not below 40 degrees, it could be the freon pressure is low.
The control display not showing up could just be bad connections on the circuit board resistors, unless you are not getting any power at all to the board.

 

100% Correct..

Read and post the DTCs you have:

Purchase a R134 Charge (with OIL) and add it to the system. If you know the charge is good, you will have to start doing some deep troubleshooting.

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Codes (DTCs)
The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open etc…)
3) Press and hold OPTIONS
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL four times within a 10-second period.

Initially, on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes)
If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.
There are two kinds of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, C or ;H. A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes.
More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.
Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.
Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except E/M. Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present;
press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press RESET
To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles.
Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5.

Here is very good site of DTC definitions:


http://www.gearchatter.com


Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!

 

Is the compressor itself bad? Mine did the same thing, im pretty sure the bearings inside the compressor went.

 

If the compressor is making a lot of noise, or is locked up, that is a different problem. It appears his compressor works part of the time, and is most likely just low on freon.

 

low on freon. if the system is low the compressor won't kick on. No display is the common dim HVAC display. Search and read.

 

And make sure your outside temperature is reading correctly. If it is not working and defaults to a low reading the compressor won't come on.