A/C control cluster in dash
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 12, 2019 at 08:50 PM.

Again on the right hand side of the car in the engine bay there is a aluminum refrigerant line with a aluminum cap over a Schrader valve. It's for filling the system and checking pressure. Remove that tap and with a small screwdriver ever so quickly and I mean really quickly, just push the valve with your screwdriver for a really short burst and listen for an obvious pressure in the system. You should get a pretty substantial blast of pressure from that line. That will tell you if you have a charge or not. It goes without saying don't let all your refrigerant out.
Chuck

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1560260389
Would you please go turn the key on and then jump across that relay so we know if the clutch is engaging or not. It will take all of 15 seconds and we can go from there.
Chuck
As mentioned above, the green fluid could be refrigerant oil mixed with UV dye.
I have to say you guys have been the greatest for all of your help and info. I am trying to post pictures but not having much luck but will keep trying. If the images came thru more than once I am sorry. I hope the pic's are self explanatory.
AGAIN YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST AND I can not thank you enough and I know you all are probably happy not hearing from me again on this subject and hopefully I will not have to post any more on it either.. If it works tomorrow hopefully that is it and your job of guiding a not so smart guy to get something fixed right and believe you me I have learned a lot not to jump before I get some expert knowledge from the FORUM.


Gotta say, that looks like coolant to me, not oil from the Ac compressor. The sheer volume of it, and the color, just doesn't look like UV dye to me, I say antifreeze.
That plug? Man, that doesn't look like anything I've seen. I've take a lot of c5 stuff apart, never remembered anything like that. I know inside the passengers fender there are some really wacky looking vacuum fittings on the canister and brake in there, but even still I don't recall anything shaped quite like that. Not sure what to say.
Your system could be overcharged, undercharged, idk. Either one can cause it to not work at all. Overcharge is obviously easier to fix, just let some out. But without gauges on it, and a chart to tell you ambient temp pressures, I would not mess with it. You need gauges to check it (harbor freight sells a set for about $60) and then you need to know the ambient temp to tell what pressure is proper. It varies a TON. More than 100psi different from chilly outside temps to 90f. So you cannot just guess. Charts on the internet will tell you, if it's let's say 80f outside, you use XXX for the low side pressure and YYY for the high side. A hot engine bay makes it very difficult to get right because of heat soak.
Yes, you're correct, I'm glad to hear you finally did the test. Now you know what to listen for, and you'll hear it happening when you're sitting in traffic now.
I do not have good faith in the shop you took it to. They have no clue about Ac other than add till pressures are around X and call it a day. Do yourself a favor and don't go back there for ac work. Any decent technician would have fixed this on the spot and this thread would have been unnecessary.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-LED-UV-U...sAAOSwDQFbTwVy
It's a UV flashlight that allows you to look at night and see where leaks come from (after putting in the UV dye of course). If you can find a cheaper one, do that. This is some way over built thing for 5 bucks, but there's smaller cheaper ones. You need one in your toolbox. Do NOT store it with the batteries in it, store them in a bag alongside. All batteries nowadays suck and leak and destroy your stuff and then you get to buy new tools. That's not by accident.
I have 4 or 5 of them, one in every tool box, desk at work, library at home, they're great.


Gotta say, that looks like coolant to me, not oil from the Ac compressor. The sheer volume of it, and the color, just doesn't look like UV dye to me, I say antifreeze.
That plug? Man, that doesn't look like anything I've seen. I've take a lot of c5 stuff apart, never remembered anything like that. I know inside the passengers fender there are some really wacky looking vacuum fittings on the canister and brake in there, but even still I don't recall anything shaped quite like that. Not sure what to say.
Your system could be overcharged, undercharged, idk. Either one can cause it to not work at all. Overcharge is obviously easier to fix, just let some out. But without gauges on it, and a chart to tell you ambient temp pressures, I would not mess with it. You need gauges to check it (harbor freight sells a set for about $60) and then you need to know the ambient temp to tell what pressure is proper. It varies a TON. More than 100psi different from chilly outside temps to 90f. So you cannot just guess. Charts on the internet will tell you, if it's let's say 80f outside, you use XXX for the low side pressure and YYY for the high side. A hot engine bay makes it very difficult to get right because of heat soak.
Yes, you're correct, I'm glad to hear you finally did the test. Now you know what to listen for, and you'll hear it happening when you're sitting in traffic now.
I do not have good faith in the shop you took it to. They have no clue about Ac other than add till pressures are around X and call it a day. Do yourself a favor and don't go back there for ac work. Any decent technician would have fixed this on the spot and this thread would have been unnecessary.
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 13, 2019 at 08:42 PM.

Cool looking socket you've got there. I like that!
With any luck, I'll never need one!

97Chuck69,
You should check your A/C pressures to have an idea how things are after all this, but as K-Spaz mentioned, you have to be prepared.
You need an A/C Manifold Gauges set. Doesn't have to be top-of-the-line and uber expensive. One from Harbor Freight would be fine, as mentioned above, or get a free loaner from an auto parts store.
Although not essential, a Thermometer will give you a better idea of the A/C system health. You can get for around 5 bucks:
Pressures vary not only with temperature, but with humidity and the RPMs of the engine. Don't add refrigerant blindly.
Check both pressures to have an idea of how things are. Take a look at this Post. It has detailed instructions to check/add refrigerant.
-These are the CliffsNotes:
First you'll need to find the current ambient temperature and humidity. Then, using the chart below, determine your target values for:
- High Pressure
- Low Pressure and
- Center Vent Temp.
Now proceed to take your readings. Make sure you take them with (otherwise readings will be affected):
- Engine @ 2000 rpm
- A/C in coldest setting
- Fan at maximum speed
- Both windows down
- Thermometer in center air vent
When adding refrigerant, pay attention to both pressures, otherwise you might end up with the high side sky-high trying to get the low side to the chart's value.
Let us know how it goes

, while refrigerant oil won't 
I can't figure out the picture below. What's in it?
Last edited by GCG; Jul 14, 2019 at 02:11 AM.
equipment...I’m a diagnostic equipment junkie...LOL !!...the relay plugs into the appropriate adapter and the adapter gets plugged into the fuse box...easy to do voltage drop testing on an operating relay and it also does relay testing !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 13, 2019 at 10:57 PM.

equipment...I’m a diagnostic equipment junkie...LOL !!...the relay plugs into the appropriate adapter and the adapter gets plugged into the fuse box...easy to do voltage drop testing on an operating relay and it also does relay testing !!
Thanks!
Last edited by 97Chuck69; Jul 14, 2019 at 07:04 AM. Reason: checking for video










