Good morning, all!

About 6 months ago, I purchased a replacement compressor and drier and replaced the units myself. Had a shop drain the R134a, I did the work, and had the shop leak test and fill. No leaks, good to go. During the work, I had to do some minor wire splicing because the replacement compressor just had a bare wire (no connector) and the wire coming off the harness had a connector on it. Anyway, spliced the wires and once it was charged, everything was ok for the last 6 months.

Now, the problem I'm hoping to fix:


Last week during a trip, the A/C cut out. The green light stays on, but the compressor doesn't engage. At times, it will engage. And when it does, it immediately starts blowing cold air. It was intermittent for a while, and now it just won't engage at all. Someone told me that if pressure is too high or low it won't engage to protect the compressor- but honestly, I'm not sure what pressure reading should be on the low side if the compressor won't engage. I'm not sure if i need to drain/add R134a since the compressor won't engage..

It sure seems like an electrical problem to me, functionally, the compressor does not make any strange noises or weird clanks, belt looks fine, etc.


Can someone help? I searched all yesterday, but didn't really get the answers i needed to proceed..

 

This sounds similar to my problem in that the clutch is not engaging all of the time. when engaged everything works fine. Can anyone help me locate the wire that goes to the clutch so i can at least test to see if i am getting voltage?

Sorry to jump in on your thread.

 

Ive seen where the wire going into the compressor gets worn right where it enters the case and make an intermittant connection when the wire is moved. See if you can check that wire for continuity. Other than that, I think its off to the a/c shop for a diagnosis

 

I don't know why I didn't do that right away.. At the top of the the splice, i touched the bare wire with a voltmeter and no light (with the engine cranked). I'm no electrician, but maybe I didn't hook the voltmeter clip to a proper ground? If there's current there, the indicator should light up, correct?

 

yes but that wire going to the compressor isnt a constant hot. It only has power when the compressor cycles

 

Darn it, I thought I was on to something!

 

I was told not enough pressure and the AC won't kick on so I'd guess it's low and you may have a leak somewhere. Only way to check is add the freon and dye and have them check again in a week or so. I'm guessing the evaporator is bad, mine was.

 

I guess I could try and add some more R134a- will the compressor kick on when enough has been added?

 

No luck. Still not engaging- Someone recommended i change the Magnetic clutch relay..What do you guys think?

 

OK, Problem solved:

As it would happen, the wire for the low pressure switch was exposed and shorting out- after i replaced this wire, everything is good to go!