A/C

[Mikewire]

^ Hey that's great info -- thanks!

A small update - I went and grabbed one of those quick AC charger bottles yesterday. One, to check the system pressure, and two, to add some R134 if indeed the system was low. Now, I'm pretty sure I used the bottle correctly and followed the directions, but when I hooked up the nozzle to the low side, the system pressure measured very high, and was off the gauge.

I tried letting a bit of pressure out, and it seemed to come down a bit, but not anywhere within the spec that it should be in. So I'm wondering if the PO jacked the pressure up or if I have something else going on here.

It could also be that the clutch is stuck, so the system never cycles off and on. I also notice the drive plate (the very outer plate) does not spin with the compressor, which seems strange to me.

I also have some diagrams of the pressure switch I got from Randy so I can check that out as well.

Either way I'm still stumped. I really want to pull that AC clutch off though, I bet it's the culprit.

[Roadhog]

was the AC on when you checked the pressure? If it's off the high and low side will equalize.

[Mikewire]

was the AC on when you checked the pressure? If it's off the high and low side will equalize.

Yeah see I checked it both on and off and the pressure is the same. Which is why I think the clutch is not releasing - the AC is always on, regardless, and it's not cycling off, ever.

[Roadhog]

was the AC on when you checked the pressure? If it's off the high and low side will equalize.

Yeah see I checked it both on and off and the pressure is the same. Which is why I think the clutch is not releasing - the AC is always on, regardless, and it's not cycling off, ever.

Sounds like you had an internal compressor failure. You don't get cold air right?

[Mikewire]

I do get cold air, the compressor works fine.

ALL.THE.TIME

[Roadhog]

I do get cold air, the compressor works fine.

ALL.THE.TIME

That's impossible if your low and high side are reading the same.

[Mikewire]

Not impossible if the AC is not cycling. And, ok, I didn't explain well enough...I am only reading the low side, the valve on the high side is bigger and I don't have a gauge for that side. These recharge bottles only fit the low side valve, and the bottle has a gauge on it.

Regardless, the low pressure is not low pressure. So, either the AC clutch is stuck on, not cycling off, or there is something with the pressure valve not shutting the system off.

Tonight I will unplug the AC coil and see what the pressure is with the compressor unplugged and the coil de-energized.

[76scirocco]

I think that the compressor is not spinning at idle and that is why the low side reading is high. I think it may only be spinning when you get the revs up heading down the road. since you said that is the only time it cools. Try revving up the engine to see if the clutch will kick in while the car is stopped. The plate on the front of the compressor clutch has to be spinning for the compressor to be turning.

[choptopvolksrod]

mike have the car off and see if you can spin the center part of the a/c compressor. if the car is off and you cant spin it, it is locked up.

[Mikewire]

^ You know what, I have an update on this. Randy (76scirocco) came by and we took a look at it, and above 1200RPM's the compressor kicks on and runs. Below that, it's off.

So, clutch is good. Took it home and checked the pressure by revving it above 1200RPM's, it's good and within the spec.

Why in the world would it not kick on until 1200RPM's???