air cond. not working

[cf1]

my 97 lumina air wont work.. the compresor wont even click. relay checks ok.. was ok last year.. i just put an intake gasket on, mabe i knocked a wire off.. any help..

[jeffcoslacker]

Make sure you didn't forgot to hook up a ground wire...probe the compressor's pigtail with a test light and see if you have a ground but no hot, or hot and no ground when it's on...then you'll know at least which is the problem.

[jeffcoslacker]

Make sure the pigtail didn't just get corroded over the winter too...happens occaisionally...you pull the plug off and put it back on, and it starts working...

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

Make sure the pigtail didn't just get corroded over the winter too...happens occaisionally...you pull the plug off and put it back on, and it starts working...

i checked all the relays and the fuses, i will check the connector for the compressor, this thing wont even click.. cold low freon doit?

[jeffcoslacker]

Yes there is a low pressure cutoff switch...won't let the compressor run if the system is too low...

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

Yes there is a low pressure cutoff switch...won't let the compressor run if the system is too low...

jeff.. theres nothing at the compressor,, i took the pigtail off and nothing no current. i run a hot wire from the battery, to the compessor and it kicked in.. the haynes book said check the pigtail at the accumulator, and jump it. theres 3 wires on it red gray black, when i jump the gray and black the engine stops runing, when i jump the black or gray it does nothing.. when i put my test lite on the plug im geting current..is there any other grounds?

[jeffcoslacker]

I'm afraid to suggest any more...I haven't worked on A/C systems since they got more complex and had connections to the ECM (which is why I suspect it died when you crossed it up)...

If one wire coming off the switch matches one at the compressor, I'd think that should be the one you need to to jump power to...did you verify ground at one side of the compressor plug?

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

I'm afraid to suggest any more...I haven't worked on A/C systems since they got more complex and had connections to the ECM (which is why I suspect it died when you crossed it up)...

If one wire coming off the switch matches one at the compressor, I'd think that should be the one you need to to jump power to...did you verify ground at one side of the compressor plug?

there is a ground at one side of the compressor.. the haynes manual says that if i take the pigtail of the accumulator and jump the wires it should kick the compressor on.. but as i said it stops the engine.. could the pcm be the problem? if its low freon the manual states the compressor has to be working, to put freon in..

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by cf1

there is a ground at one side of the compressor.. the haynes manual says that if i take the pigtail of the accumulator and jump the wires it should kick the compressor on.. but as i said it stops the engine.. could the pcm be the problem? if its low freon the manual states the compressor has to be working, to put freon in..

It doesn't HAVE to be...most times they will kick on as soon as the refigerant starts to go in, just doesn't go in very fast with the compressor off...

You can get an R134a recharge kit very cheap and shoot it, just to see if it will start up and run, or starts blowing out of the system like crazy somewhere..

If the system is so low that the compressor won't start, then just the pressure of a charge can hooked to it will bring system pressure up high enough to close the low pressure switch and start the compressor...may take a few seconds to a minute before it does, but I've not seen one fail to start unless there was something else wrong...running cold water over the condensor will make it draw it in faster too...

If you have power as far as the low pressure switch, and you were able to start the compressor directly, it sounds like the system is low charge or the switch died...I doubt the ECM is involved...

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

It doesn't HAVE to be...most times they will kick on as soon as the refigerant starts to go in, just doesn't go in very fast with the compressor off...

You can get an R134a recharge kit very cheap and shoot it, just to see if it will start up and run, or starts blowing out of the system like crazy somewhere..

If the system is so low that the compressor won't start, then just the pressure of a charge can hooked to it will bring system pressure up high enough to close the low pressure switch and start the compressor...may take a few seconds to a minute before it does, but I've not seen one fail to start unless there was something else wrong...running cold water over the condensor will make it draw it in faster too...

If you have power as far as the low pressure switch, and you were able to start the compressor directly, it sounds like the system is low charge or the switch died...I doubt the ECM is involved...

the low pressure switch is what i think too.. if the clutch was gone on the compressor it wouldnt run when i jump it.. if the pcm or relay was at fault, i wouldnt get any fire to the switch on the accumulator.. l guess i will try freon and hope it kicks on.. thanks for the help..

[jeffcoslacker]

R134a...I suspect you are using the term Freon generically, but just in case...

Good luck, tell us what happens...

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

R134a...I suspect you are using the term Freon generically, but just in case...

Good luck, tell us what happens...

jeff.. just bought the 134a kit at auto zone, hooked it up it took less than a minute to empty the 19 oz can.. compressor still never come on , i see no leakage.. something not right..

[jeffcoslacker]

If you have any more, try putting it in with the engine off so you can hear it blowing out...have a door open too in case it's the evap core..

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

If you have any more, try putting it in with the engine off so you can hear it blowing out...have a door open too in case it's the evap core..

i did that,, if its leaking i cant find it, could the system just be totaly dry, i had good air last year.. i never had it recharged since i bought it new.. is the switch at the accumulator replacable? could it be the switch on the dash? how would i check ?

[jeffcoslacker]

Deos your recharge kit have a gauge? Does it show static pressure in the system with the motor off? How much?