2002 Malibu Air Conditioning Inop

My A/C went dead today and I was wondering if you guys could help me pinpoint the trouble. When I turn it on the light comes on that says it is working and I hear the engine surge a bit and then go back down (computer programmed to increase idle automatically?). The compressor clutch is not rotating and there is no oil leakage anywhere that I can find. If it helps, the radiator fans are both working as well. Again it was just working yesterday and today it isn't. I am leaning towards the low pressure switch as the problem but I am unable to find it. Any help would be appreciated.

Does the light on the A/C button come on then it goes off ?
do you get ANY cold air, even for a few seconds ?

On my Mal this is what happens. I push the button for the A/C , cold air comes out, then the light on the A/C button will flicker then go out. Somewhere on this site ( you may have to do a search) is instructions for cleaning the control head ( the cluster with the button ). Also I would check your fuses first.

Does the light on the A/C button come on then it goes off ?
do you get ANY cold air, even for a few seconds ?

No cold air. All I get is hot air. The control light never goes out by it's own. The control head operates as normal when pushing the button.


On my Mal this is what happens. I push the button for the A/C , cold air comes out, then the light on the A/C button will flicker then go out. Somewhere on this site ( you may have to do a search) is instructions for cleaning the control head ( the cluster with the button ). Also I would check your fuses first.

Fuses are good and the only thing I notice is that the compressor is not turning. The pully behind the clutch is turning however. Thanks any other ideas? I really need to know where the low pressure switch is so I can bypass it by either jumpering or short circuiting it.

try turning on your heat and see if the compressor clutch engages. The a/c is used to remove moisture when heat is selected. Couuld be there is not enough refrig charge and the cut out switch has cut out, did you check your fuses and relays for the a/c ? there also could be a temp sensor and some have an rpm sensor for belt slipage, these could go bad. Could be the clutch itself is shot , also jumping the cluch with a jumper wire ( fused ) from the battery to test the clutch. If the cluch works jumped, it is power like a fuse, relay, work your way back to find out what.

I will look it up tonight where and what switches there are, when i get home, at work now fixin' laptops

be safe do not forget about the turning belt.... also the factory manual that i have is for my 98 mal , i will still look.


a/c refrig pressure sensor maybe on your year mal is on compressor discharge tube. it is on a shradder valve, so i think you will not need to discharge... i said i think, not sure. ... to remove the sensor, looking for a picture

Fixed. The problem was the A/C compressor relay was bad.