1990 240SX A/C and Cruise Control Problem

[Thermo]

I recently purchased a used 1990 240SX which is in great shape. Two things are nagging me right now.

1) The cruise control doesn't seem to work. The light comes on the switch when I engage the cruise control on the left, but when I press the set speed button on the steering wheel column - the cruise control light on the dash doesn't light up - and it doesn't start holding it's speed. I suspect I have a dead switch so it's apart and soaking in cleaner right now - but I am wondering if there is anything else I should look at.

2) The A/C doesn't start. When I press the A/C button - the light does not light up on the switch - and no cool air flows. Just normal air. Blower seems to be fine - heat, normal air flowing ok. Again - I suspect a faulty switch but I am wondering if there is something easy to look at before I bring it in to to an AC mechanic.

I could have sworn both of these were ok when I purchased the car a couple of weeks ago - I know for sure I have seen the cruise control light on the dash light up at least one - it was green.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Thermo]

Did a little more research - it appears the cruise control problem may be related to the switches underneath the brake and clutch pedals.

A/C problem is probably low freon levels. Bit of a pain to fix this as I will have to convert to R134a - assuming the compressor is rusted to crap. Oh well.

[Thermo]

Fixed cruise control - the switch behind the clutch pedal wasn't engaging because the pedel wasn't travelling up far enough. I just turned the switch in about 3 mm and everything works perfectly. If I took the car on the road - and held the clutch up with my toe - the cruise would engage. Easy to find and fix.

Just putting the info here in case anyone ever has the same problem.

[saikou240]

i have the same AC problem. yeah, you'll have to get the R-134a conversion cuz they don't make freon no more (EPA thing). i've seen kits tho that convert your existing system to using r-134a for aroudn 50 bux. haven't bothered to try it out yet, wanna test it out for me?

[Thermo]

I don't have all the tools and other equipment required to install a R134a kit myself. However, I checked around with a couple of A/C shops and it looks like I can get it done for only $300 CDN - including the refill of R134. This is assuming the compressor hasn't welded itself static with corrosion - in which case the cost is going to be a lot more.

I always thought that it cost a lot more to get the R134 conversion done - the cost appears to have dropped quite a bit.

[saikou240]

$300 bux?? that ain't cheap. i dun know, i asked a similar question a while back wonderin how much a r-12 to r-134a conversion would cost, and only music surfman replied back. i was hopin for somemore feedback.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101
did a google search, and this was the product i was talkin bout.

[saikou240]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101
or this. anyone with experience using these kits??

[Thermo]

I think that kit is only the hoses. You also need to change the dryer/receivor when you convert to R134A. Both quotes I obtained mentioned changing the dryer. Maybe that's why it's $300. That's Canadian as well so if you are in the $US, divide by 1.42.