92 Buick PA A/C Trouble

[2early]

I own a 92 Buick PA, base model. It currently has 103000 miles. I live in AZ and today I was driving and the A/C went out. There's an A/C button that lights up when you press it and turn it on. But when I press the 'A/C' button the 'Economy' button comes on. All the other buttons for heating and cooling work, except the A/C button. It doesn't cool as normal. It's very warm and hot. Did I blow a fuse? Does this mean it needs to be recharged with freon? Is there a certain device that I need to get? Is this a minor fix or do I need to take it to a certified technician? Is there some trouble shooting that I can do before consulting a mechanic? Please, please help. It's extremely hot here.
Many thanks in advance for your expertise.
2early

[HotZ28]

More than likely, you are low on refrigerant (Freon) due to a leak. Most common place for a leak would be at the compressor front seal. If your system is still R12, you can add some "Freeze-12" as a substitute for R12, and maybe get by until cooler weather, but it will probably just leak out again before next spring. IIRC, Tuscon has only two seasons, HOT & WARM!

On a system nearly 20-yrs old, it would be best to do a conversion to 134a refrigerant and replace the compressor, expansion valve & accumulator. Most EPA-MVAC-609 certified A/C shops are equipped to properly evacuate & flush the system, before the part replacement. Get several estimates from qualified shops & be sure to compare apples with apples, because the repair cost can vary considerably between shops. Most shops will quote a "rebuilt" compressor, which should work fine for a few years, but if you are planning to keep the car, it would be better to pay the extra 100-bucks for a new unit. The average shop warranty on A/C compressor replacement is 12-mo or 12K miles, whichever comes first. Be sure to verify the warranty with each shop estimate. Good luck!

[2early]

Thanks HotZ28.
Is recharging the a/c easy to do? I've done some work on cars but nothing with the a/c. Concerning the job you mentioned, how much would that cost? I've been taken advantage before and it really hurt. Where would the recharging line be located? I can't seem to locate the compressor.
Many thanks!!!

[HotZ28]

The parts & labor to complete the job mentioned, may range between 600-1000 bucks depending on the shop labor rates & quality of parts quoted. The compressor is located on the front, lower passenger side of the engine. If you remove the plastic air dam under the radiator, it is easy to see. If the system is still R12, you would need R12 can fittings, as well as an R12 gage set. In addition, in order to purchase R12, or Freeze-12, you would need an ID card proving that you have an EPA MVAC-609 certification. Like I mentioned earlier, it would be best to do a conversion, so if you ever have another problem, you can easily purchase 134a refill cans and charging gage/hose at any automotive retailer, or Wally Mart without documentation of certification.

[2early]

HotZ28,
Wow!! That's expensive for a/c work. I would have to do this myself then. I had someone to check it out today and they pumped a can of green dye into the lines to check for leaks, but the compressor wouldn't come on. Then he put an amp meter on it but couldn't get a reading. He believes it's a relay or an open wire, instead of the compressor. Is there a way to check the relays and if so do you know precisely which relay it is or do I have to check all of them? I believe I counted 5-6 relays. I've checked online but nothing about troubleshooting the relays. Do you recommend I let a professional do the conversion? Also, if a new compressor is needed it should be done by a professional also since the refrigerant is pressurized? Sir, you have a wealth of knowledge in mechanics. This isn't my first issue with a car. Every time I've requested help from this site it's always been you and with all the right answers and details. You would put most of these unethical mechanics and techs out of business if you were here. I appreciate you're help.
Thanks a bunch.

[88PA]

We live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. My old 88 PA AC went out in August, TALK ABOUT HOT! :| Costs 950 to replace all the important stuff and worth every penny.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 2early

HotZ28,
Wow!! That's expensive for a/c work. I would have to do this myself then.

If you do not have the experience, knowledge, equipment, or certification, I would not attempt doing this on your own!

Originally Posted by 2early

I had someone to check it out today and they pumped a can of green dye into the lines to check for leaks, but the compressor wouldn't come on. Then he put an amp meter on it but couldn't get a reading. He believes it's a relay or an open wire, instead of the compressor. Is there a way to check the relays and if so do you know precisely which relay it is or do I have to check all of them? I believe I counted 5-6 relays. I've checked online but nothing about troubleshooting the relays.

Have you verified voltage, or ground @ the relay (first one on the passenger side, under-hood relay center)? Click Here
In this particular thread, we are talking about a '96 PA, which has a different pressure sensor (transducer) than the earlier models. Your '92 has a low side pressure switch mounted on the accumulator and a high side switch located on the compressor. You can may be able to "jump" the low side pressure switch to make the compressor engage temporally in order to add some refrigerant.

Originally Posted by 2early

Do you recommend I let a professional do the conversion? Also, if a new compressor is needed it should be done by a professional also since the refrigerant is pressurized?

Yes, I do recommend a "professional" A/C specialist, since this is not a job for most of the num-nuts who are not MVAC-609 certified!

Originally Posted by 2early

Sir, you have a wealth of knowledge in mechanics. This isn't my first issue with a car. Every time I've requested help from this site it's always been you and with all the right answers and details. You would put most of these unethical mechanics and techs out of business if you were here. I appreciate you're help.
Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for the compliment, we are pleased to offer over 50-yrs of experience & advice here! Again, with this particular problem, stay away from the shops who are not A/C specialized! BTW, do not return to the person/shop who "pumped a can of green dye into the lines to check for leaks". This is "old school" method and not how you troubleshoot an A/C system! "Green dye" (which is mostly oil) will congest & clog the system! We now use electronic, or ultrasonic "sniffers" (leak detectors) to locate leaks! Click Here

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 88PA

We live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. My old 88 PA AC went out in August, TALK ABOUT HOT! :| Costs 950 to replace all the important stuff and worth every penny.

I was in Parker, AZ in the late 60's when the London Bridge was being shipped to Lake Havasu City stone-by-stone, to be reconstructed piece by piece. I watched the bridge construction & returned to Lake Havasu annually, many years thereafter. Back then, very few people out there had A/C in their homes, much less their vehicles for that matter. It was HOT, but I loved it!!

London Bridge 1971