I need A/C help...

[erik79]

Ok, it's about 3 million degrees in Houston right now. My 96 ga 3.1 will not blow cold air. I've put about two cans (24oz.) of r-134a into the system, I'm not very familiar with how A/C works so I take it to a "mechanic", he tells me that when i turn on the A/c to max the cooling fan should kick on, that that is the reason for not getting cold air out of the vents. Sounds like a crock to me. I am thinking about putting 1 more can of 134 in it, thinking that maybe its still too low, the compressor clutch kicks in when the freon goes inside the line, so i don't think its the compressor. I'm also going to inject some dye into the system to check for leaks (any idea where my best place to find a leak is?). I know A/c problems can be very expensive so i'd like to start cheap before I go replacing the whole system. All Help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

[Northcat]

If the a/c fan isn't running, that's a problem.

I would start with the fan relay. Driver's side under the hood, between the air filter and master cylinder. Identies should be on a sticker under the cover.

You can check them with a volt meter to see if they are working. I have the haynes manual at home for directions. but they are only $7.00 (I think).

[Slade901]

You should still getting cold air if the fan is not set to MAX.

While on Vent selector , Check your fan to make sure that your fan works on all speed setting. Some fan when the resistor of the fan fails, the fan won't work in any speed setting but works on the highest setting. Once you know that the fan works on all setting then you should be getting cold air in any fan setting.

When you charge your A/C, the fan should be set on high speed and and the AC on MAX and that allows the r-134a to get circulated and clutch works to circulate the charge.

If you want to get cheap, I would get a leak detector kit which contains a dye and a glass to trace the leak. I would also get a R-134a gauge. If you are not holding a charge then you have leak somewhere.

Make sure that the connection of those ac hose that goes to the ac compressor is tight and not looose. I've seen them leak there because the bolt is not tightened up.