92 climate control

[Cntrysthbst]

On my climate control display when I first start my car the display blinks for about a minute and then stops. I also noticed that the thing goes to ecomomy every time I push the auto button and no cold air anymore.

I'm ready for any wonderful news anyone has to offer me on why this is happening!

[HotZ28]

It sounds like you are low on "Freon"! The "flashing light", indicates a code is being set. Was your compressor making a noise, before it stopped working? If not, you might get by with adding some R12 or Freeze-12! I had the same problem last fall when my compressor started making a noise, so I continued to drive it through the winter without running the compressor. During spring break this year, I replaced the compressor, drier and orifice tube, did a complete system flush, evactuation and recharged with R-134a. I have been enjoying the nice, "40" deg air again this summer!

Do a search and you will find some post with details on how to reset the ACC and how to change the system over to R134. If you have any problem finding the info, let me know! One thing you might try before throwing in the towel, is to go through the ACC “reset” procedure & see if it will reset. Sometimes, in very hot conditions, the high or low-pressure switches will go out or range and set the flashing code.

[Cntrysthbst]

Yeap, code 66 - low on freon. Definition for code 66 = 1992 Buick Park Avenue for sale by owner.

Let's think, evac, new compressor, orfix, dryer, charge system.

Is there any other options? Can I shoot a can of whip cream in there to get it going?

[HotZ28]

Before you condemn the car, try to have the system “topped off” with R-12 or a shot of “Freeze 12”. Sometimes that will work, if the system has a very slow leak. If you do need to replace the compressor and associated parts, the cost is not too bad, if you do some homework up front, prior to purchasing parts. Go to several shops for a labor estimate for the complete job and then do the math. Listed below are some typical parts & labor cost that I found.

New compressor = $275.00 to $425.00.
Rebuilt compressor= $175.00 to $225.00
Accumulator/Drier= $29.00 to $39.00
Orifice tube =$2.00

Labor to install parts, flush system, evacuate & recharge with R-134a = $150.00 to $300.00
Alternatively, you could install the parts yourself and flush the evaporator, condenser and all lines, then have system evacuated & recharged at the shop = $80.00 to $100.00.

When I replaced the parts on my system, I changed everything in less than three hours, with several 15 min breaks during that time. In addition, since I am EPA 609 Certified, I was able to flush, evacuate & recharge the system using a friends shop equipment. Total investment for me was less than $325.00, including the oil and R-134a. It does not take too many 90 deg+ days, to get a return on investment on that one!

[Cntrysthbst]

Is this Freeze 12 something I can buy and do? Is it the same as R-12?

[HotZ28]

Actually, nothing is exactly “the same” as R-12; however, the EPA has designated some alternative replacements as "acceptable" under the SNAP program. Choosing & Using Alternative Refrigerants for MVACs | Ozone Depletion Alternatives/SNAP | US EPA
Your local Pep Boys should sell Freeze 12, however you still need an EPA 609 MVAC license to purchase it.. For example, using a motor vehicle A/C refrigerant accepted under SNAP as a CFC-12 substitute requires, among other things, the use of a new label and new fittings unique to the alternative, and the CFC-12 must first be removed from the system. Note that there is no do-it-yourself (DIY) exemption from SNAP requirements. Both service technicians and DIYers who use alternatives found unacceptable under SNAP or ignore use conditions, have violated the Clean Air Act. Do not allow anyone to use the EPA “banned” replacement refrigerants listed in the above link, especially those with propane or butane blends!

[Cntrysthbst]

Ok, thanks

[Cntrysthbst]

HotZ? I switched out my alt. and battery in the 92 PA. I started it to see if all was ok and my AC is working now. I understand the climate control reset but why would it run the compressor if the system is low? The pressure switch is set at a specific limit right? I let it sit about a half hour and all was good, maybe not as cold but the one line was sweating, and the comp. cycling. My compressor cycled at 6 seconds on and 2 seconds off. Is this normal after disconnecting the batt/alt.?

[HotZ28]

It is strange how the ACC will sometimes not reset until the battery is disconnected, however, it is quite common and I have even suggested removing the battery ground terminal in previous threads as a remedy to system recovery. It has to do with the “keep alive memory” functions of the RAP and PCM. The system will appear to reset on the control panel, but not to the point of compressor cycle recovery.

You did have a fault that pointed to code 66 “low Freon”. That could be due to an “extreme condition”, such as high ambient heat & humidity that caused the system pressure to fluctuate beyond the normal operating parameters and the controller set the fault code.

Compressor cycle time depends on many variables, such as ambient temperature, blower speed settings and temperature setting on the display. Try this; turn the temperature display setting to 60 deg and fan speed to “high”, then drive the car around during the heat of the day, while measuring the air temperature coming out of the vents. Listen for unusual compressor noise. Also, note how often the compressor is cycling off/on and report your findings here.

You may be lucky and just need a “shot” of Freon to bring the system back to operating in your hot & humid environment! Florida summers can often create “extreme conditions” with AC systems!

[Cntrysthbst]

10-4. I'll post that tomorrow, and thanks!

[Garfield2]

I used to see the R-12 stuff listed on ebay not so long back. It worked better than the new stuff ! My cousin in Nebraska saw the writing on the wall some years ago, and being a farmer, decided to get several cases for the farm.

My opinion is that the ban on R-12 was a crock! Volcanoes emit more harmful toxic gasses that affect ozone and other gasses and lifeforms. Ever smell a sweet smell around an old copier? Or around an old laser printer? That's ozone. Every lightning storm across the face of the earth produces tons of ozone. Our mercury light produce ozone, so do copier/fax/laser printers. Even the wine industry has ozone generating machinery for disenfection. Nothing works like the original.. R-12

[HotZ28]

Actually, one rocket launch from “good ole” Cape Kennedy, burns off more of the Ozone layer, than all of the R-12 ever produced, if all of it was released at the same time! Yea, it is a crock and it was more than just a coincidence that the EPA banning of R-12 took place at the same time as the expiration of DuPont’s patent on R-12.

If we place our future in the hands of Politicians, Lawyers, Wealthy Corporations, Wall Street Traders and Environmentalist, this kind of crap will continue to be shoved down our throats!

I guess, that sometime if the future, gasoline will be considered as a toxic substance, or become totally cost prohibitive. Are we going to wait until it happens, or should we stockpile alternatives and prepare for the inevitable!

Well enough of that subject, now we can move on to what we do have available in lieu of R-12. The link below will show some independent testing on alternative refrigerants. If you will notice, some of the alternatives perform just as well as the original “Freon” R-12!

Alternative Test Result Information provided by Arizona Mobile Air Inc.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by Cntrysthbst

10-4. I'll post that tomorrow, and thanks!

[Garfield2]

feedback?? Ok.. looks like in your picture you're developing a bald spot. Could be from a freon burn or standing too close to a rocket launch, or sun spots.

For freon on the 92 PA, most qualified A/C and heating companies can do a charge on the car. Might cost but not the price of a new car. Or as they said in the movie "Second Hand Lion" ....just learn to do without!

[Cntrysthbst]