Another AC issue...

mike561 · #1 08-31-2007, 11:39 PM

This began today, as im driving and the car is moving the air will be cold, but when im stopped it gets warm. i think is has something to do with the compressor clutch, i just had the compressor replaced about a month ago and is still under the warranty, so i will take it to the shop this week, but i just want to know in advance what it could be, maybe something simple. also when the ac is on and i step on the gas the belt squeaks, ONLY when the ac is on and the gas is pressed though. im thinking the belt might be slipping and its something to do with the compressor clutch. also one last thing, i had a simmilar issue with this new compressor as well, when i would turn on the ac the engine would shut off because the clutch was stuck, but they have since fixed that of course.

CD Smalley · #2 09-01-2007, 09:08 AM

It does sound like the belt is loose.

Did the car just get converted to 134r? If so, this sounds kind of typical for AC performance once a conversion from r12.

silicon212 · #3 09-01-2007, 12:28 PM

It could also be the pressure switch on the accumulator. With R134a, it's a good idea to replace this part with a new one.

mike561 · #4 09-01-2007, 05:19 PM

well when i bought the car the ac was already converted (it had the new connecters installed) but who knows when that was done. also the compressor would be making a loud "clicking" sound, and then started to squeak really loud when on. so im not going to even use it now til i have it all checked out.

mike561 · #5 09-01-2007, 06:35 PM

well now whenever i turn on the ac the engine shuts off, so its gotta be a compressor issue now.

silicon212 · #6 09-01-2007, 07:05 PM

The 'click' is the compressor clutch kicking on, and the 'squeal' is likely a loose or glazed belt, as CD Smalley suggested. If the engine stalls, that's not necessarily a compressor issue; it could well be the engine is not in tune or you have a vacuum leak. Tighten the belt, as CD Smalley suggested and see if that makes the problem go away.

mike561 · #7 09-01-2007, 09:16 PM

ok, what i dont get though is up til yesterday, i never had any problems, i could start the engine and compressor at the same time, and no issues. it seems that the clutch is not rotating or is stuck.

mike561 · #8 09-05-2007, 07:48 PM

well its working again now, they told me something got pulled into the compressor from the evaporator and jammed it up. strange...

emarkay · #9 09-08-2007, 10:44 PM

Something plugged the expansion orfice - But I fail to see how that stopped the engine...

A/C is a strange beast. It's worth reading into, for once you know it, there's nothing it can do that boggles you anymore. It took me a few months to "get it" and now I can almost look at a car's A/C and diagnose it...

Get your 609 Cert, too, then you can do it for more than fun.
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/.../609certs.html
Google around for a few free courses for the test...

mike561 · #10 09-08-2007, 11:45 PM

yeah i know car ac systems have to be perfect or they wont work. im actually going to school right now to become ASE certified

silicon212 · #11 09-09-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike561

yeah i know car ac systems have to be perfect or they wont work. im actually going to school right now to become ASE certified

My not-so-humble opinion of ASE certification -

I've seen too many repairs improperly performed by ASE certified techs. I've seen very good, knowledgeable mechanics (a tech, IMO, should work on computers and not cars - I am both a mechanic and a tech (PCs)) who have abstained from the ASE bandwagon. It's a piece of paper that attempts to let customers know that one is knowledgeable about automotive repair. It's a marketing farce - nothing more and nothing less.

CompTIA A+ certification among computer techs works the same way, and carries the same weight in my eyes. I am niether ASE nor A+ certified - and to be honest, my skills and knowledge will allow me to run rings around some who are certified.

A/C systems don't have to be perfect to work - my own car needs the accumulator pressure switch replaced, but it still works (mostly). I have the system SLIGHTLY overcharged, to compensate. It may not work as efficiently in an overcharged state, but it runs for longer periods. I need to replace that switch.

bhw33191 · #12 10-23-2007, 08:31 PM

Hey mike561 i have the same year car and size engine as you and have been having an AC problem too. Mine doesnt even get cold at all and i am not familar in this kind of repair. Has anyone else been having this problem and how do i fix it?? By the way those rims look really good.

mike561 · #13 10-23-2007, 09:46 PM

Thanks, well first do you know if your system has been converted to the new R-134a freon? you can tell if it has by seeing if theres a blue cap on the accumulator (the accumulator is the little round silver thing on the pass. side) either way i would try charging it first and seeing if theres a leak, thats what i did then went from there, though my compresser was bad in the end.

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