AC Problems, Also Transmission.

[X-I-Ozzy-I-X]

I Own a 2000 Buick century, and have had many problems with it.

First: Intake manifold gasket went at 62,000 miles. Bought this car at 58,000, had it replaced by the dealership, and they said they don't cover gaskets but they did it as a "courtesy" replacement. (Mulane Lockport, NY) Never again will I buy a car from them, or buicks. Cost around $1100 to repair for them.

Second: Transmission problems, hard shifts and a whining noise comming from the transmission at around 45-55 (3rd gear). This problem doesn't really bother me, but when it does I will get it repaired. I have heard from previous owners that the torque converter is bad and needs replacement. (If anyone has any other information on this please tell me)

***LASTLY: Air conditioning problem, the AC Compressor clutch will not engage. Right now I am currently diagnosing the problem on my own. I am checking the fuses and the wiring to the compressor to make sure the compressor actually has power. If anyone has any information on this could they please post what was wrong with their car.***

I have had 5 minor issues with this car to, but wasn't costly to repair. Did most of the work myself, I goto a trade school for Automotive 1&2 done in june.

Thank you for taking the time and reading my post about the AC & Transmission problem I am having.

X-I-Ozzy-I-X

[X-I-Ozzy-I-X]

Still havn't found the problem, checked the fuses, they are all good. Still wondering if there is a spot where the wires could be harmed, anyone know where this could happen if it can?

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

Was the A/C working when you first bought it? The compressor will not engage if the refrigerant (R134a) charge is too low. You'll have to check low side pressure at the low side port to confirm if it is a low refrigerant issue. Also, in the circuit is the A/C clutch relay and clutch diode located in the engine compartment fuse box. If the charge is good then that would be next place to look.

It is a common problem with the 4T65E autotransaxle. Normally the hard shifting and whining sound is caused by the classic flaky PCS solenoid issue. With the car scanned with a trans capable scan tool a P1811 DTC may show which would indicate an issue with the PCS. A bad PCS could affect torque converter operation.

[X-I-Ozzy-I-X]

Yes, the AC compressor was working when I have purchased it. I was thinking it could also be low charge since the AC was warm when it was working, so I have a AC charge kit from my old pontiac parisienne, 1986, I had to retrofit that car so I could charge it. So tommaro I think im going to charge the system and see if it works and get back. Tonight was helping my father put disk brake pads on the rear of his 2002 yukon 4WD, they gave him a wrong pad so we had to take a 45 min ride to Autozone in lockport since it was the only one open.

Also, is replacing the PCS solenoid costly? About how much would the unit alone cost, and if I "could" replace it at my trade school, how long would It take do you think. I just want estimates not the actual value because I wouldn't expect it since prices vary, and hours on cars vary. Monday I will take out a OBD2 Scammer and scam the transmission, is that what its under?

Thank you for welcoming me by the way heh, the site looks legit.

[BNaylor]

A PCS solenoid costs around $50.00. Replacing it is a different issue since it is located under the tranny side cover at the valve body. See link below.

Click here

Depending on where you live transmission shops may charge around $500 and up just to replace the PCS. But as usual will try to talk you into a rebuild.

[X-I-Ozzy-I-X]

Yeah, I might buy that part and replace it over a weekend or something depending on how long it would take to drop the tranny.

So I have finally got around to charging the AC system today. I charged it to 40-50 PSI, and the clutch still does not engage. I'm going to check if the wires have power to them right now since I couldn't do this yesterday. The fuses look all good, never opened the fuse box in the engine compartment though, so after if the wires look good, im going to open that fuse box.

Any more ideas? haha.

Also, when I was going though the fuse box, I saw 3 things for the ac clutch that could be bad. First I saw the fuse, but i know thats good because I took i out and looked at it. Theres 2 others, a AC clutch diod or however you spell it, and an AC clutch relay. Could any of these be the problem?

[X-I-Ozzy-I-X]

Ok so I cleaned off the terminals on the AC, and all of the sudden it started working, I charged the system to 50 PSI, its in the middle for where I live. With the AC clutch working now, it still does not blow cold air, Does anyone know if the r134 or whatever its called goes bad in 1 1/2 years? It was stored in a cabinet in my garage... but I highly doubt that this goes bad because cars are outside almost all the time and you don't have to recharge the system every year. Thanks...


If I can't find out the problem, I am going to take it to a friend that I know that owns a shop, would rather find out for myself tho.

[brcidd]

You are still low on refrigerant...needs more- watch the head pressure- and be sure the cooling fans come on....