Automotive A/C Question

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Head may be blown up as well. Won't turn on compressor. Junkyard time...

My wife would just love that - she wants a new car!

Anyway, I dropped it off at a local shop this afternoon.

Ironically, we went and looked at an X3 she found on Craigslist. We get in and fire it up, then I turn on the A/C and see it's already set to 59°... - yup, its A/C was toast. The seller tried to tell us "It just needs some freon..."

[RANDY P]

Good luck, its a Saab. No parts...

rjp

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Good luck, its a Saab. No parts...

Au contraire...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza_(second_generation)#Saab_9-2X

[RKDinOKC]

Don't understand people trying to sell cars without the A/C working. You can easily sell any piece of junk vehicle if the A/C blows cold in this summer weather.

Had a 914 with A/C. with the fan on the lowest setting and the temp on the warmest setting with it 106*F out cruising down the highway I had to open the windows because it got too cold. With the fan higher and the temp set colder it was way too cold even with the windows down and the top off.

[widebody911]

Well, the shop I took it to today was worthless - they told me I need a new ECU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Tomorrow it goes to a real Subaru shop.

And now apparently the Saabaru is my problem...

[GH85Carrera]

So AC problems are part of the ECU?

Sure makes me love my old 80s vintage vehicles. The AC compressor is easy to see and easy to replace is it wears out. Just one wire to the compressor. The AC works great in both of my vehicles.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

So AC problems are part of the ECU?

Yeah, no. Basically the shop had no clue and "punted" with the ECU excuse.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

check fuses? You don't have power at the clutch.... Anything else electrical in the car that is dead?

rjp

Magnetic clutch relay?

[asphaltgambler]

My response would be - if you the ECU in and it doesn't completely resolve my A/C issue, I'm not paying a dime - also we'll put that in writing - have the service manager sign it as well.......

[RANDY P]

it's a subaru. brain for such likely in the panel itself. What could they cost from the wrecking yard? maybe $.25?

rjp

[widebody911]

So, I got the A/C working last week.

I went out to the Subaru junkyard and got an ECM for $80. Plugged it in, and the A/C works... for about 20 minutes. Then the check-engine lights comes on and we're right back where we started.

So I did some more googling, specifically the check engine and flashing cruise control light. Turns out there is a 'boot up' sequence you must undertake any time you have the battery disconnect for any extended length of time. Basically you disconnect the battery, and leave the key 'on' for 20 minutes or so until every last electron is out of the system. Then you connect the battery, start it up, but don't touch anything for 20 minutes - just let it idle and let the ECM re-learn how to run the engine. This worked. The A/C worked again, and stayed working.

I went back to the shop the next week and explained my process for fixing the car. He was impressed, and refused to charge me for the work he'd already done - the A/C evac, re-charge, and replacing the pressure switch.

The wife is in love with her new X3; does anyone want to buy a nice Saabaru?

[Tobra]

I believe it is spelled Saabaru

[RKDinOKC]

Kudos to you for getting the A/C fixed before trying to sell.

[Tobra]

Is the software related to the HAL 9000 series?