AC Not Working - HELP?

[dmk42]

I had the same problem with my 84 Targa. After following kuehl's diagnostics I bought the Radio Shack relay (paid $6.29 + tax, P/N 2750226) and swapped it with the one in my smuggler's box, per ruf-porsche. Problem solved! Thanks much for all the help.

[vesnyder]

You won't believe this, but I put the whole thing back together just so I could drive it and it works!! I did check the smugglers box and could not find the relay - can somebody post a photo or describe where it is? You guys are talking about the smugglers box inside the trunk? I checked around in there and could not locate a relay?

[ruf-porsche]

Another problem solved on the Pelican Board.

[dmk42]

Here's a pic. showing the Radio Shack relay in place in my 84 Targa. It's the black plastic component on the outside wall of the box with red, yellow, red+white, and black wires attached. It's held in place by a nut and stud that's on the outside wall of the box.

[kuehl]

Sounds like it "may" have been a lose connection. But, great team work!

[vesnyder]

Thanks a lot guys - the photo really helps. I wonder if it may have been the power wire - the connection is fairly corroded. This board rocks!!

[bigchillcar]

dmk,
what exactly was the problem you were having that you substituted the existing a/c relay in the smuggler's box for one from radio shack? periodically when running my fan on highest speed, everything will quit - fan and all - is this similar to the problem you were experiencing?
ryan

[ruf-porsche]

Hey Ryan

Does the a/c quit or just the fan? Fan for the evaporator receives current from the relay in the smuggler box. There is also a fan resistor that control the speed of the fan. Cheapest fix will be to replace the relay from rat shack. Actually I found a seller that sells Bosch automotive relays for under 2 bucks, but shipping will be the killer on this deal. http://www.partsexpress.com.

[bigchillcar]

ruf,
hey that's great! the fan just suddenly quits..i have to turn it to a lower setting and then after a couple of minutes it turns itself back on. thanks for the cool tip..
ryan

[kuehl]

Check your shunt resistors located in the RH side plenum intake,
below the passg. side foot board. As I recall they have bimetal
contacts to break the contact when they over heat.

[Yellowbird RS]

AC Not Working - HELP?
it has never done it and never will

[bigchillcar]

here's a hot data point for ya: sunny, 100 degrees in little rock..thermometer said my car with windows cracked open, sitting in the shade turned off was 105 degrees. driving on the highway for an hour at 75 mph (oil temp 220-230, no aux cooler) the cabin temp never went below 90 degrees with a/c on max and full fan. when temps climb much above 90, there is little comfort in my car. i run freeze-12, stock deck condenser, stock r/d, stock non-barrier hoses, stock evaporator, sanden compressor. system was charged about a month ago..i either have a leak or my current system is simply too taxed at 100 degrees ambient.
ryan

[dmk42]

bigchillcar,
It was running fine on fan setting 2 or 3 and just quit totally, and wouldn't restart.

It's almost as hot here in StL. I haven't measured the temps. but the a/c which is working as well as ever makes it tolerable, no better.

[bigchillcar]

dmk42,
yeah i hear ya there..tolerable describes mine most of the time, but 100 degrees is just too much unless i upgrade to a more efficient condenser (or two WITH fans), barrier hoses, new r/d or procooler. a 'cool grand' would probably make my car tolerable up to 100 degrees..
ryan

[ruf-porsche]

That is one of the reason why I brought my PORSCHE. The LOTUSES were just intolerable to drive when it got over 80 degrees. When it gets intolerable in my PORSCHE I just drive the Bimmer Touring (they don't call it a wagon), or the wife Audi. The Audi is cold enough. to hang meat in there. Who says Germans can't design a decent A/C system for a car?

[bigchillcar]

Who says Germans can't design a decent A/C system for a car?

apparently most can who begin with a front-engined, water-cooled car design..
ryan