Yet another A/C question....

[Monza_dh]

Yes, I have searched and read almost all the A/C posts but I still have a question. How loud and for how long is the clicking everyone talks about on the ccompressor to be sure its working??

The PO upgraded my '88 to a R134a system with hoses and a rec dryer. Preparing to recharge, I cleaned and lubed the blower fans, installed a fuse on the front one, bought pressure gages, hoses, refrigerent and waited for the 90 degree day to charge.

After getting this all set my Nippon compressor refuses to register any pressure and will not take a charge. The fuse and belt are fine with no strange noises but no clicking either.

Would it and could it be only the clutch? What is the tell tale sign a bad compressor above and beyond the clutch?

[Barrpete]

The clicking will be pretty quick and distinct when the clutch kicks in, although you might not hear it if your sitting in the cabin. Have someone else turn it on while you have the decklid open. And you only need to have the ignition on, engine does not have to be running. If it's working you will definetely hear it.

If it doesn't kick check the voltage to the compressor. If it's less than 12V it could be a bad temperature switch.

[Hester]

A million years ago, in a land far, far away, I worked in a small foreign and domestic auto repair shop. In the summer, I used to do some A/C recharging, mostly on cars from detroit. I used to find the low\pressure switch on the high pressure line, unplug the lead, and jump the two wires on the lead with a paper clip. That would engage the compressor clutch so I could charge the system.

You may be able to run hot and ground leads to the compressor clutch to get it to engage but I do not know for sure, having never serviced a Porsche A/C system before.

Make sure you charge the system as a gas and not a liquid (If you're using a can, hold it straight up, not upside down. You can wrap a rag that is wet with hot water around the can to encourage the refrigerant to evaporate.

Good luck.

[Monza_dh]

Thanks guys. I went back tonight and finally heard the click once the blowere swithc is turned so it is getting power. So if it has power but wont take a charge, then what??

[Hester]

Read this and ask me again...Which is Which: A/C hose

[Monza_dh]

Originally Posted by Hester

Read this and ask me again...Which is Which: A/C hose

Thanks Hester. I hadnt see this post but have read many many others and have the basics down. I guess I was trying to figure out if it wqas just he clutch and or both clutch and compressor. with more reading and looking at the compressor again it looks like the clutch is engaging but the compressor most likely has been running with no oil and or R134a for a few years. My deck lid is new to me and recently painted but the compressor looks to have black soot behind the clutch so it locks like a rebuilt or Sanden is in the cards.

[T77911S]

i am not sure what you mean when you say it will not take a charge.
if by not taking a charge you mean the compressor is not building up preasure, then most likely you have a bad expansion vlave.
you should be able to do an initial charge before you start the car.
if the system was open, you need to pull a vacuum, 2-3 hours at least.

[billybek]

Can you see any pressure?
Gauge set attached properly?
Is there a strange size access port that may need an adapter?