Help With A/C Problem
 

I began today upgrading my a/c with a Griffith kit and ran into two problems. First in changing out the fan speed control for Griffith's variable speed unit I have no power to the hot lead. Fuse is okay, so maybe the relay? This site sells the a/c relay but not the blower relay. Second issue is when I removed the evaporator box the blower motor did not spin freely. Probably took a couple pounds of pressure to turn it. I see I can buy a motor from Pelican but I can't get the fan off the motor shaft. There doesn't appear to be a cap on the end so I'm not certain how the fan's attached.
Any ideas? I've done a search on the subject with no luck.
Thanks,

You can either trouble shoot the circuit forwards or backwards.
Try forwards:

1) In the trunk, fuse panel, fuse position #2, check for power on both sides of the fuse, if fuse is shot replace it (25 amp, blue), while your here make sure the wires are clean and tight in their terminal scews, if fuse is good, then:
2) In smuggler's box on RH side ("RH" is considered when you sit in the car; hence passenger's side) is the AC relay. There are terminal numbers printed on it. Check for power coming into it at terminal 30 which is probably a solid RED wire. If you don't have power coming in the problem could be a break in the wire between it and fuse #2. If you do have power, then:
3) Turn on ignition switch to 'accessory position'. Check the AC relay for power coming out its terminal 87 which should be a RED/White wire. If you don't have power coming out the relay could be shot. Replace it with a common AC relay 25 or 30 amps, you don't need a relay with a fuse built in and you don't want a 15 amp relay, you want a 25 to 30 amp relay. These types of relays are very common and be found is most retail auto parts stores if you need to get one quickly, just bring in the old relay so they can match the terminal numbers.
If the relay is good or if you have replaced it, then:
4) Check for power at the old evaporator blower motor switch plug (where you have the issue presently) at the solid RED wire with ignition key in accessory on position.

Refer to factory AC schematics.

If the evaporator motor's fan was hard to turn chances are its toast or the plastic fan blade is rubbing on flat portion of the housing. If you want to continue to use your existing blower assembly (box top, blower wheel) you'll need a Bosch motor available here from the host, or you could use the Kuehl Hurricane motor (available here from the host) however you'd need to back date the box top to a pre 86 version (up through 1985: box top, blower wheel and motor platform).

I'll be toying in the shop with my cab's famous seat switches today if you need to help.

Griff

Griff,
How do you work a voltmeter? ;-)
Thanks for your response. I'll check the fuse and relay this morning. Any ideas on getting the fan off the motor?
If I could get an old style evaporator box top quickly, and at a decent price, I would probably go for your Huricane motor. Anyone?

Pick yourself up a simple 'test' light: funky ice pick with a light in the handle and long cord with alligator clip; comes in handy for lot's of things!

86+ plastic blower wheel typically "pressed off" using a press, if you buy a replacement OE motor or the Kuehl Hurricane from the host we can help you.

Pre-86 used evap box top's with guts: used parts board here on Pelican, Rennlist's used parts forum, the typical used P salvage yards in no order of preference:
Oklahoma Foreign, D.C. Auto, Nine A Part, etc.

Kidding about the voltmeter, since a battery replacement it's my new best tool.
The fuse at the a/c relay was bad. I now have power at the switch lead. No joy with the fan removal this am.
I've got my Saturday morning chores now for a couple hours before I get back to this. And Griff, you're right about following instructions. So far everything's been straightforward because of your direction.
Thanks again!

Griff,
I got the fan pulled from the motor and a replacement ordered--just the standard model.
Finished the evaporator install shy of buttoning it up until the motor shows up. My son showed up to finish the evap work and start on the hoses. Removed all the hoses and the front condenser then installed three hoses--rear condenser to front, front condenser to dryer and evaporator to dryer. At that point we ran out of gas and called it a day. Should finish up what we can Monday evening and I'll complete the job on Wednesday when the motor arrives.
Instructions have been great and everything's gone well (but very dirty!).
Thanks for your help.