A/C fuse keeps blowing during recharge

[83SC in PA]

I was getting my A/C recharged today with R12 and after 32 ounces were in the system the compressor cut off(didn't freeze). My capillary hose was broken so we had the back of the thermostat switch jumpered temporarily so the compressor would run and we could charge it. I checked the fuse block and the fuse had blown. Took the jumpers off the back of the thermostat. Replaced fuse and it blew as soon as I turned the key to the on position. Obviously something is shorted or ??? Was blowing ice cold and the compressor was not getting hot. Should I get the new thermo switch and capillary hose and try again? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[R22tech]

What were the pressures during the re-charge? If the head pressure was too high, that may cause the compressor to draw enough amperage to blow the fuse. If the pressures were o.k.-obviously you have an electrical issue and it would need to be checked by a technician with a meter to determine where the short is.

[83SC in PA]

The head pressure was 125. If the inline fuse for the aux cooler fan was blown, could this be the cause? I'll check that when I get home today. Thanks for your reply.

[83SC in PA]

Does anyone know if the A/C temp switch comes with the capillary tube connected or if they are 2 distinct parts. My assumption is that the tube would have to be part of the switch but you know what happens when you assume.

[nhromyak]

I believe the a/c fuse goes to the A/C compressor, fornt evaporator blower motora and the front condensor blower motor (in front of the battery). I would check the front blower motor for proper operation.

Good Luck.



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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

[83SC in PA]

This is getting really frustrating. It seems like the fuse blows before the key is even in the 'on' position where the fuel pump comes on. I turn the key to the right maybe 1/16 of an inch and pop, fuse blows! The car starts and runs OK and all the other accessories work OK. I checked the relay(swapped in a new one) and it checks out. I tried several different combinations where I unhooked the power to the compressor, checked the 7.5 fuse in the harness for the front aux cooling fan, etc. Looked for the obvious. Can anyone tell me what to test with my voltmeter? I'm trying to solve this logically, but I am a failure to this point. Is there something else on the compressor I should check other than the wiring? Or anywhere else in the system? Is this a symptom of a bad ground? Sorry to ramble, just wanting to solve this conundrum. Thanks for your help.

[R22tech]

You have a dead short to ground somewhere in the circuit if it blows that quickly! If you keep trying it you are going to burn the wiring in half, weld contacts closed, and posiibly ruin components. Unfortunately, I don't have any diagrams for your car-this is what you MUST have in order to proceed any further. If you can read 'em yourself and understand them, then I see no reason why you couldn't find the short and make the repair. Try a post to "Early S Man", Warren, he has sveral diagrams and may be able to post them for you, or better yet, e-mail them. Good luck and please stop the guessing approach. BTW-have you replaced the thermostat with the bulb sensor(cold control) yet?