I HATE MY AIR CONDITIONER! (plea for help)

James_TX · 08-26-2002, 05:53 PM

Grrrrr I am about to rip my hair out. 100+ outside during the day and 80 at night...

Ok here is my check list of things to check

Air Switch (seems ok)
Fuse (Current running)
Relay (on fuse box ok)
Relay (in compartment in trunk)*

*This gets really hot. The red wire out of it is scorched.

Is it safe to say its the relay? How can I check this?

Can anyone please help me!

1000 thank you's for any help.

James

PS. I am mechanically challenged, please be nice.

Mike Miller · 08-26-2002, 07:53 PM

What year is your car? Whats your problem? Is it blowing hot air? Is it not cold enough? Is it intermitant?

Mike Miller 89 911

stuartj · 08-26-2002, 10:23 PM

You'll get some more help if you can provide some more deatils .

But, heres the the thing. Even when it works, its useless.

Mine works great in winter.

Just another 911 quirk. ]

stuart 87 carrera

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

The A/C system is really a very, very basic system. There's an overview in 101 Projects that will get you started...

Do you have coolant in the system?

-Wayne

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 05:04 AM

Sorry its a 77 930

It does nothing. When I turn the switch it just sit there and stares at me. If I listen carefully I think I can hear it call me names.

I know its pretty much useless but here anything is better than nothing. Oh how I desire cold air!

Yes it has coolant it was charged just before I got it.

Thanks everyone!

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

Does the compressor run when you turn on the A/C? Have someone look in the engine compartment when you start the A/C. If not, make sure that power is going to the unit. If power is going to it, you may have to remove it and get it professionally fixed.

If the A/C compressor does start, then you must have some problem with the lines running to the passenger compartment.

expat · 08-27-2002, 05:16 AM

Haven't got answers to all your questions but...

If the wire is getting hot check for resistance somewhere. As an example so of the guys here led me thru the same problem (hot wire) which turned out to be the blower on the front condensor (luggage compartment. It was blowing air ( a fair amount I thought!) but when I pulled it out to look at it I found the motor wasn't spinning freely. I put some motor oil on the drive shaft and that loosened it up considerably and cooled the wire way down.

However I am now searching for a new motor (for the blower) as its 15 years old and still does not spin as easily as it should. I can hear it slightly grinding which I believe is slowing it down, causing resistance causing heat in the wire - so I am led to believe.

This example might serve as a resaon for your hot wire - no blower at all (either the front one like mine or the one in the smugglers box.

I'm no twit in this area, rather.... mostly useless, but I hope this might help.

Cheers
Mark

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 05:21 AM

The conpressor doesnt start. In the same compartment is the relay for the conpressor (I believe) where the wire was scorched.

Could this be the problem?

Is there a way to test it?

Kemo · 08-27-2002, 05:21 AM

i feel your pain...my ac compressor makes all kinds of noises and drags the engine down to almost a stall. It is the old style York i think...i am in the process of collecting the parts and such to upgrade to the Nippondenso unit. After the AC fix...i might finally start saving for the paint job! I dont have a good answer for you right now, but I should after i perform this upgrade. I'm definitely not an expert at this, but, I always thought that when you supplied power ( or maybe connect the ground ) the a/c compressor clutch would engage and start compressing and moving the coolant thru the system. It sounds to me like your a/c clutch is not engaging. Im assuming that you are getting air blown into to the cabin and its just not cold. You should hear a distinctive "click" when the clutch engages. I think its pretty much the same with all cars. Mine is so bad, some times the belt spins around the collar! Currently, i dont even have the belt hooked up. I'm in Dallas too (plano) and i definitely understand your need for a/c! Who knows, maybe the Dallas area Pelican Heads need to have an A/C workshop.

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 05:31 AM

hehe nice to see people close by!

As to the blowing... none of that going on. When I turn the nob, nothing.

expat · 08-27-2002, 05:36 AM

Yeah thats why I think your blower is the problem. The compressor just looks after the coolness, but no air at all leads me to think the blower is a problem.

Mark

expat · 08-27-2002, 05:37 AM

Does the clutch engage on the compressor when you turn the knob?

Kemo · 08-27-2002, 05:39 AM

Im also guessing you have a similar a/c switch like mine...the "dial" type. If you turn the dial to start the a/c and you hear the compressor click...that is good. It sounds like your blower motor is the problem. Hopefully everything is working except the part about moving incomming air across the evaporator into the cabin. im not exactly sure where the blower motor is...but im sure its in the front!

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by expathk
Does the clutch engage on the compressor when you turn the knob?

Nope. Nothing at all.

I had someone in the trunk while I tested the knob. No clicks, tick, pings, bings etc... silence.

expat · 08-27-2002, 05:48 AM

So I assume your blower motor is in the smugglers box in the luggage compartment...flip open the lid and see if the motor is spinning....go on....go now.......I'm waiting

Kemo · 08-27-2002, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James_TX

No clicks, tick, pings, bings etc... silence.

Well...since both the blower and the compressor clutch are activated from a common source, the knob... the likely hood of the blower motor and the clutch dying simutaneously seems low.
Im changing my diagnosis to the knob!

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by expathk
So I assume your blower motor is in the smugglers box in the luggage compartment...flip open the lid and see if the motor is spinning....go on....go now.......I'm waiting

This is where the relay wire is scorched. Inside the smugglers bay there is a relay, with I think about 3-5 wire going into it. The red one is scorched. Its labeled Bosch 12v 40 amp

If the knob were bad would there still be a current through the Fuse?

Kemo · 08-27-2002, 05:56 AM

im hoping someone on the board will have a wiring diagram...

expat · 08-27-2002, 06:11 AM

God...comeon anyone else....this is like the blind leading the blind.

I've only got a Bentley for 84-89. I see the wiring but what I'm interested in is if the blower is blowing? Do you hear the motor spinning at all?

James_TX · 08-27-2002, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by expathk
I see the wiring but what I'm interested in is if the blower is blowing? Do you hear the motor spinning at all?

No. The blower doesnt come on. Nothing at all.