1976 A/C removal - temperature probe in evaporator

[93nav]

Factory air conditioning in a 1976 S.

In the smugglers box, on the temperature sensing probe going into the evaporator, can I just pull the probe out of the housing cover, or do I need to deal with the 'clips' and remove the housing cover first? I tried pulling on the probe a little, but it did not move.

I have the vents inside the cabin all unhooked except for this probe which goes thru the ducts to the smugglers box. I am taking the vents out now, and will probably remove all the a/c at a later date.

[Jcslocum]

It's probably clipped in there in some way to keep it from vibrating and wearing a hole in something or itself. Who know really.

I have a 76 that we will be fixing the a/c in. If you want to sell some of the interior stuff, let me know.

SlocumjonATgmailDOTcom

[93nav]

JC, I plan on keeping all the parts for possible reinstall at a later date.

Still need to know how to remove the probe. From what I have read on these forums and looking at evaporator, there is a brass sleeve that that probe fits into, can I pull on that? or pull on the probe itself? Will using some sort of lubricant help. A/C is all original near as I can tell.

Thanks

[gordner]

I pulled it out of my 76, and as I recall I had to remove the housing cover to fully get the probe out. the clips are simple, just pop off with a common screw driver and then (forgive my fuzzy memory) the probe was simple to release.I got mine out fully intact.

[kuehl]

The sealed aluminum thermostatic probe is simply inserted into through the top of evaporator box and into the fins between the tubes in the evaporator. "Usually" the probe had a brass sleeve with it, the probe inserted into the brass sleeve and the sleeve with probe goes into the fins of the evaporator.

You can gently pull the probe or probe with sleeve directly out, BUT be careful not to bend or break the aluminum probe because it is a thin wall tube filled with refrigerant gas (the gas expands and contracts) and it is crimped sealed on the end. If you break it you will need to a new one.

Discussed here

[93nav]

Thanks guys, I will try gently pulling the probe out, and if that does not work, I will take the cover off.

kuehl - I had been to the Griffith website, but had need found the pages you linked to - good info.

[kuehl]

If you try to remove the evap box top while it is in the car, stuff rags around the perimeter of the box so the 4 metal clips don't go into the the abyss, thread a thin wire through the hole in the clip, slide the clips off carefully or you could break the plastic tabs on the box. PM if you get stuck.