'84 911 A/C stopped blowing

[sneader]

This is my first post... if I'm not doing something right, please let me know!

Purchased my first Porsche last summer, an '84 911 Carrera Cab. It has been relatively trouble-free and I'm having a blast with it!

A/C History: Since it's a Cab, I don't need A/C often, but my wife has long hair and if we are going somewhere important, she prefers the top up and A/C on. Previous owner said A/C non-functional and he didn't care. A/C was blowing and compressor engaging, but no cold air. Last summer I added Freon and BOOM, cold air! I added the kit that redirects the foot vent into a forward-facing vent (great upgrade!) It worked great all season last year. This season, I have noticed an occasional "squeaking" noise when the A/C is on, but it usually goes away quickly.

A/C Problem: Last week, the A/C simply stopped blowing. When I turn the A/C control on, it does engage the compressor, but no air blows out the vent. I am guessing the blower is shot, and opened the smugglers box cover to look around. The relay seems warm. Poked at some of the connectors with a VOM and it seems that the relay is working and power is getting to the blower, but I am not an expert at such things.

Open to suggestions at this point... not sure if I should just order a blower and assume it's shot, or if there are other possibilities?

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

- Scott

[targa80]

The squeaking noise was that coming from the smugglers box? When I tested my evaporator motor it was hard starting and squeaked a little. I took it apart and lubricated the bearings on the motor shaft after that it ran normally.you could disconnect the two pin connector to the evaporator motor in the smugglers box and jumper the motor right off of the battery to see if it turns and blows air. don't keep power on the motor if it does not start immediately, you don't want to fry anything.

[DRACO A5OG]

Welcome aboard, Pic of your Beauty Please

Okay, the squeak is coming from the blower cage, as our cars age, the metal cage loosen and start to rub on itself, you can dismantle and try tightening it or replace the cage and be done with it for the next 20+ years. It would not hurt to lube it and inspect the stator for wear.

You fuse has melted and shrank, test the fuse with your finger I bet it is loose.

Issue is there is resistance in the line and it is causing the fuse to shrink due to heat. The fix would be to replace the fuse panel section #1 and clean all connection to and from the fuse.

You were probably on HIGH when it shrank, I found Medium or low will keep the heat down before I replaced my panel but on occasion on high it will melt it down. You want this to happen so the lines will not heat up too much and cause another issue, fire???

Also make sure your coolant has enough lubricant, the compressor without lube will work harder and heat up the lines.

Hope this helps and keep some fuse ready to go when using the AC.

Jim

[sneader]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

You fuse has melted and shrank, test the fuse with your finger I bet it is loose. Issue is there is resistance in the line and it is causing the fuse to shrink due to heat. The fix would be to replace the fuse panel section #1 and clean all connection to and from the fuse.

Hi Jim! Thanks for the help! Are you talking about the fuse in the fusebox on the driver's side of the bonnet? If so, I have tested the fuse with an Ohm meter and the fuse tests fine. It is not loose in the holder. From the little bit of poking around I did in the smuggler's box, it appears the blower is getting power OK, but just not spinning (but I'd welcome more concrete steps/tests to confirm that)

Thanks again!!

- Scott

[sneader]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Welcome aboard, Pic of your Beauty Please

Oh yes, thanks for asking!

[sneader]

Originally Posted by targa80

you could disconnect the two pin connector to the evaporator motor in the smugglers box and jumper the motor right off of the battery to see if it turns and blows air.

Hi Targa! Thanks for the great suggestion. I disconnected the two-pin connector and, with the A/C engaged, measured the output from the connector and there was 12v present. While I didn't jumper the motor, the fact that there is 12v flowing to the motor when the A/C is engaged indicates the motor tells me that the motor is shot, right?

- Scott