Need A/C!
 

I was driving with the A/C on the other day (although the A/C has not been working for about a year or more).

I had the button on and I noticed my battery had more drain than normal (hand was lower). I turned off the button and the hand went back to its regular place.

So, the button was replaced last fall (the original reason for no A/C). Now i'm pretty sure that the button is fine.

When I turn on the A/C I can hear a little "tssss" sound.

Does this sound like it needs a recharging?

Anyone else experience this?

PS: I know this topic has been beaten to death.

If there is more battery drain than normal, you probably need a new clutch. The clutch is an electromagnet with a long winding of fine wire in it. The wire is insulated by a coating. In time the coating disintegrates and the wire shorts on itself effectively shortening its length. Because it is shorter there is less resistance so more current passes and it also gets hotter. It's a vicious circle. You might need a new clutch.

Check the resistance of the clutch. Engine off. Place ohm meter on lead to clutch (there is a plug in about 1 foot away) and the other on the compressor. You should read anywhere from 3 to 5 ohms. If it is less, what I said above holds.

The additional current draw may be due to the fact that both radiator cooling fans are running at high speed, the compressor clutch is energized, and the A/C blower is running.

One thing that may help to reduce the voltage drop is cleaning your battery terminals, alternator connections, and ground connections.

The drop in battery power is minimal. I just noticed that the battery hand was slightly lower than usual. I had the battery replaced a couple of months ago so it caught my eye.

The hissing noise is probably normal. What year and model is your car?

It's an 85 late 944.

Scott R or Wolf1 are more qualified to answer this. I have never worked on a 944 but you should have a sight glass on the receiver/dryier. Its a round glass window about the size of a large pencil eraser. If you can see alot of large bubles then the charge is low.