1995 850 Turbo What's Next Here?

Ed3349 · Post by **Ed3349** » 29 Jul 2008, 18:57

Having trouble with A/C not functioning. Worked fine, compressor died, compressor replaced, no A/C at all. Connected compressor directly to battery and it did kick on so I know it works. I've read the A/C thread and finding lots of info but none of it's working for me. Cannot find the problem. Read today to try and jump compressor at the low pressure switch. Did that....nothing. Replaced A/C relay under glove compartment and that shorted out. Any ideas???? Put yourself under the hood of my car and tell me exactly what you would do in this situation. Thanks for any help. It sure is appreciated.

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 29 Jul 2008, 19:24

Can you elaborate on the a/c relay 'shorting out'. What do you mean -- you replaced the relay, turned the car on, hit the a/c button and -- relay melts into a smoking chunk of plastic? Or what?

-Chuck

Ed3349 · Post by **Ed3349** » 29 Jul 2008, 19:45

When I removed old relay, it was a bit melted. Replaced it, turned car on, turned A/C on then a loud buzz, then nothing. Because the system is not working, I have no idea what went wrong or why.

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 29 Jul 2008, 19:56

Well, I think you need to do a postmortem on the relay. They can be bench tested. Put 12VDC across the control leads and the switching leads ought to either show continuity or open (and of course 'click' on and off as you apply/remove control current).

So, if the relay really did get cooked then something downstream is asking for way too much current. I'd take a close look at the wiring into the compressor/clutch circuit. Is the positive lead shorted to the bracket? Wire get pinched between the bracket/mounting bolt?

IIRC, this circuit is also fused so I'm a bit surprised that the relay is taking the punishment for this. Make sure the correct value fuse is in that slot.

You said that you wired directly to the compressor to get the clutch to engage, so it sounds like nothing internal to the compressor is shorted, so the problem is most likely the external wiring between the compressor and that relay.

-Chuck

Ed3349 · Post by **Ed3349** » 29 Jul 2008, 20:44

I will get on this within the next few days. My work schedule has been crazy and I don't see any free time for a few days. I'm impressed with your knowledge and very thankful for your help!! I'll post the results as soon as I can. Hope you'll keep following my post.

IIRC, this circuit is also fused so I'm a bit surprised that the relay is taking the punishment for this. Make sure the correct value fuse is in that slot.

At the risk of sounding dumb, what does IIRC mean? I'm sure I should know this but I'm new at all of this.

Thanks, again, for your help. Hope I can get to the bottom of this problem.

Post by **Sperry** » 29 Jul 2008, 20:48

IIRC is short for "If I remember correctly", IIRC.

People with multiple personalities say "IWRC".

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jul 2008, 20:52

Sort of like, "I'm schizophrenic and so am I?"