Official AC Thread

ckm1915 · Post by **ckm1915** » 09 May 2008, 19:10

yep - car was running and the a/c was running full blast. I can't remember exactly what the reading was (it's been a week or more) but the needle was a quarter the way in the red zone on the gauge. thanks.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 May 2008, 19:19

Wow...then you need to discharge some until it's down to 45psi at the very most, and probably a bit lower actually.

Diesels_n_Poker · Post by **Diesels_n_Poker** » 28 Jun 2008, 21:54

All right! Another person with the same problem as I.
(sorry, it's my first post and THANKS to Matt for creating this forum)

My AC system does not work. The 20 second blinking lights on the ECC are present. When I go AUT/AUT/AC ON the compressor clutch visibly engages but no cold air although I do have ambient air blowing from the vents. No condensation either.

I evacuated the system with a quality vacuum pump, vac is good. I recharged with R-134 with engine running, low pressure switch closed on command and compressor engaged BUT...

Even though the compressor "engaged" there is NO PRESSURE DROP when compressor runs or not. This was adding coolant to an evacuated system. It was only an 18 ounce bottle and very little gas added until the low pressure port shows 50 psi.

Compressor is not compressing.

The QUESTION: CAN a compressor clutch appear to actuate but NOT acutally turn the compressor?

Either the pig (95 850 GLT sedan non-turbo) has a blown compressor or a clog. What do you fine people believe to be?

Sure would have been swell to have a high pressure port on this vehicle...

Thanks in advance!

-Jim

Diesels_n_Poker · Post by **Diesels_n_Poker** » 28 Jun 2008, 23:48

Didn't fix the compressor yet but finally got to read and clear the faults on the ECC:

417 remained after initial reset. Removed passenger side handle and cleaned the lint out of the fan and ALL GOOD!!! No more active faults on the ECC, just no cold air.

This forum rules...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jun 2008, 09:03

I think you have a clog...I would say the expansion valve (aka: orifice tube) is suspect. These do clog especially if "stop leak" was used in the A/C (one of the many reasons to avoid using this stuff). Do you know if your system ever had stop leak added? Here is the part in question: http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... gory_id/70
Some of these expansion valves are "self adjusting" and cost a bit more- You'll need to find out which one your car takes if you go to replace it.

Diesels_n_Poker · Post by **Diesels_n_Poker** » 29 Jun 2008, 11:55

Thanks for the prompt reply MIJ!

I am sure the system was exposed to stop-leak at some point in it's life. The 850 is a hand-me-down from the original owners and they added a can or so each year without issue. Probably just collected enough atmosphere over the years until it now.

You guys do a hell of job helping us DIYers keeping our soccer-mom-mobiles on the road; thanks again!

Diesels_n_Poker · Post by **Diesels_n_Poker** » 04 Jul 2008, 14:31

New adjusting (less than 105) expansion valve installed. The old valve had a bunch of dry black crap on it. Evac'd to hi-vac for an hour and recharged.

No change. The compressor ain't sucking. No cold air.

The clutch pulls in like it should and responds to the pressostat.

Compressor/drier time!!!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Jul 2008, 13:07

New adjusting (less than 105) expansion valve installed. The old valve had a bunch of dry black crap on it. Evac'd to hi-vac for an hour and recharged.

If the orifice tube was clogged I would anticipate that the accumulator/filter/drier is also clogged. I would go after that one next.

Be sure to add an appropriate amount of PAG oil.

...Lee

Diesels_n_Poker · Post by **Diesels_n_Poker** » 06 Jul 2008, 11:56

Absolutely! New drier is next (would have been done with the orifice but the closest shop with one in stock was 50 miles too far away).

Seeing all that wondrous trash in the HP line has also inspired me to pull and flush all the AC lines I can conventiently get to.

91% IPA: gotta love it...

branlock · Post by **branlock** » 11 Jul 2008, 16:20

I am new to this forum butI have found that I have a problem that is NOT new. I have read all the A/C posts in this thread and see that I am not alone. I do not think there has been a follow up to this mysterious problem yet. My 1999 V70 XC wagon will suddenly stop cooling, usually after an acceleration or braking occurrence. Usually also happens on hotter days (go figure)

If I turn off the power to the climate control and then turn it back on, it will blow ice cubes again. I want to make sure it is clear that I have a good charge of freon and it is not leaking. When it works, it REALLY works and blows colder than any of my cars I have, but then it shuts down completely until I do a power cycle. Boy it gets hot after 5 mins of no A/C in the summer!! On some mornings, or LONG drives, it will work properly for hours. It see,s to get worse later in the day. If anyone has found something to help, I would appreciate a reply to this post. BTW I already have a replacement climate control unit I got from dalvage and havenot tried it yet. I have been considering replacing the LOW and/or HIGH side pressure switches. I also read on another forum about changing a cable connection on the compressor that makes it work better in tropical climates? I am in FL. Any ideas?