1997 850NA - A/C complete empty

[dejongmc]

My A/C compressor has a small leak and during the winter I didn't use my A/C at all, so now I found out it is completely empty. It doesn't cycle at all.

I remember that I have to short wire some connector near the firewall in order to be able to charge the system again. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

[abscate]

It won't turn on if ambient temperature is under 32F.

On US cars the switch to be jumped is on the passenger side near the firewall. First electrical connector on the two steel AC lines coming forward out of the firewall, which then dive down forward to the rest of the AC system. I believe jumping it here will work on pre 99 cars in cold weather, but not 99 on, where this is a logic sensor input.


If your system drains completely in 6 months, it has a big leak.

If the system is leaky, putting cans of a Freon in it:

1 is bad for Mother Earth

2 is bad for you and your pocket book when your compressor locks up with corrosion.

Brace yourself for the evaporator replacement job.

[rspi]

You can put leak detector in the system when servicing to find the leak.

You should NOT have to jump the system. It should turn itself on once the system is charged to a certain level. It will kick on while servicing.

[Ozark Lee]

If the ambient temperature is low it can be tough to get the R-134A to flow. Sticking the can in a pan of warm water can help. You can jumper the low pressure switch but if the system is completely empty that is dangerous since the PAG oil won't circulate properly.

...Lee