88 AC Compressor Not Turning On
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88 AC Compressor Not Turning On
Hi All - Just picked up an 88 F-150 a couple of weeks ago.
Just wondering if anyone had a clue what I can look at for the compressor on the AC when it won't click on when I move the controller handle in the cab over to AC.
Is there a fuse under the hood possibly that I haven't located yet? I checked the fuse panel in the cab and all was fine there.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Just wondering if anyone had a clue what I can look at for the compressor on the AC when it won't click on when I move the controller handle in the cab over to AC.
Is there a fuse under the hood possibly that I haven't located yet? I checked the fuse panel in the cab and all was fine there.
Thanks for any suggestions!
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Thanks for the info. I will try your trick to see if the compressor runs, but I am not sure what I am looking for here so I can jump the switch. Not much of a gearhead. Just enough to get me in trouble and interested. Thanks Again!
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It is a really bad idea to run your AC system if it is low on refrigerant, don't jump the switch. If you don't know about AC you would have better luck buying a lottery ticket than messing with your AC. Don't get some jackleg to work on it either. I know AC shops are some of the biggest rip-offs, but wait and find someone you can trust that knows how how to fix it without booby-trapping it.
There are recent threads here with better explanations and a lot of bad advice, search.
There are recent threads here with better explanations and a lot of bad advice, search.
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When I said to jump the low pressure switch, I did not mean to run it for 5 minutes. What I meant was for you to jump it, just long enough to make sure the magnetic clutch is working on the compressor. Running the compressor low in freon for a couple seconds is not going to hurt anything. If your low in freon, you can get a 134a retrofit kit complete with dye leak detector, oil charge, 134a freon, and all of the nessecary adaptors for around 30.00 at any auto parts store.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: 13th Colony
I agree with fai, jumping the switch for a few seconds will not hurt the compressor. Actually, you can do it without the engine running. Just turn the ign switch to run and turn the ac on. The AC does not know the engine is not running. Then jump the pressure switch and if the freon is low or the switch is bad, the clutch should click on. You can hear it do so.
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Okay - thanks for the info - but I am a pure rookie...just getting the interest and the tolerance to deal with trucks - - where is this pressure switch and how do I jump it? Thanks.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: 13th Colony
The switch is mounted on the hose going into the Accumulator. The accumulator is the silver aluminum canister that is mounted on the passenger side. It has one hose in and one out. Simply unplug the connector and short between the two sides. That is what the switche does when there is enough pressure in the system.
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I found the part and took off the connector and jumped it with a paperclip and the compressor kicks on....I guess this now means the freon is low?
Any recommendations on switching it over to a 134 system from an R-12?
Thanks again for the help!
Any recommendations on switching it over to a 134 system from an R-12?
Thanks again for the help!
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You will have to remove most all the oil from the R12 system and replace it with ester oil. because mineral oil is not compadable with 134A. Also you will need a vaccum pump to pull a vaccum on the sytem. If you do not have the proper tools, you are probobly better off taking your truck to a trustworthy local garage and have them convert it over to 134A for you.
Good Luck
Good Luck