ac help
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
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ac help
i bought my 94 quite a few years ago and the ac has never worked. I understand if the system is low on freon the compressor will not turn on. Is this correct? I'm thinkin about buyin the 30 dollar charge kit at advance. I have never done this before and am able to read and follow directions. I just wonder if there is something I should check befor I buy. Any input out there?
Old, but not too old
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 1
From: Central Mississippi
Not being experienced in this type of repair should tell you that you need professional service. While a low charge will definitely keep the compressor from engaging, just adding refrigerant and not knowing how much is in there can cause problems also. You need to get someone at a shop with some gauges check it out. Or at least buy your own gauges and study up on a/c. Just winging it will probably not work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Throwing a "Death Kit" at it is a recipe for disappointment. You cannot fix a long dead AC system for $30. If it's leaked down and sat empty for a long time, figure $400 minimum at a shop. If the compressor has failed internally, triple that figure.
Check out www.autoacforum.com . Read the FAQs and check out the posts in the Forum. Then decide if you want to try and tackle it.
AC repair isn't hard, but it takes a bit of knowledge (and guidance the frist time or 2). It's also a system that isn't forgiving of shortcuts.
There's some special tools that you must have (buy, rent, borrow, steal...) to even consider doing it correctly. Most can be rented from your local chain parts store, or you can buy a "starter set" for $300-400.
It sounds like quite a bit, but it will pay for itself on the second AC repair that you do, like on the wifes/girlfriends/ kids/neighbors car.
Check out www.autoacforum.com . Read the FAQs and check out the posts in the Forum. Then decide if you want to try and tackle it.
AC repair isn't hard, but it takes a bit of knowledge (and guidance the frist time or 2). It's also a system that isn't forgiving of shortcuts.
There's some special tools that you must have (buy, rent, borrow, steal...) to even consider doing it correctly. Most can be rented from your local chain parts store, or you can buy a "starter set" for $300-400.
It sounds like quite a bit, but it will pay for itself on the second AC repair that you do, like on the wifes/girlfriends/ kids/neighbors car.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
You can check for pretty sure that it just needs a charge by jumping out the low pressure switch for just a second or two to see if the compressor clutch engages. The switch is usually located on the passenger side of the engine next to the firewall mounted on a black 'container'. Remove the electrical plug and with a wire, jumper across the 2 contacts on the connector body with the engine running, and if the compressor clutch works, you'll hear it kick on. ONLY DO THIS FOR 2 SECONDS OR LESS or you could damage the compressor.
Don't buy the kits at the local stores. LSRX101 is quite right that things will not go well. Also, if the compressor is OK, you probably do have a leak, but if it will hold refrigerant for a year, then you are money ahead in just refilling it once a year instead of fixing it, as that will cost big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
There is sealant material you can put in your refrigerant system to seal small leaks, but I've tried them twice with an R12 system, and neither worked. AZ used to sell them.
Don't buy the kits at the local stores. LSRX101 is quite right that things will not go well. Also, if the compressor is OK, you probably do have a leak, but if it will hold refrigerant for a year, then you are money ahead in just refilling it once a year instead of fixing it, as that will cost big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
There is sealant material you can put in your refrigerant system to seal small leaks, but I've tried them twice with an R12 system, and neither worked. AZ used to sell them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
Do you know how many times a compressor seems OK when it isn't. Just because it comes on doesn't make it a good compressor. Compressors wear out, they LEAK at the front seal. IN FACT MOST LEAKS ON OLDER UNITS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF COMPRESSOR SEALS. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THEM IS REPLACE THEM. REPLACING A PUMP SEAL IS A HIT & MISS DEAL. IF SEALS LEAK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE A BEARING, BUSHING, OR SHAFT BEHIND THE SEAL IS BAD. Listen to lsrx101 he knows his stuff.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
Not sure who you're responding to but if it's me, YES I KNOW EXACTLY ABOUT MVAC ITEMS.
I WORK ON THEM ALL THE TIME, INCLUDING, AND MOSTLY, INDUSTRIAL APPS. It's my job 60 HOURS A WEEK. Probably worked on 20 DIFFERENT COMPRESSORS SINCE MONDAY. A 94 compressor should be good. If it was 74, I might question it.
If you weren't replying to me, then ignore this.
and STOP YELLING!
I WORK ON THEM ALL THE TIME, INCLUDING, AND MOSTLY, INDUSTRIAL APPS. It's my job 60 HOURS A WEEK. Probably worked on 20 DIFFERENT COMPRESSORS SINCE MONDAY. A 94 compressor should be good. If it was 74, I might question it.
If you weren't replying to me, then ignore this.
and STOP YELLING!
Last edited by 2000Ford2000; Jul 28, 2007 at 07:43 PM.
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