A/C compressor not turning on?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 130
From: Thomasville, GA
A/C compressor not turning on?
When I bought my truck the previous owner said that the A/C needed to be recharged but worked.
I went to turn it on the other day and the compressor isn't even turning on at all...
Any ideas? I checked fuses and all the plugs are seated...
I went to turn it on the other day and the compressor isn't even turning on at all...
Any ideas? I checked fuses and all the plugs are seated...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke, TX
Did you charge it? If not it's probably low. Pull the low refrigerant sensor off the drier and make a jumper for the plug. If the compressor cycles, you are probably low on frig'nt. If you charged it, it could be over charged.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Woodleaf NC
When the charge is just low you will normaly see the clutch cycle off & on, unless it is pretty much dead empty. jumping the switch is a good quick test off the electrical system. if the clutch kicks on, the switch is bad or system is empty. if nothing kicks on, it's time to get electrical. if you find the system is empty, I would suggest vacuuming the system out unless you are just checking for leaks. just pumping freon in will limit the preformance.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Woodleaf NC
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Western NC
When your A/C is low its because it has leaked down. (thank you Mr. obvious 
). You will need to fix it. There are no short cuts.
Best wishes!
B
). You will need to fix it. There are no short cuts.Best wishes!
B
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Woodleaf NC
you should be able to move the front of the clutch (flat plate in front of pulley ) by hand at the least or with a wrench at the most. if it won't turn at all it may mean a locked up compressor.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 41
From: Marble Falls, Texas
One more thing to think about before you call it low on coolant. The connector on top of the a/c compressor at the rear. It's a round 2 pin connector. That is a high fail part. Turn the a/c on max, high fan. Go out and wiggle the crap out of that connector. I bet your compressor will kick on.
If it does, the connection just needs to be cleaned and tightened up. You could take a chance and crimp the female connectors a tad, and hope for the best, you could replace the connector.
I just took the red lock out of the face of the connector, took a few 3/4 inch long strands of wire, bent them in a U shape, and put them in the female end hanging half in and out of the connector. Then reinstall the lock and it will hold the copper strands in place. That one strand of copper will make all the difference in the world, and you shouldn't have any more connection problem. Hope that helps.
If it does, the connection just needs to be cleaned and tightened up. You could take a chance and crimp the female connectors a tad, and hope for the best, you could replace the connector.
I just took the red lock out of the face of the connector, took a few 3/4 inch long strands of wire, bent them in a U shape, and put them in the female end hanging half in and out of the connector. Then reinstall the lock and it will hold the copper strands in place. That one strand of copper will make all the difference in the world, and you shouldn't have any more connection problem. Hope that helps.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 3
From: River Valley AR
Also if the compressor comes on while the low pressure switch is jumpered, don't leave the jumper wire in. It is protecting the compressor because you are low on Freon. No problem to use the jumper for troubleshooting purposes though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 0
i dont mean to hijack your thread but i used this one to diagnose my own ac system that worked last summer but come spring it wasn't working, i jumped the low preasure sensor ac compressor kicked on so i bought some r134a and charged it to 45 psi now the ac works but it doen't seem as cold as it should be. if i bump the idle up to 1000-1500 the preasure drops down lower, my question is what psi should our systems be charged to?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
It goes by weight to determine the charge. Theres a sticker under the hood that says the refrigerant (r134a) and then it will say the weight.
I don't know the weight off hand
I don't know the weight off hand