Morning everyone,

About two days ago my AC just gave up the ghost and quit working. Turns out the Compressor isn't even kicking on. I've already done some searching and tested out jumping the pressure switches (not at the same time) and still nothing. Compressor turns easily by hand with minimal drag that is expected. Fuse 9 good, as the blower wouldn't work either if it were toast.

I've tested for power at each connector and I get nothing. Is there a relay or something that I'm missing that controls voltage to the compressor and drier? I went from nice, cold AC to none in a single day.

The system has a leak somewhere, but it's not a fast enough leak to purge all the freon (yes, I know it's R134a) in a matter of months. I would also still be able to jump the switch and test for clutch engagement even if the system is low.

On the subject of clutch engagement, turning the **** to AC or AC Max is not locking the clutch in place, which is why I don't believe it's getting power whatsoever. What else should I look at?

I plan on refreshing the AC and replacing the evap core, but that was going to be a task for this winter.

 

Fuse 6 supplies power to the A/C compressor clutch

 

Doh! You are right. My knee bolster is missing so I don't have the fuse panel on there. Looked it up online and it said 9. Sure enough, 6 is toaster struddle.

 

Replaced it and I have cold air again. Wonder what caused it to overload and pop. Can just the clutch be replaced? I just checked my pressures and I'm still good, not showing ang sign of freon loss.

 

Yes it can.

 

Yup, found it. Price isn't too bad.

I guess now I need to weigh the pros and cons of just replacing the clutch or refreshing the entire AC system this winter with brand new everything.

I'm just glad it was something I simply overlooked, like the wrong fuse, haha. These last two days on the road with no AC have been grueling.

 

If the fuse don't blow soon, I wouldn't worry too much about replacing the clutch... I've seen fuses die from old age before, not often but it does happen...


BTW If the A/C ain't working the SOB ain't moving around here!!!! I'm too old to go through that crap!!!

 

That's honestly probably what it was. Some days fuses just give up. Happened on my '84 500SE with the ceramic fuses.

This, my Durango, and the Jeep are the only vehicles with working AC. The Jeep doesn't do me any good for work, and my dad drives my Durango daily, so this is all I have. My Mercedes are all for regular commuting stuff in the winter til I get the AC sorted on both of them.

 

So, AC is still cold, but I've a new issue.

All air seems to be blowing predominantly out of the defrost vents. Seems to me as though a vacuum component has failed.

This just started two days ago.

 

First thing I would check is the white vacuum line on top of the A/C box under the hood... It gets brittle with age.... You can replace the bad section with regular rubber vacuum hose..

 

Line broke just above the T-fitting coming from the box. Pled the broken piece and stuck the hard line back in and air flows normal again.

Suppose it's time to replace the hardlines and perhaps some of the rubber vacuum fittings.