Community Forums

Don Bren · 12-01-2006, 09:04 AM

I am experiencing the same problem KBach66 is, I have no cold air. I did some minor troubleshooting and could not find anything so far. I am not getting any voltage to the 2 prong plug going to compressor clutch, thus clutch is not engaging. I am hoping a professional can give some suggestions. I have checked the fuse, substituted a relay of equal value, checked voltage to relay and checked voltage to pressure switch and both give me a 12.5 reading. I took a contunuity check across the pressure switch and did not get any continuity at the prongs. I am not sure if that was the correct way to check the pressure switch or not. I am wondering if I would be low on refrigerant, would that cause me to not get a voltage reading at the compressor clutch? Any suggestions or troubleshooting ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don.

Don Bren · 12-01-2006, 09:04 AM

I am experiencing the same problem KBach66 is, I have no cold air. I did some minor troubleshooting and could not find anything so far. I am not getting any voltage to the 2 prong plug going to compressor clutch, thus clutch is not engaging. I am hoping a professional can give some suggestions. I have checked the fuse, substituted a relay of equal value, checked voltage to relay and checked voltage to pressure switch and both give me a 12.5 reading. I took a contunuity check across the pressure switch and did not get any continuity at the prongs. I am not sure if that was the correct way to check the pressure switch or not. I am wondering if I would be low on refrigerant, would that cause me to not get a voltage reading at the compressor clutch? Any suggestions or troubleshooting ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don.

dieselclacker · 12-01-2006, 10:16 AM

You might try a momentary jump across the pressure switch with a jumper wire, and see if the clutch engages. If it does, you are low on refrigerant.

Dieselclacker

Don Bren · 12-01-2006, 11:17 AM

I did try a jumper across the wire to the pressure switch and did not hear the clutch engage. I was working by myself and was unable to visually see it engage, I assumed I would hear it but I will try it with a helper and have them verify if it is engaging. Thanks for the suggestion.

Don Bren · 12-04-2006, 09:23 AM

I just tried a jumper wire across plug terminals that go to pressure switch and nothing happened, no clutch engagement. I did get a surprise when I installed the jumper, my radiator mounted electric fans turned on, I never expected that to happen. I am wondering if there are any more troubleshooting suggestions that I might try. Thank you, Don

the fixer · 12-04-2006, 10:42 AM

I think you jumpered the incorrect switch,look for a grey one....

Don Bren · 12-04-2006, 10:58 AM

I may have jumpered the wrong one, I think I was just following suggestions. I can't locate a gray one, any idea the location or what it might look like?

Don Bren · 12-04-2006, 11:16 AM

The one I jumpered was attached or screwed into the ac line and it sort of resembles a spark plug. I removed the wire from the top of it, took a voltage reading across the two female openings of 12.6 volts and inserted a jumper wire into the plug I removed from this pressure switch. As I stated befoe I got no action from the compressor clutch but the electric fans went on, to my surprise.

KBach66 · 12-04-2006, 06:28 PM

Don,
I haven't had a chance to do anymore troubleshooting on my system. But I do remember when I checked for voltage at what I believe is the same connection that you're talking about, when I plugged the connector back in the fans came on for a split second....actually startled me a bit

I'll let you know if I find anythine else out once I get a chance to look it over more.

Don Bren · 12-05-2006, 12:39 AM

I also was startled by the fans coming on when I jumpered the switch. I thought it was a coincedence at first cause I had the motor running but after trying the jumper several times the fans came on every time. Iguess I will keep olling and trying different ideas I get from everyone. If get lucky kbach66 I will post my findings. I am thinking I just might try to recharge the system and see if that gets things working again.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 12-05-2006, 04:02 AM

I would suspect the fans would come on when the clutch engages. Especially at low or no rpm. Once the vehicle is moving and plenty of air is moving through the radiator and condenser the fans will shut off. I've noticed in the past when running the dash ac the fans come on a lot more often then without the ac running.

Don Bren · 12-05-2006, 04:48 AM

I agree Bob, it seems that they are connected electrically and it does make sense that they would come on until I get some air flow. It just startled me since I was working about 2 feet from them when they came on.

Don Bren · 12-08-2006, 12:49 AM

I tried some of your suggestions again yesterday. I jumpered the wire plug at the low pressure switch, the one on the 5/8 line between the compressor and ac/ heater box, and clutch did not engage. I removed wire plug at the clutch and got a 13 volt reading. Plugged in again and still no engagement. I also got the electric fans running when I jumpered the plug. I am wondering if this indicates a bad clutch or something else. Any more ideas or suggestions? Thanks, Don.