Im trying to repair my a/c… I haven’t figured out what wrong with it becaue I just got the car.
I trying to figure out all the components of the a/c just in case I have to replace everything.
Do you know what parts I would need besides a/c compressor/clutch , condenser, a/c lines… Is there anything else I need before I take it to a mechanic to have him install my parts. Any help is appreciated. How big of a job is it to try to get the a/c going. All I know is it blows hot air.
Is it very costly to repair if I buy all of the parts?
is the belt still on and at the proper tension? does the a/c light come on when you hit the button? is there still refrigerant in the system?
don’t buy any parts until you/they’ve found the problem. a number of things could cause this symptom. a blown fuse, blocked condenser, condenser fan not engaging, leak in the system, etc…
let the mechanic find the problem. aside from the obvious possible causes without, at the very least, a pair of pressure gauges with the correct r-12 fittings attached, it may be difficult to diagnose.
Thans I appreciate it. So are you saying if I don’t buy anything and I take it to a mechanic, do you think the problem could be hard to diagnose.
I know theres numerous posibilities. Hopefull it’s no too labor intense.
if you take it to a relatively competent mechanic, the problem should take under an hour to diagnose. no matter what it is. an a/c system isn’t all that complex.
Most common cause of A/C failure is low/no refrigerant, to test, remove cap off service ports, , if no quickly press schrader valve, [like a tire valve]… http://www.acschradervalves.com/products.html if no pressure, system is empty, it may also just be low.
Find A/C clutch relay, remove it an jump the in/out terminals to see if clutch engages, if so reinstall relay and find pressure switch, [two blue/red leads] unplug the switch and test the leads one should go to ground when blower switch is turned on, [any speed] and test as 12V+ when switch is off and ign. switch is on, grounding that lead will turn on the A/C light, if ign. switch is on.
If the above is good so is A/C switch and wiring to A/C pressure switch, now start engine and use a paper clip, [or the like] to jump the A/C pressure switch plug, [two blue/red leads] does A/C compressor clutch engage?
If so A/C refrigerant is low or empty.
The problem is your system is R12, [no longer available] you should have system retrofitted to the new R134a refrigerant system, around $500 for a shop to do it.
That should include, removal of compressor to drain oil, flush the system to remove any oil, new O rings, new filter/dryer, new oil, [Ester oil] R134a service ports and a recharge, R134a refrigerant my not be included. 94