It's getting to be that time of year where I would like to not be roasted to death in my car. So, I've gathered the cash to get my A/c working. Here's the story.

My A/c wasn't working when I bought the car. The belt was not on the compressor. I bought the belt, put it on, and charged the car. The compressor screamed like a little girl and did not put out cold air. Obviously the reason the belt wasn't on was because the compressor was locking up.

So I went to Autozone and bought the cheapest compressor I could, which was $179.99 and remanufactured. Took the old one off, put the new one on, and oiled it up and charged it. The A/C was cold, but it would not work at all at times, and other times it would lurch the car pretty heavily. Like it was putting an extra load on the engine. So I took it back to Autozone, paid the difference, and purchased a new compressor. Down 80 bucks for the compressor, and $40 for the refrigerant and compressor oil.

Put this brand new compressor on, oiled it, tensioned the belt, and charged it. Woohoo, no freaking cold air. This one doesn't do anything, no cold air at all, doesn't engage the condensor fan, nothing. I'm out of ideas. Please god someone help me I've already spent like $400 on this A/C system.

 

After you installed the compressor, did you also install a new receiver/dryer and then evacuate the entire system and check for leaks and then recharge the system with the exact refrigerant volume specified in the service manual? If so:

1) What are your current high and low side pressures with the A/C on and the engine idling?

2) Does the condenser fan run when you turn the A/C on? Does the compressor clutch engage?

3) Does the green light in the button illuminate?

 

Thanks for the quick reply man.

No, I did't completely evacuate the system as I don't have a vacuum thing. I discharged the system of course. When adding the refrigerant with A/c on full blast, it sucked up about half the bottle, but then stopped about 3/4 of the way.

In answer to the other questions: I only have a gauge with the low side, which is incredibly high, I would assume it would be low on the high side indicating a faulty compressor.

The condensor fan does not turn on, as well as the clutch does not engage.

The light does turn on, yes.

 

Obviously you have air and moisture in the system = very bad.

Take the car to a shop to have the refrigerant recovered, the receiver/dryer replaced, the system evacuated and leak checked, and then recharged to spec. Then go from there.

 

^^ Agreed. It will cost you another compressor if you don't. Since you don't have the right equipment at home to do it, go have it done professionally. Sometimes it's better just to eat the cost. Price of owning a car, I'm afraid.

 

rent out a vacuum pump from autozone and use it to vacuum your a/c lines. now, if the clutch doesn't engage while charging freon, then you can do the following:

the compressor has this positive wire which is connected to the pressure switch. this is located in the condenser fan. unplug this wire. tap a long wire (long enough so it can be tapped to your battery positive terminal) and have someone hold it. start the car, turn on a/c and put to max. while it is set like that, have the person holding the wire to tap the wire to the battery's positive terminal. this should engage the compressor clutch. do this for like 10 mins. then turn off the engine.

remove the wire you tapped and then connect the compressor's positive wire to the pressure switch. see if the compressor will now engage.

 

took my car to the a/c specialist shop today actually (i dont screw with a/c systems so i let the guys who know it do it) ....heres a lesson i learned....dont EVER put sealer in your a/c system....the previous owner of my car must have and a/c died on me...but due to the sealer, the compressor, evap filter, & air dryer all need to be replaced and they have to flush the whole system till all the sealer is gone....950$ total....and they are not even sure if that will fix it because they havent leak tested it yet cause it isnt done....

 

Did you get your a/c fixed?