Legacy AC dead

[Florian Feuser /FFF/]

This is about a 98 Legacy GT Wgn [US].

The air conditioner is dead. No cold air from A/C at all, yet the
control light on the dash lights up.

10A fuse in mail fuse box (engine compartment) is okay. No sounds [
clicks] of AC compressor clutch engaging/disengaging. Both hoses to- and
from A/C compressor feel warm...

I wonder if that sounds like a low-refrigerant condition or a bad AC
compressor/clutch.

The belt is OK, I should add...


florian /FFF/

 

[mulder]

This is about a 98 Legacy GT Wgn [US].

The air conditioner is dead. No cold air from A/C at all, yet the
control light on the dash lights up.

10A fuse in mail fuse box (engine compartment) is okay. No sounds [
clicks] of AC compressor clutch engaging/disengaging. Both hoses to- and
from A/C compressor feel warm...

I wonder if that sounds like a low-refrigerant condition or a bad AC
compressor/clutch.

The belt is OK, I should add...


florian /FFF/

The usual cause when this happens is a loss of refrigerant due to a
leak. Take it to a shop that does AC work and have them put gauges on
it. If the system is empty it will need to be evacuted, leak-tested
and repaired. If it's been empty and exposed to the air for any length
of time the receiver-dryer should be replaced before it is recharged.

 

[Florian Feuser /FFF/]

The usual cause when this happens is a loss of refrigerant due to a
leak. Take it to a shop that does AC work and have them put gauges on
it. If the system is empty it will need to be evacuted, leak-tested
and repaired. If it's been empty and exposed to the air for any length
of time the receiver-dryer should be replaced before it is recharged.

Thanks, mulder -
I was just wondering if that would cause the compressor clutch to not
engage at all anymore. Replacing the entire unit, or at least the
compressor, may not be an option right now, therefore I am trying to
narrow it down BEFORE sinking money into a professional diagnosis.

florian

 

[Jim Stewart]

Thanks, mulder -
I was just wondering if that would cause the compressor clutch to not
engage at all anymore. Replacing the entire unit, or at least the
compressor, may not be an option right now, therefore I am trying to
narrow it down BEFORE sinking money into a professional diagnosis.

It's been a long time so I may be wrong.
When I added freon to my wife's old taurus,
the compressor wouldn't come on until there
was a certain pressure in the system. I
believe the service manual had you hotwire
a pressure switch to get the compressor on
then add the freon.

 

[mulder]

Thanks, mulder -
I was just wondering if that would cause the compressor clutch to not
engage at all anymore. Replacing the entire unit, or at least the
compressor, may not be an option right now, therefore I am trying to
narrow it down BEFORE sinking money into a professional diagnosis.

florian

Yes there is a low-pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor
from running with the system low or empty, so a low or nonexistent
charge will prevent the clutch from engaging at all.
It's unlikely that the compressor itself is bad, although of course
it's possible. Usually a leak is due to a bad seal at one of the
fittings, or impact damage to the condensor which is in a vulnerable
location being in front of the radiator.

 

[Florian Feuser /FFF/]

Yes there is a low-pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor
from running with the system low or empty, so a low or nonexistent
charge will prevent the clutch from engaging at all.
It's unlikely that the compressor itself is bad, although of course
it's possible. Usually a leak is due to a bad seal at one of the
fittings, or impact damage to the condensor which is in a vulnerable
location being in front of the radiator.

Thanks, guys.
Exactly what I needed to know.


florian /FFF/