[Shotimes] A/C problems

[Leigh Smith]

Steve ;
A/C isn't really all that hard to troubleshoot or repair basic 
mechanical stuff:
 - 2nd person could tell you if clutch clicks or compressor turns when 
engine started
 - tire pressure guage will give you a rough indication of any charge or 
not - it uses bicycle type valves - engine off
- jumper wire or paper clip on pressure cycle switch will run A/C full 
time - to check switch - it's only $15
- unplug cycle switch or connector on compressor to ensure it doesn't 
kick on by accident / error if compressor damaged
- hotwire 12 V to clutch to see if moves or need to kick it with 
broomstick - for "shim" test
- compressor seal was $9 and $5 to install if compressor handed to mechanic
- clutch disc wears badly and is only $45
- shoot a can in and see if it holds pressure for a day or two to check 
for leaks
Once basic mechanics are solid - then proceed with certified A/C shop 
for charge - they will even "uncharge" it for you if you want to work on 
mechanicals

Lee



Steve Tatro wrote:

>I haven't been able to test pressure yet.  I hope to tomorrow.
>
>Black gunk all around the pulley and clutch.  I hope you're wrong on this
>account ;^)
>
>I just posted another message to the list, but since you're up I'll ask you.
>Will it hurt anything for me to continue to drive it if the compressor is
>toast?
>
>Thanks for your reply.
>
>Steve
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Leigh Smith" <leighsm@comcast.net>
>To: "Steve Tatro" <stevetatro@att.net>
>Cc: "SHOtimes" <shotimes@autox.team.net>
>Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 9:56 PM
>Subject: Re: [Shotimes] A/C problems
>
>
>  
>
>>Any pressure at all? When mine blew the compressor seal at about that
>>mileage it died / lost charge overnight. Gunk around pulley sounds right.
>>Lee
>>
>>
>>Steve Tatro wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>What's up.
>>>
>>>Today when I left work, I had no cold A/C.  Hadn't noticed a thing wrong
>>>before, so I'm confused.
>>>
>>>A bit of history, last Spring I was having A/C clutch problems, so per
>>>      
>>>
>the
>  
>
>>>SHOtimes FAQ article I removed the smaller shim, which brought the clutch
>>>      
>>>
>gap
>  
>
>>>back within spec.  No problems until today.  Also, the old R-12 was
>>>      
>>>
>topped off
>  
>
>>>about a year ago, so unless I have a big-time leak I shouldn't be out of
>>>      
>>>
>gas.
>  
>
>>>Besides, this happened all of a sudden.  Yesterday it would remain full
>>>      
>>>
>cold
>  
>
>>>for as long as I wanted, today nothing.
>>>
>>>I'm not sure what all is supposed to spin when the clutch is engaged or
>>>disengaged.  Nothing changes when I beat on the clutch with a broomstick.
>>>      
>>>
>I
>  
>
>>>do notice there's a buildup of black gunk around the edge of the pulley.
>>>      
>>>
>I'm
>  
>
>>>not sure what this could be.  I doubt it's the accessory belt, but who
>>>      
>>>
>knows.
>  
>
>>>Oh, and as the assembly spins around, it appears warped!  I have no idea
>>>      
>>>
>what
>  
>
>>>this means.
>>>
>>>I ran the A/C self test per the SHOtimes FAQ.  I get a display full of
>>>      
>>>
>888, so
>  
>
>>>I'm assuming there's nothing electrical wrong.
>>>
>>>Any ideas?  I'm in the process of posting a couple of pictures and a
>>>      
>>>
>video of
>  
>
>>>my spinning assembly in hopes that it may help people diagnose my
>>>      
>>>
>problem.
>  
>
>>>I'll post links to the files when they're available.
>>>
>>>Thanks for any help,
>>>
>>>Steve Tatro
>>>Red/Black '93 with 170k miles
>>>Cincinnati, Ohio
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Shotimes mailing list
>>>Shotimes@autox.team.net
>>>http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes