A/C compressor doesnt work

[m3f_hotchilippr]

Today I was driving to a park after work and it was 80F or so, decided to turn on the A/C and to my surprise no cold air. I coulndt hear the compressor running, everything else seems ok. A/C on light stays on, fan blows air, climate control set to 60 (both), and no cold air.



Is this a common problem?



I have a 98 vert with the auto climate control.

[m3f_DesmoBob_e0fc43b145]

Today I was driving to a park after work and it was 80F or so, decided to turn on the A/C and to my surprise no cold air. I coulndt hear the compressor running, everything else seems ok. A/C on light stays on, fan blows air, climate control set to 60 (both), and no cold air.



- check fuses

- check to see if compressor clutch is engaging

- check to see if aux fan in front of condenser is activating

- check R-134a pressure

[m3f_hotchilippr]

I have done the following without success:

I checked all 4 fuses and they are ok.

A/C compressor clutch not engaging.

Aux fan does not run.



I wasn't able to check the R-134a pressure because of the lack of tool. If low pressure its causing the compressor not to run, how could I add R-134a?



A little history, my M has been parked most of the winter and just this week I decided to drive a little further.



I'm a little clueless at this point.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

If your R-134 pressure is low, you have a leak. The AC coolant is never supposed to drop in amount or pressure.

[m3f_DesmoBob_e0fc43b145]

I wasn't able to check the R-134a pressure because of the lack of tool. If low pressure its causing the compressor not to run, how could I add R-134a?



A little history, my M has been parked most of the winter and just this week I decided to drive a little further.

re: parked during winter

the refrigerant system self-lubricates the seals & o-rings whenever it is in use, so letting it sit over the winter without using a/c can dry out the o-rings and start a leak. it's recommended to use the a/c (the compressor, not the heater) at least a couple of times during the winter, even if it's just for a few minutes, to keep the system lubricated.



re: checking pressure

k-mart, walmart, autozone, etc should have a recharge kit (which includes pressure gauge) for under $20. i got mine from k-mart.

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~roberto/ac_recharge_kit.jpg



it attaches to fitting #2 in this pic:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~roberto/ac_connectors.jpg



this table lists the expected refrigerant pressures for a given air temperature & humidity (check weather.com for your current numbers).

[m3f_hotchilippr]

A/C is working again!!!



I tested the pressure and found out and it was low. Re-charged it with R-134a and A/C is working fine. It saved me a trip to the stealership :-)



Now I need to work on my SUV. One of the valves is leaking refrigerant and it seems that I need to take in to have it replaced.



Thanks Bob