Air Conditioner Problem

[GeoJeeper]

We finally got a warm day and my wife tried to use the AC. Never had any problems from it before. The outer pulley is spinning normally, but when she turns on the AC nothing happens. The clutch doesn't seem to engage. The relay under the hood doesn't fire either. Not sure how to trouble shoot this one. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I didn't find anything when I typed "air condition" in the search.

 

[adamkrz]

if the refrigerant has leaked out then the pressure switch will not engage the clutch for the compressor.

 

[GeoJeeper]

if the refrigerant has leaked out then the pressure switch will not engage the clutch for the compressor.

Is that something I can check myself, or do I have to take it to a shop? I've never messed with AC before.

 

[JeepJeepster]

It depends on how mechanically inclined you are. Best thing to do would be to get some gauge and put on the system to check the pressures.

If you really wanted to do it blind you could put some freon in the system without having any gauges. Ive done it before but I wouldnt do it on anything that I was seriously wanting to get fixed. The system I was working on was on its way out anyway and I wanted it to make it through the summer. You can get the hookup and cans of R134a at walmart if you please. Make 100% sure you put it in on the LOW pressure side.

 

[GeoJeeper]

That sounds like something I can handle. I'll check around for gauges. Somebody was telling me that I may be able to rent them from one of the parts stores such as autozone, etc. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[adamkrz]

Both suction & discharge ports are different sizes you you can't mix them up, Way back in the 70's they were both the same size.

I'm not sure what pressure the switch closes at - but somewhere in the 20 to 30 lb range.