A/C won't kick on! Help
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Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
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A/C won't kick on! Help Hi guys, I'm new to this forum but I've had my '99 Z for the last 7 years...with really no problems. Last week I pulled it out of the garage and drove it around with the A/C. The air was nice and cold. Thursday night was hte last night I drove it. On Saturday I got up to run to the store in it and the A/C wouldn't come on. WTF? I've been in this situation numerous times before with Mustangd and Firebirds (both mine and friends). So i waited until it cooled down and checked all of the fuses. None of them are blown. I noticed when I turned on the A/C the compressor wasn't engaging. So I cut the compressor wire, attached a new wire and ran it directly to the battery and got it to engage. So them I was figuring and hoping its a short which is not a big deal usually.
However, I started up the car, turned on the A/C switch to Max and then went around and ran the wire to the battery. The clutch kicked on but still no cold air! None of the lines get cold either.
Now I'm stumped. In the past when I've done this on to other cars, I at least got cold air. We did it on my friends 97 TA right after he got it out fo the shop for an A/C job. We ended up finding the problem when it was all said and done. I know I have an LS1, but the car physics should be the same. But this time I'm getting nothing.
Any ideas!? Is the compressor out?
However, I started up the car, turned on the A/C switch to Max and then went around and ran the wire to the battery. The clutch kicked on but still no cold air! None of the lines get cold either.
Now I'm stumped. In the past when I've done this on to other cars, I at least got cold air. We did it on my friends 97 TA right after he got it out fo the shop for an A/C job. We ended up finding the problem when it was all said and done. I know I have an LS1, but the car physics should be the same. But this time I'm getting nothing.
Any ideas!? Is the compressor out?
When the r34a gets to a low point, the compressor will not engage, any chance you are low on r34a?
FWIW-I just added a can to mine, first can since I have owned it in 2yrs, not sure if prev owner ever added any since 99, but I know its got a slow leak now so in the future...
FWIW-I just added a can to mine, first can since I have owned it in 2yrs, not sure if prev owner ever added any since 99, but I know its got a slow leak now so in the future...
I would also say that you are low on r134a. If your lucky to live in a state that allows the sale of self-charge kits to go that route (the draw backs of living in Wisconsin-R134a self-charge kits=illegal to buy). Had the same problem with my truck this weekend took it to my work and put the right amount in and works great now
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
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From: Tulsa, OK
Any brand will do. But you're not addressing the problem if you just throw a can of Freon in it. You have a leak somewhere that will still be leaking when you're done. Get the kind of Freon that has dye in it so you can find and fix the leak.
- 1 can of R134a w/ stop leak
- 1 can of UV dye (ONLY dye - it's a much smaller can)
- 1 refill hose with inline pressure tester
Follow the procedure in the Haynes/Chiltons manual on how to recharge the system. Most of the stuff is made by interdynamics, and all of their stuff is good.
If you're lucky, you may only have a small leak that the "stop leak" additive might fix. Either way, get your car in the air at night (when it's dark), after driving it with the A/C on during the day. Then check under the car & in the engine compartment with a UV light. You should easily be able to see the dye and trace it back to where it's leaking. Then you'll know what to replace.
If you don't see the dye, check again in a couple days. Still nothing? In a week. After that, you're either fine, or you have such a small leak that the dye isn't coming out (which isn't a big deal).
