A/C Help - 01 Camaro LS1
05-21-2008, 10:29 PM
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A/C Help - 01 Camaro LS1 Anyone in Dallas that can help me with the A/C system on a 01 Camaro LS1? We put a used compressor after the old one had a broken pin on the electrical connection. I added (4) 12 oz. cans of 134a and one small can of oil. The pressure goes up but the system doesnt get cold, not even the canister thats by the battery.
Can anyone look at it and maybe see whats up or know someone that can?
Im in the Dallas area but willing to travel.
Thanks,
Jesse
Can anyone look at it and maybe see whats up or know someone that can?
Im in the Dallas area but willing to travel.
Thanks,
Jesse
05-21-2008, 11:16 PM
#3
Did the pin break off in the connector in the harness side? Jump the connector to see if the ac clutch spins. You may have a bad clutch as well or compressor itself.
Also, don't forget the PCM controls the clutch.
Also, don't forget the PCM controls the clutch.
05-21-2008, 11:33 PM
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The system is only supposed to take 1.5lb of R-134a, or two 12oz cans. I am not really sure how you could get that refrigerant much in there.
Did you draw a vacuum on the system prior to trying to charge it? If so, did you determine if the system would hold a vacuum? I am assuming you went through the proper procedure for charging (Max A/C, high fan speed).
You should have at least one pressure sensor (can't remember how many, but I think there is one on the high pressure side) that the PCM uses to determine if it is safe to engage the compressor clutch. Check your wiring, and if possible, use a scan tool to monitor the pressure PID, if applicable.
It's possible to do as Josh has sad and jump the relay to force the clutch to engage, but if the system is over/under-pressurized, you risk damaging things.
Please post up what you have done so far so we can point you in the right direction.
Did you draw a vacuum on the system prior to trying to charge it? If so, did you determine if the system would hold a vacuum? I am assuming you went through the proper procedure for charging (Max A/C, high fan speed).
You should have at least one pressure sensor (can't remember how many, but I think there is one on the high pressure side) that the PCM uses to determine if it is safe to engage the compressor clutch. Check your wiring, and if possible, use a scan tool to monitor the pressure PID, if applicable.
It's possible to do as Josh has sad and jump the relay to force the clutch to engage, but if the system is over/under-pressurized, you risk damaging things.
Please post up what you have done so far so we can point you in the right direction.
05-22-2008, 12:39 AM
#6
listen up bub... if you put 4 cans in there and its supposed to take two cans, its probably the pressure sensor shutting everything off as a precaution. I have no idea how it took that much freon since when I put cans in my cans, it usually wont take much more than the rest of the can when its full
05-22-2008, 12:42 AM
#7
Don't rely on those crappy *** walmart gauges either, they always show overloaded. You might just have to bite the bullet and take it somewhere. Or drain all the freon and start over.
Ryansm1, you dont have to draw a vacuum, but if you do, it works a lot better is colder.
Ryansm1, you dont have to draw a vacuum, but if you do, it works a lot better is colder.
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05-22-2008, 12:50 AM
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damn lol
well what i was doing is connecting the gauge/hose to the canister and when it would reach to the "red" i would poke the bigger valve thats on the front and let the air out. I figured it was like a bleed valve or something. Once the pressure went down I kept adding more. Everytime i "bled" it, only air would come out and no green stuff. But when i did drop the pressure, I felt the canister get cold a bit and it would take the freon in but the a/c vents were still blowing just air (not cold at all). Yes, I did have it at Max and full speed.
well what i was doing is connecting the gauge/hose to the canister and when it would reach to the "red" i would poke the bigger valve thats on the front and let the air out. I figured it was like a bleed valve or something. Once the pressure went down I kept adding more. Everytime i "bled" it, only air would come out and no green stuff. But when i did drop the pressure, I felt the canister get cold a bit and it would take the freon in but the a/c vents were still blowing just air (not cold at all). Yes, I did have it at Max and full speed.
05-22-2008, 01:11 AM
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If I overfill mine, I press the pin in on the low side until the compressor starts to cycle. Might help if you reset the PCM. I know with LT1 cars, the pcm gets into a "hell no" mode with the A/C and you have to force it on like that.
05-22-2008, 11:56 AM
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The valve on the front is actually the high-pressure side. It sounds like you were actually just letting the refrigerant you put in back out.
Drawing a vacuum isn't necessary, but you can determine how well it will hold a charge by watching how well it holds vacuum. If you draw out 25 mmHg and it instantly falls back to zero, it's probably not going to work very well.
Go rent a set of gauges from Autozone and post up what pressures you are seeing with the engine running and AC on from both the low and high pressure valves.
Drawing a vacuum isn't necessary, but you can determine how well it will hold a charge by watching how well it holds vacuum. If you draw out 25 mmHg and it instantly falls back to zero, it's probably not going to work very well.
Go rent a set of gauges from Autozone and post up what pressures you are seeing with the engine running and AC on from both the low and high pressure valves.
05-23-2008, 12:29 AM
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Always add refrigerent on the low side, not the high side. Make sure you pulled a good vacuum on the system. If you added to much refrigerent then the high side pressure switch will shut the compressor off as a precaution. I say start over. Pull a vacuum to make sure there is not leaks. Yes you have to do this. Refrigerent and air do not mix. After you pull the vacuum hook up and can and bleed the air out. Then dump about one can on the high side with the ac off. Then run the ac and add refrigerent on the low side. It will be the blue gauge. Follow the recommended amount the it calls for. Btw the way if the compressor is not kicking on the gauges will be really high.
I didnt have the AC Compressor relay hooked up. 
05-23-2008, 09:33 AM
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Not trying to hijack the thread, but just started daily driving my Z28 and the other day the A/C and the stereo all went dead. I know the compressor is still running and the freon is good, I know its gotta be an electrical thing, just too coincidental that the radio and the a/c went out at exactly the same time. Anyone got any ideas? I'm not very good at electrical issues, so any help would be greatly appreciated.