ac not working 97 chevy astro

[Chris142]

Jump the pressure switch on the Acumulator and see if the clutch engages. If it does it's either low on refrigerant or the switch is bad.

While the switch is jumped see if the low side line gets cold. No= Other problems, yes= bad low side pressure switch.

If the system is infact low look for leaks on the compressor body, high side charge port and if it has a rear AC on the low side line where it rubs on the corner of the engine near the drivers foot (under the cover).

 

[cephas]

Chris142, thanks for your time and the reply. I followed your advice and now have ac! The cheapo pressure guage showed low coolant with the system running. No apparent leaks, but I'll wait a few days and see. Have a good one!

 

[Chris142]

So was it low and you recharged it or is the switch bad?

 

[cephas]

Apparently (hopefully) it was just low coolant. Following your instructions I jumped the switch and that kicked the clutch and compressor on. I checked the pressure, finding it very low, and added a can and a half to normal reading. Shut down and connected the switch back up, and all is working normally so far. Could not detect any leaks, but I'll keep my eyes on it for awhile. Thaks again.

 

[cephas]

Howdy, 97 Chevy Astro van, ac not working. Added some freon, without leak seal. Although pressure on cheap guage was low, but not empty. This didn't help. Checked all fuses and swapped some relays around, no go. I noticed the clutch on the compressor was not functioning. Put the meter to it and it appears no juice is going to it. Any ideas, suggestions appreciated, thanks.

 

[Vikas]

Which kit did you use to recharge the system?

 

[cephas]

Went to Walmart and put together what I needed. Only source open here at that time. The brand was interdynamics. Bought the guage/hose adapter separate, with a couple of cans of refrigerant and a can of oil boost. After reading posts here I wanted something without the sealer in it.

 

[Vikas]

I did not know Interdynamics had anything without the leak sealant stuff in it. I have purchased the Interdynamics Arctic Freeze kit but now I am hesitant to try that as it does have QuickBoost and leak sealant in it.

- Vikas

 

[Vikas]

Talking about leak detections, how powerful UV light is needed to see the dye? Would 1Watt LED be powerful enough to see it indoors i.e. in the garage?

- Vikas

 

[brianl703]

I used a cheapo battery-powered flourescent UV light to see the dye when I had an external leak from the fuel injectors (added dye to the gas tank).

It worked fine.

 

[cephas]

Vikas, I just checked the can and it was straight refrigerant, contents show nothing else. These were white cans sold separately for about $6. This was not the kit, the guage was also sold separate.

 

[Vikas]

How much for the gauge? I think I will return my kit and go for this with the refrigerant only.

- Vikas

 

[cephas]

gauge=$14.77, refrigerant=$6.88/can, used 1 1/2 cans, oil charge $3.78. The receipt was on top of the garage garbage can!

 

[BlazerLT]

quote:

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Originally posted by cephas:
Howdy, 97 Chevy Astro van, ac not working. Added some freon, without leak seal. Although pressure on cheap guage was low, but not empty. This didn't help. Checked all fuses and swapped some relays around, no go. I noticed the clutch on the compressor was not functioning. Put the meter to it and it appears no juice is going to it. Any ideas, suggestions appreciated, thanks.

---

You add refrigerant ( IT IS NOT FREON!) with the AC on MAX and the fan on full blast.

Only add it to the low side port.

The low pressure switch is shot or the refrigerant is so low that it will no engage until it is up to the proper level.

 

[cephas]

It appears it was from low refrigerant (not freon, sorry) level. All has worked well the last couple days.

 

[H2GURU]

Servicing an A/C system without finding the leak is a waste of time. The leak needs to found, system evacuated, and the exact amount replaced for it to properly function. Few shade-trees' have the tools or the know - how to do A/C work. You may get away with adding a can to the low side but it not a long term fix.

 

[Donald]

I would add some leak detector to the system. As others have said, elves did not let the R134A out, it leaked out. It could just be a dried out o-ring or something corroded through with a pinhole. Time will tell.

 

[TooManyWheels]

That vehicle may have the compressor type where the two case halves leak at their joint. Very, very, very common on that year of Chevy.

If that is the problem there are two or three brands of redesigned aftermarket compressors which are a direct replacement.