Z-28 air conditioner problems

[FowVay]

I am hoping some of you guys can help get me pointed in the right direction. My neighbor has a 1994 Z-28. Her air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. She asked me if I could put a can of that "stuff" in it for her. So I got a can of R134 and proceeded to put it in and after a few seconds I noticed that the compressor wasn't engaging. Not once in the 15 minutes that I was fooling with it did the compressor engage.

My question is: where do I start? I checked the underhood fuse (big square box looking fuse) that was marked for the air conditioner compressor. It seemed fine. I know absolutely nothing about domestic cars and the underhood of this camaro is cramped to say the least.

Any help at all is appreciated.

 

[Patman]

Check out www.camaroz28.com and go into their forums and do a search, I bet the info you need will be in there.

 

[jorton]

The low pressure cut-off switch is tripped because too much refrigerant has leaked out. You can use a jumper on the connector for that switch to engage the compressor and suck in new refrigerant. But the new stuff will leak out too so she should get the leak repaired at a shop.
Joe

 

[FowVay]

Is the low pressure switch the two lead connector that plugs into the high pressure line?

I have also read a service bulletin that says that if there is a DTC 66 stored in the computer that it will prevent the compressor from engaging until this code is cleared. I guess it's worth having it scanned for also.

Thanks for all the input. That Z28 forum is loaded with information but I haven't found much that is actually from service manuals - mainly hands-on learning. I have printed the service bulletin from GM about the error code 66 and hopefully I can get the computer scanned at autozone and reset if this code is present.

I'll try to complete the circuit at the high pressure switch to see if this engages the clutch and if it does then I'll recommend that the owner take the car to a garage to have the leak repaired.

Thanks again!!

 

[Gary Allan]

The switch will be (typically) on the accumulator. Two wire deal. There should be no other wired item to the plumbing under the hood other than the power lead to the compressor.

 

[VaderSS]

quote:

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There should be no other wired item to the plumbing under the hood other than the power lead to the compressor.

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What about the high-pressure switch?