Troubleshooting the AC

[gordyzx9r]

So:

The AC & Heater system.

I haven't used the AC in years.  It was converted to 134 awhile ago.

I charged the system.

When I turn the AC on maximum, I hear a click sound, the RPMs alter slightly, and air blows through the vents...but it doesn't get cold.

When I set the controls to heat, heat blows out through the floor vents only, it doesn't come out the console vents.  If I set it to vent and set it to hot, I get hot air.  When I set it to defrost, it seems to be working correctly.

When you set it to heat, should it blow air out the console vents, or just the floor vents?

Where do I start?

[Steve Wood]

first check the end of this cable behind the glove box   http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/heater_cable.htm

and if that is actuating the door properly, check this  http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/acvacuumswitch.htm

[daveismissing]

Believe Kirban has now cloned the discontinued lever.
otherwise my hack?:
http://dtekk.com/automotive/heater/heater.html

[gordyzx9r]

first check the end of this cable behind the glove box   http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/heater_cable.htm

and if that is actuating the door properly, check this  http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/acvacuumswitch.htm

Thanks, I'll check those out. 

FYI...on http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/acvacuumswitch.htm the instructions/text between pics doesn't show up unless you highlight it.  I checked in FF and IE.

[Steve Wood]

Thanks.... I will fix it

[Steve Wood]

that should do it

[gordyzx9r]

I'll look at it once I get off work today.

So, I take it that when I set the control to "heat" I should have something coming out of the dash vents and not just the floor vents?

What about the AC not blowing cold air?

Gordy

[daveismissing]

cold air is stuck if that lever can't move the door, so start there

[Steve Wood]

You said you heard the compressor click...look at the front of the compressor to see if the entire pulley and not just the outer clutch part is turning.

If it is, put your hand on top of the "can" and see if it is cold.

[gordyzx9r]

You said you heard the compressor click...look at the front of the compressor to see if the entire pulley and not just the outer clutch part is turning.

If it is, put your hand on top of the "can" and see if it is cold.

The pulley turns, but I don't see anything else turning.  I took a video and posted it on my FB just in case so we can be sure we're talking about the same thing.

Everything behind the control head looked fine as well as behind the glove coompartment.

[Steve Wood]

if the pulley is rotating but the center hub is not, then the compressor shaft is not turning and you will have no cooling.

Pull the connector off the can and jump the two terminals in the connector together with a piece of wire..you should hear a click and the hear/feel the engine load down a bit.  Then, looking at the front of the clutch should show it turning as an unit and not just the outer pulley

[gordyzx9r]

if the pulley is rotating but the center hub is not, then the compressor shaft is not turning and you will have no cooling.

Pull the connector off the can and jump the two terminals in the connector together with a piece of wire..you should hear a click and the hear/feel the engine load down a bit.  Then, looking at the front of the clutch should show it turning as an unit and not just the outer pulley

I know I'm slow...

Okay, so when I jumped the terminals in the connector the clutch started turning and there was a load on the engine.

[gordyzx9r]

So, low on Freon or the low pressure switch is bad?

[Steve Wood]

that would be a good starting place....need to put a gauge on the low pressure side and see what it reads...You can use one of those cheap gauges they sell with the 12 oz cans of freon if you like...connect it to the low pressure fitting on the system, jump the switch and see if the pressure is in the green on gauge..or above say 25 psi if it is not marked...if it is not, then it would appear to be low...

If the car started to cool (put your hand on the line going into the evaporator) when you jumped the switch...then you know the switch was bad.

[gordyzx9r]

that would be a good starting place....need to put a gauge on the low pressure side and see what it reads...You can use one of those cheap gauges they sell with the 12 oz cans of freon if you like...connect it to the low pressure fitting on the system, jump the switch and see if the pressure is in the green on gauge..or above say 25 psi if it is not marked...if it is not, then it would appear to be low...

If the car started to cool (put your hand on the line going into the evaporator) when you jumped the switch...then you know the switch was bad.

No, it did not cool.  I'll get the pressure level checked.