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A/C fuse pops


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bill k
User

Jun 28, 2009, 1:57 AM

Post #1 of 11 (3327 views)
A/C fuse pops Sign In

1993 Sentra 1.6
Suddenly the AC fuse pops after a few minutes of run time. The fuse controls the two radiator fans and the compressor clutch, the interior fan is on a different fuse.
A few months ago we went to add some Feon and as I unscrewed the low pressure cap the fitting the cap screws on also unscrewed and flew off spraying me with freon and oil. We reserviced the thing and it ran fine now yesterday the fuse popped, replaced the fuse and after a few minutes it popped again. I thought maybe it was low on oil so I got a can of ester oil charge and put that in but a few minutes later the fuse popped again.

Where do I start???


bill k
User

Jun 28, 2009, 2:48 AM

Post #2 of 11 (3324 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

Did a little further troubleshooting, the compressor turns by hand so it does not appear to be frozen up but the clutch will not engage. the clutch wire runs from the clutch to the alternator plug, how do you check that? I also tapped on the ac relay and the clutch relay with no effect


Hammer Time
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Jun 28, 2009, 4:01 AM

Post #3 of 11 (3321 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

Anything on that circuit could be causing the fuse to blow. The only way to find it will be systematically disconnect each component until the fuse stops blowing. We usually use a circuit breaker in place of the fuse so you don't burn out a whole box of fuses.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



bill k
User

Jun 28, 2009, 4:09 AM

Post #4 of 11 (3315 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

The fuse is not blowing since the compressor is not turning on. The last time it all ran was yesterday as I was adding a 3 oz can of ester oil to the low pressure fitting,. Just about the time the can was empty the compressor clutch disengaged. Now all the blowers, radiator fans, and lights are working but the compressor clutch is not engaging. I got under there and found I can turn to compressor itself by hand, Now The clutch will not work.??????


Hammer Time
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Jun 28, 2009, 4:14 AM

Post #5 of 11 (3309 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

Now your talking about a whole different problem. You need to start with a set of gauges and make sure you have sufficient pressure for compressor operation. If so, then your going to have to follow a wiring diagram to troubleshoot the problem..



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



bill k
User

Jun 28, 2009, 4:24 AM

Post #6 of 11 (3304 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

Please Go back to my first post and read the second half, The system was working perfectly, is was very cold. it blew a fuse yesterday, I changed the fuse and it worked perfect again for about 5 minutes then it blew another fuse, I recalled that some months prior I accidently opened the system when adding some freon and that blew freon and ac oil all over the engine and me, we recharged the system but did not, repeat, did not, add Oil, I thought there was enough in there. Yesterday I put in a new fuse and connected a 3 oz can of oil to the low pressure side and it worked great until the can of oil was empty then the clutch dis-engaged and now it will not re-engage.


Hammer Time
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Jun 28, 2009, 4:32 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3300 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

I don't know what your point is there. I did read your question and the answer is the same. Check your pressures and if there is enough pressure, track it down electrically.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Sidom
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Jun 28, 2009, 6:55 AM

Post #8 of 11 (3295 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

The post is a bit confusing Bill. Here's my take on...let me know if I'm wrong....

A while back you lost all your freon & recharged & fixed it. Now it started popping fuses, after the 2nd time you tried to put some oil in it to see if that would fix the fuse problem & it didn't. Now it doesn't come on at all?

Being low on oil won't blow a fuse. Going off this little info, it almost sounds like the clutch is starting to draw too many amps. You need to determine if it's a direct short or an overload.

Is the fuse still good now that you try to turn the system on? If so you need to carefully check for power on the compressor connector with the system on. That will tell which direction you need to go.........


bill k
User

Jun 28, 2009, 7:23 AM

Post #9 of 11 (3291 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

I read the haynes manual, which is almost useless, it does not even give a wire diagran for the AC system. anyway it said if the clutch does not engage, to check the ac relay for continuity, sounds simple if you have all the tools to do that, I don't, my thought is, are any of the relays interchangable, such as the fan relays, sems to me I can make a swap to see what happens, that might work. (We used to do that in muti engine airplanes, move parts around out in the boonies to see if the problem moves with the part)
I got under the car with a mirror, it is very tight under there, I saw there are two electrical plugs on the compressor, but only one leads up into a wire bundle, I suspect that is the one that triggers the clutch, but I cannot figure out how to disconnect it.
If the clutch is bad can that be replaced without replacing the compressor.


Hammer Time
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Jun 28, 2009, 9:40 AM

Post #10 of 11 (3287 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

I'll repeat again. Until you determine that the system has sufficient pressure to engage the compressor, your wasting a lot of time and effort looking elsewhere.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
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Jun 30, 2009, 2:50 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3266 views)
Re: A/C fuse pops Sign In

Ditto!

Take pressure - first static then allow another fuse to run it and post both high and low while compressor is engaged. Bet the system is way too full or near empty with all the fooling with it??

Yes - most clutches and the coil to it are replaceable separate from compressor itself,

T







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