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Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 8, 2023, 12:34 PM
Post #1 of 21
(1293 views)
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Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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As the title said, simple question, I hope. I've got a 2002 S10 with 4.3 automatic RWD (I heard that matters). About 2 years ago I installed a new Murray (OReillys) A/C compressor, I thought the hose was leaking, nope, front seal on compressor, SO, repairs made on a good running system without any catastrophic failure (no junk in the lines), vacuum pulled and new juice with oil charge and was running very well blowing ice (almost). Now the problem, it was running and suddenly shut down, fuses good, relay swapped out with known good, no joy, jumpered low pressure switch again no joy. Today (with it a wee bit cooler than the 99* oven I checked the high pressure with a jumper and WOO HOO it kicked on. So I'm assuming (yeah, yeah, I know . . . . LOL) it's the high side switch on the compressor took a d . . . . . nose dive. All of that and now the million dollar question - can that switch in the back of the compressor be changed without evacuating the system ? I'm figuring not because a snap ring holds it in place, but I juss hadta ask. I'm under the impression the low side switch has a schrader valve for a qwik change. Thanks in advance for any responses. I also did a similar fix on my Benz hotrod about the same time while she was down for a water pump, learned a lot on A/Cs and have the vac-pump and a set of gauges
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 8, 2023, 12:52 PM
Post #2 of 21
(1289 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Nope, definitely have to evacuate to remove that switch.
Be very careful pulling it out so you don't break off the plastic. Rock it back and forth while gently lifting to get it out.
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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.
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 8, 2023, 3:09 PM
Post #3 of 21
(1276 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Well shucks (I really wanted to use a different word) I was afraid of that. Thanks again for the fast reply. Now to order a new switch and drag out the equipment again
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 8, 2023, 3:13 PM
Post #4 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Did you try wiggling the plug around when it wasn't working to make sure it's not just a connection 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.
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 9, 2023, 5:49 PM
Post #5 of 21
(1197 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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No, didn't wiggle the wire or plug, difficult to fit my fat hand betwixt the compressor and the plastic intake assembly. I'll try that tomorrow but at least I / we know where the issue actually is because everything else checks out. I also did a little more research on the cooling juice I used and it may be a bit over charged, so if the wire wiggle doesn't do I'll bleed out a little to see if . . . . . . It's gotta be something fairly simple because it has been functioning properly for two years now
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 9, 2023, 5:54 PM
Post #6 of 21
(1193 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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You can't just guess at the amount of refrigerant in the system. You have to completely evacuate the system and charge it with the exact WEIGHED amount of refrigerant specified. It's critical and you can't base anything on pressure readings.
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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.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 10, 2023, 10:09 AM
Post #7 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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That switch is a "superheat" switch you don't get a new one with compressors use the one it came with.
Lube it! PAG oil or what A/C oil you have.
If using 12oz cans just put in one first use plain soapy water on that thing look for bubbles - zero is good :-)
New? Good luck IDK where you'll find one but try if you want search "Superheat Switch" but old one should be good?
Other and AYOR jumping switches you can blow things especially ones with more than 2 wires!
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 10, 2023, 12:06 PM
Post #8 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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It's not a superheat switch. It's a high pressure switch.
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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.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 10, 2023, 12:39 PM
Post #9 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Yes - high pressure (if refrigerant and compressed is hot but not too hot or that will shut down compressor - it's supposed to so you don't ruin anything.
New/reman units don't come with those you use the one from old one so don't turn in old parts till new is working it may not be used in some other set up or vehicle? Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 10, 2023, 12:43 PM
Post #10 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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That switch has nothing at all to do with temperature. It doesn't sense temp. It is simply a high pressure switch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 10, 2023, 1:38 PM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Check again. If hot it shorts out and supposed to! Compressor won't work if it isn't in place on cars/trucks that use those.
THESE, SOLD ON eBay read it and weep!
Link deleted
I didn't name the fool thing that's what they are!
Tom
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 10, 2023, 1:56 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 10, 2023, 1:43 PM
Post #12 of 21
(1126 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Here's the wiring diagram.
Here is what your switch looks like. Make sure you match the color as they have different plugs and pressures.
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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.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 13, 2023, 3:13 PM)
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sgodblackmechanic
New User
Aug 11, 2023, 9:33 AM
Post #13 of 21
(1049 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Now, you've got a vac-pump, gauges, and some know-how, so tackling this could be your next AC victory lap!
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 11, 2023, 10:35 AM
Post #14 of 21
(1034 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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First things first, I learned long ago that SOME parts you don't want to do used or even refurbed because likely you'd end up doing the same job twice, A/C compressors are one of those parts that should be done new. Yes I have gauges and a vac pump, bought after much research on the subject and the best fix for the two of my vehicles that were needing the A/Cs fixed. As I said before bother were still operational but leaking down.
Back to the one at hand, it was a particularly hot day here when the compressor shut down on my truck and through the various checks I did (no shop to work in the shade here) it was finally determined that the light blue, round gizmo pictured in Hammer's posting is the culprit. IMHO since the low side switch can be changed easily you'd think the high side would be as well, nope, not in today's automotive world, they, the engineers and designers would much rather you comPLETELY disassemble your car just to change a fuse. I own a Mercedes Benz coupe and know this all too well from it (another interesting story right there LOL).
If this switch on the rear face of the compressor tripped due to excessive system pressure, that may very well be my fault as the refrigerant I used is an environmentally (emphasis on mentally here  )friendly 134a drop in replacement and re-reading on their website I overlooked where pulling a vacuum was not necessary. So with that in mind was the reason I stated earlier in another post to bleed some of the juice out, BUT if this switch has permanently tripped then a replacement IS needed up to and including a system recharge after switch replacement. IF by bleeding off a slight amount regains normal operation then all that much better. Due to the roasting hot temps this time of year here in the SE USA it is difficult at best to work on anything, even WITH shade and since I have other modes of transport I can take my time with this. The truck IS drivable just no A/C. It is a little cooler today so will likely give it a try shortly
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 11, 2023, 11:34 AM
Post #16 of 21
(1017 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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By answering this it may come across as endorsing a product and my understanding from the various forums I am a "member" of say this is a "no-no". What I WILL say again is this environmentally friendly R134a replacement literature says that pulling a vacuum is not needed. I just re-re-read on their site and their "industrial version" for larger A/C systems and those having rear air does need a vacuum pulled, a different formulation I suppose.
Again, this is NOT R134a refrigerant but is/was and alternative replacement recommended by many on another forum and is presently in two different vehicles I own
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 11, 2023, 11:41 AM
Post #17 of 21
(1013 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Oh wow, this is a substitute refrigerant?
Get rid of it ASAP. Most of these substitutes are based in propane and highly flammable and dangerous.
There are no good substitutes for R134A and no reason to look for one.
No matter what, air cannot be in the system and all systems have to be vacuumed for at least 30 minutes before charging.
If you're going to continue using this substitute we aren't going to advise you any further.
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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.
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 11, 2023, 12:11 PM
Post #18 of 21
(1008 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Ok, sorry you feel that way. I used this product due to it coming highly recommended from several people including a couple who are auto mechanics. I simply started here with the question about the pressure switch on my compressor. I'll ask it a bit differently, if it tripped due to higher pressure from higher temperatures outside will it reset with lower pressure ?? If that violates your "If you're going to continue using this substitute we aren't going to advise you any further" then so be it, I'll just have to try it and go from there. I'm simply trying to save myself some time and money already invested with a possible simple fix vs having to start all over from empty
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 11, 2023, 12:18 PM
Post #19 of 21
(1004 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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The switch resets immediately when the pressure drops below the programmed pressure.
The alternate refrigerant will also create pressures that don't compare to the pressures the system was engineered to. Another reason not to use it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
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wooky_chew_bacca
Novice
Aug 11, 2023, 12:30 PM
Post #20 of 21
(997 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Thank you for that answer
The consensus or both the company as well as those who recommended this refrigerant was that yes, lower operating pressure would be expected but also less strain on the system because of the lower pressures.
Not meaning to sound like an argument but having propane (don't know exactly what this refrigerant is) onboard a car isn't anything new, my school bus was propane powered back in the 70s and most cars these days are fuel injected, flammable liquid under pressure. I'd be more afraid of a leak with fuel injection than I would a pressurized cooling system.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 11, 2023, 12:36 PM
Post #21 of 21
(992 views)
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Re: Simple ??? I Hope, A/C Compressor Issue
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Look, having an external propane tank and having seeping through your dash vents due to a leaking evaporator are two entirely different things.
These refrigerants are not approved by the EPA to be used in vehicle systems. I have seen videos of exploding cars due to propane being used in the AC system.
I've told you where this forum stands on these refrigerants and you seem to want to debate these issues so I'm going to close this question now.
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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.
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