gizmo97

Its gonna take me a bit to learn to navigate this forum but I will learn.

Heres my problem. Ac not working. everything related to the AC was ok( fan kicked in) I had proper charge. Clutch was not engaging. I put a voltmeter on the wires right at the clutch and had voltage when AC was on.
I evacuated the system and changed the whole compressor and clutch with a new one.I put the right amount of 134A in it (18 Oz) while I jumped the clutch to bypass the low pressure switch.. Clutch will not engage even when the system is full. I checked and even by passed the clutch relay and still no go.
I start to believe I have a bad condenser temperature control. If so where EXACTLY is the location this thing is. I appreciate any input. Thank you

ezone

When you try to run the AC now, do the radiator fans turn on? (need to know this first)


Your compressor has a 3 wire connector that is on top of the alternator.
One half has all red wires?
The center wire operates the clutch. You can apply 12v to the center wire to see if the clutch will kick on.
Ohm check that center wire, it should show about 3.5-4 ohms.

The outer 2 wires should show continuity.

The outer wires are for a thermal protector. Did you have to swap that thermal protector off of the original compressor?

gizmo97

Thank you for working with me on this ezone. I swapped the whole thing. It came with that thermal protector on it. So I just plugged it in. I made it run during fill up by jumping that center wire.
Do you have other ideas. Where exactly is that evaporator temp control ( i wrongly said condenser in previous post)

gizmo97

No the fan does not turn on . It did before I did any work

ezone

Forget that for now.

That is a very important observation.

Check the rest of what I mentioned in my previous post:

Report your results.

gizmo97

TY I will return home Monday and check it

gizmo97

Just did check the continuity and it shows it is continuous.(I didn't disconnect the plug)
Where we go from here ezone

ezone

Disconnect the 3 wire plug on top of the alternator to check continuity on the outer pair of red wires.
Should read zero ohms resistance between the two wires.

gizmo97

Ezone, thank you for working with me on this problem. This is a great web site.
I pulled the plug out as indicated by you so I could check continuity. I wanted to check that right at the pins and......voila; two of them were bent back with zero chance of making contact. I straightened them out with a pair of needle nose and inserted the plug.
AC is working perfect. Thanks again. Ill be around.

ezone

Bent pins wasn't my guess, but that's certainly gonna keep it from working. Glad you got it.

gizmo97

As one can see last October I changed the compressor and the AC was working perfect till 2 weeks ago. I tried adding freon and the unit started to work right away. I was thinking that there is a minuscule leak somewhere. Unfortunately the leak is major as I can hear it loud and clear. Its coming from some place under the compressor. Unfortunately I could not find the exact location. I was hoping to be a hose which would be easier to change then the whole compressor. If it is the compressor where and why is it leaking. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

ezone

You're gonna need to pinpoint the leak source.
Guessing gets expensive in a hurry.

EDIT: Did you put any PAG oil in the last new compressor when it was installed?

gizmo97

The new compressor had a tag saying that the compressor was filled with oil. I will work during the next week to determine/ fix the problem, Maybe I should have bought a more expensive compressor? I think I paid something like $170

ezone

See what the leak really is first.

A huge freon leak would likely have also left a large oil stain around the area.

gizmo97

Thanks ezone. You are right again. I bought the light and uv can from Walmart. Even so it was not easy to find the leak due to it's hidden location. It is the radiator about 3-4 inch from the top and from the left size. I spotted it thru the grill when I looked in an angle.
I will decide to buy a new one or to fix this one. Whats your opinion?
I dont see any physical damage at that location so probably this problem will occur at other locations if I decide to fix this one

gizmo97

Never mind fixing it . Including shipping its about $72.00 so I did order it.

ezone

The engine uses a radiator.
The heat exchanger out in front for the AC system is called a Condensor.

I'd replace it. We don't even attempt to repair stuff like that at this shop.
$72 might be too cheap.

gizmo97

The other day I bought a bracket ( roller for a sliding door on a Odissey) The dealer wanted $121 for it. Shipped I got it for $45.00 or so. Same or better quality then the original. I ordered the Condenser from the same guys. parts geek.com. I let you know what I think about it after I get it and install it

ezone

Over double MSRP seems a little excessive.

gizmo97

I did get the condenser and replaced it. The replacement is EXACTLY as the original .
I vacuumed the system and waited for an hour to see the system is not leaking. Then I ran the vacuum pump for another hour to make sure any moisture got sucked up. Then I refilled the system with freon. System works well. The process of changing the condenser took about an hour ( my garage is well equipped ). Thank you ezone.

ezone

Cool beans!