air conditioning problems

[hotshotzny]

i was wondering what if any checks i can do to see why my ac unit is not working, at this point the compresor isnt even engaging when it is turned on, i just want to make sure im not missing something obvious before i take it in to have it looked at

 

[XLR8]

Bill, sorry I can't help with your AC issue, but I wanted to congratulate you on the upgrade and encourage you to post photos of your "new" C4 when you have time. The Dark Red is a beautiful Corvette color!

I think you're going to enjoy the C4... I really loved my first Vette, a Torch Red '94 convertible that I would still own if I could afford 2 Corvettes.

Enjoy!
Jane Ann

 

[hotshotzny]

i put a few pics of it up in my album on my profile, i havent had a nice enough day yet to take it down to the airport or up on the mountain to get some good pics with my co-pilot.... and he has been hounding me about it!

 

[minifridge1138]

There are several things that could cause the compressor to not engage.

1) loose wire. Make sure the compressor is actually plugged in.
2) Low freon. There is a pressure switch on the low side of the compressor. If the PSI gets too low, the compressor won't engage. Easy way to check is to hook up a pressure gauge to the low side service port. It is easy to add freon, but you need to find out why it is low and fix the leak (or not. I know people with very small leaks that just put in 1 can every summer).
3) Bad pressure switch. If the switch is broken, then it will act like there is no freon. On some cars, you can disconnect the harness from the switch and jump the 2 tabs on the harness. If the compressor starts, then you know the sensor is bad. Let someone that knows more about the C4 tell you this is what to do.
4) Electrical problem. I can't help on this one.
5) Bad clutch on the compressor. Replace.

 

[hotshotzny]

i was out messing with it today and from what i have found im not getting power to the compressor.... but i know nothing about AC units really....

 

[JimBobC4]

i was out messing with it today and from what i have found im not getting power to the compressor.... but i know nothing about AC units really....

Items 2,3,4 listed above would cause that issue. Do you have black oily goo around the 2 metal hoses that go into the compressor ? Run your finger on the bottom of them and check for oily residue. Not road grime but oil. If so, that could have come from the AC system. Indicating a leak.

This isn't 100% ( or even 80% ) but if you have oil leaking you most likely have a freon leak, so the pressure is too low to allow the compressor to turn on. ( no voltage) You may, maybe , might, be able to fix it with 2 "O" rings where the hoses go on the compressor and some Freon.

The hillbilly method is to charge up the system with freon, and see if the compressor kicks on, if it does, spray it with soap. If it bubbles you have your leak.

Yeah yeah I know, we are killing baby seals .... its just a test folks ! :eyerole

 

[hotshotzny]

i see nothing around the compressor, no oily residue like you described

 

[G Winter]

Have you checked the fuse? I didn't see you mention it.

Glenn

 

[hotshotzny]

ya know it would be something so obvious in most cases but yea its actually the first thing i did and for s&g's i replaced it with a new one just to be sure