A/C doesn't come on

[izzy]

When i bought my 85, the previous owner had changed the a/c compressor clutch because he said it was bad. He replaced it with one form a 92 4 cylinder or something. Anyways, my a/c doesn't work. I did get some kind of reading from a volt meter when i unpluged the harness from the compressor. I'm wondering if maybe there isn't any R-12 in it? If not, could this be causing my little problem? I am planning on taking it to a shop to get checked but was wondering anyway.

[richsvo]

Izzy,

If when you turn on the A/C, the clutch comes in and spins the pulley on the compressor, then I'd say it is definitely low on freon. If it doesn't ever kick in and spin, then, you have another problem. Just lift the hood, and see if it kicks in, that's the best place to start.

Hope that helps...

Rich

[Casper]

If you jump the freon pressure switch and turn on the AC, and the clutch engages and the compressor runs, but doesn't when you don't jump the switch (and have the harness plugged into the switch), then you are low on freon.

I just had my 84 retrofitted for new ac coolant. I had a different problem - It was the dash panel switch. You may need to check that out too. That switch is sealed, so had to replace the whole heater/ac dash module - but that's not difficult to diagnose or switch. If it is not your coolant, let me know and I can tell you how to test the dash switch.