mgriff

Greetings all,
I have been trying to get my a/c working,(not working when I puurchased it) I have installed a new condensor,dryer etc... I can not get the compressor to work, I have "jumped" the ac clutch-it works. Is there any way to "jump" the compressor? I have vacumed the system and it is holding a vac for three days and counting. It will not take any feon when I try to charge it. I know I have a electrical problem,but I don't want to buy a compressor if I don't have to.Any ideas would be welcome.
Thank you,
Mark

 

Animal

I'm not sure what you mean by "jump the compressor". The clutch, which you said you did jump, drives the compressor. If your system will not take any more charge, you have probably overcharged the system and have tripped the high pressure switch. If you do not have A/C gauges and/or do not know what you are doing, you should take it to a professional.
I'm sure someone will tell you that what you are doing is illegal (venting refrigerant ... blah blah blah), which is another issue open to much debate since it is an EPA regulation (not a law) which, last time I checked, had many loop holes - in any case you are exposing yourself to governmental harassment if not a fine.

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Animal

P.S.: attempting to override the high pressure switch by "jumping" the clutch can ruin the clutch and the compressor.

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mgriff

I have gagues,There is no freon in the system. The clutch clicks and moves when I "jump" it. I am sure it's an electrical problem. Thanks for the info.
Mark

Animal

If there is no refrigerant, the system should also prevent the clutch from engaging (this is a low pressure condition). If you have evacuated the system, it should take a pre-charge (without the compressor).
The electrical portion of A/C is fairly simple; fuse, a/c and fan switches, pressure sensors and wire to connect them. Some systems are thermostatically controlled and have an "a/c amplifier".

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mgriff

Thanks for the info, I will try a can of freon, I vacumed it several days ago, And unpluged the vac.It is still holding a vac at 29 so no leaks with nothing running.
Thanks,
Mark

Animal

Do you have a leak detector? Some unions seal under vacuum but will leak under pressure. The correct procedure is (was?) to charge the system with an inert gas (nitrogen) containing a trace of amount of refrigerant and check for leaks, then draw a vacuum, do a partial charge (approx. 7.5 oz.) check for leaks, add another 7.5 oz. check for leaks. All of this done before turning the compressor on.

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Life is too short to take it too seriously