Topic: AC
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
ok so its definatly time to fix my Ac.
Here's the kicker I am clueless in this area.
Whats been done, refrigerant has been converted to new stuff.
Check valve in engine bay (looks like a small egr valve but is brass color) has been replaced
Previous owner said it use to work really well until he had some guy work on it.
Refrigerant is full.
Where do I start looking to fix the ac, it gets really hot in the cabin.
anythoughts?
Marcus
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Lifetime MemberOk first comes the questions.
1) Does the compressor kick in when you turn on the A/C?
If it does not, then this could mean a couple of things. The Pressure switch is bad. It could be overfilled with refrigerant.(not good) Could be low on refrigerant. R-134 is totally different than R-12. It runs at a much higher pressure, meaning that it would actually take less R-134, than it would R-12. If there is too much, there is less room for fluid movement from high side (high pressured Gas from the compressor) to the low side (Condenced liquid on the suction side feeding the compressor) Creating back pressure. And heat. Therefore it will not cool.
2 ) Does the air blow at different levels in the vent structure when you change the switches? (floor, vents, defrost)
Could easily be the switch in the console. Vacuum leaks at the switch, or any one of the valves in the dash or under the hood that cuts off the hot water flow through the heater core. Or a combination of these things.
3)How do you know that it is full of refrigerant?
Again, too much is worse than not enough. Rule of thumb for the average change over system is 3 1/2 cans of R-134a. or 42oz. into an evacuated system. And 12oz of Oil. Pressure should be about 39#'s. with the sytem churning full bore. Atleast that is my experience, on conversions.
This is enough to start. Depending on your answers to these three, the next things to check will follow.
Hope that it helps.
Mike
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
Previous owner had it serviced, coolant level was a little low at the time less than 9months ago, air blows from differant areas when switch is changed, floor, vents, defrost. if it is over filled how do I get rid of some of the coolant.
I will double check the compressor today, but i believe it does kick on, I will check for other vacuume leaks as well.
I will run the lines that I can find to check any valves i run acrossed. I know one valve for sure has been replaced under the hood and thats when the AC stopped working according to the previous owner (very meticulous guy by the way)
Thanks for the starting point on correcting my ac I appriciate it.
Marcus
Former Member
Send PM
Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
Mike,
chronos51 2011-08-01 10:38:22
My ac compressor does turn on and off, but has a short someplace I will need to locate it works then blows the fuse.
The hot cold selector isnt mounted properly, the cable doesnt come out of the housing very far, I held the housing and moved the selector switch to cold and it pulled the cable out and produced cold air from the ac before it blew the fuse.
So I am gonna pull the passanger seat remove the panels and remount the switch cable housing.
tracing the short, well looks to be right at the compressor power supply itself, it has metal wires that are not coated that seem to be touching. I will trace it futher for any open spots in the harness that may be causing the short.
Marcus
Update, so after mounting the cable properly- rechecking the fuse for the compressor and turning it on with the motor warmed up. Eureka!!!! it works no issue thus far. a simple cable not mounted properly.
11:37am moutain time
It sure is nice when it does!!!!!!!
Barry
And you said you were clueless to this stuff!! Sounds like you narrowed it down pretty fast..can't beat a free and easy fix!!
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
but I am pretty clueless about this stuff, Corvettes are unique animals in their own right. but over the last 10 months researching, studying diagrams, taking time to ask questions and actually using the answers and applying them to the issues i have had. Ive learned a lot about the 82 corvette that I own.
Thanks Mike, for the areas to start looking
Marcus
You are more than welcome. In a previous life, on a planet far, far, away. That can only be seen though my rear view mirror. I "was" the resident A/C expert, and ASE certified. ( after quite a few classes in the school of hard knocks, and then there was those formalized ones they "made" me take.) Rule of Thumb for me is to find out what works and what does not on a peice by peice basis. Be thorough. Examine everything. Never just A$$ume that there is only one problem to be found. We are talking 30-40+ year old cars. Fix what needs to be fixed while you are there. Nothing more frustrating than to have to take something apart again and again, because I did not take the time to fix it the first time.
This would be true for most every single part of these cars. In my opinion anyway.
Again, You are more than welcome and I am happy to help.
Mike
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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