[V8] AC Failure (Paperclip confession)

[Jeremy Ward]

I drove 400 miles this weekend with the paper clip as a temporary fix (a
buddy of mine in town is selling me a used high pressure switch today),
but let me say a few things to anyone who might try this...

That high pressure switch is there to prevent the pressure from getting
too high and blowing a hose, compressor, etc.  The worst part is that
you might loose you expensive R12 refrigerant.  :-)  There are a few
things that can cause high pressure in your system where you might want
that safety switch installed.  Does your electric fan work to cool the
radiator & condenser?  Is the rest of your AC system fully functional in
every other way and you are sure the problem is a failed high pressure
switch?

List price on this switch is $150, but there are a ton of used ones out
there as it was used on MANY Audi models using R12.  Even if you pay
$150 for a brand new switch, that is a small fraction of the cost (just
2hrs labor, and no parts!) of having someone work on your AC after the
pressure gets too high and breaks something.

OK, I am slapping my own hand here, but let me say that although I used
the paper clip trick, I ONLY used the AC on the freeway cruising at
70mph.  In town and traffic, I turned it over to econ.  I couldn't
afford taking a chance at dumping any more money into the AC system.
:-)

Along those $$ lines, I came out to a flat tire this morning.  I had
noticed the screw the last time I washed the car and watched if for my
trip on Saturday.  Dropped it off this morning to get it plugged and
they said they refuse to work on it...  Although the tires have 50% left
on them, there is a little secondary rubber showing where the outside
shoulders are worn (it used to be on the front).  I am going to see if
one of the other tire places will plug it for me, if not I am screwed
(no pun intended), as I can't afford to dump any more into her right
now.

Anyone know of some URs4 with good Z rated tires near Portland for under
$100?  Must be dreaming again...  :-)

- Jeremy

-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces+jward=mti-interactive.com at audifans.com
[mailto:v8-bounces+jward=mti-interactive.com at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
David Lyddall
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 9:22 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: [V8] AC Failure (Paperclip confession)

Not that I want to get shot down, but my 90 V8 had a paperclip in the
high
pressure switch connector when I bought it 5 years ago.  I had the a/c
serviced shortly thereafter and replaced the switch.  No leaks detected,
but
I don't think the new switch solved the problem.  Anyway, it's 5 years
later, the a/c still blows icy cold and there is still a paperclip
lurking
up front.

 

The car will probably blow up next time I drive it now.

 

On a separate question - my brake pedal has a really weird sort of
kick-back.  When you press down it gives a sort of single kick back up.
The
only other car I have ever felt this on was my mother's 1981 200 turbo
which
did it for the whole time she owned it.  Any ideas?

 

Dave

 

StyleTrack Investment Advisors

     Phone:        (801) 305 1026

     Toll free:     (888) 704 401k

     Fax:           (530) 303 0023

 

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