Re: Re, Re, my first question

[hnuuhiwa@ccmailpc.ctron.com]

     I don't know if this will help, but it sure can't hurt!  First, the 
     suggestion you had from Autosports in Zeeland to check the over 
     pressure switch wouldn't work.  That switch controls the pressure 
     build-up in the system - when the pressure gets high the switch 
     closes, which cycles the fan on to force air through the condensor 
     thus lowering the A/C system pressure.
     
     There is a switch that controls (I think) the compressor clutch 
     engagement.  Its located underneath the black plenum covering in front 
     of the passenger side, below the windshield.  When my friend (who did 
     my A/C work on both my '86 and '88 5000s) charged up my system, he had 
     to short the switch in order to ensure that the clutch would engage 
     while charging.  Apparently, he said the switch controls the clutch in 
     the event that the system loses freon.  If there isn't and freon in 
     the system, the switch will prevent the clutch from engaging, 
     preventing the compressor from burning itself out.  It could be that 
     this switch is out.  I don't remember exactly where it is, but it had 
     two contacts and we would pull the connector off and short the 
     connector with a paper clip.  If you were to do the same thing, the 
     clutch should engage.  Assuming your system is fully charged, then I 
     would think that this switch is faulty.
     
     Its worth a shot.......HTH
     
     Henderson


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re, Re, my first question
Author:  jimbo <q45@i2k.com> at !INTERNET
Date:    6/30/97 11:12 PM


Phil and Judy Rose suggested I check the four function temperature 
switch on the underside of the radiator hose housing as a fix for my 86 
5000 air conditioner.
     
As far as the temperature gauge malfunction, Phil/Judy were 100% 
correct.  When I peeled back the rubber it was a mess.  Apparently 
coolant has been seeping through the switch for awhile.  It wasn blue, 
green yuck inside and three of the four wires were broken, coroded off. 
Shorting two wires caused the gauge to move.  Shorting any all of the 
others had no effect on my compressor though.  If I want my gauge to 
start working, I'll replace it, but I probalby won't, especially at $88.
     
A suggestion from Autosports in Zeeland, Michigan, was to check the 
overpressure switch located on the condensor/condenser? (the thing in 
front of the radiator by the drying thing.) (how's my terminology?) 
Disconnecting it and jumpering had no effect.  I found another connector 
in the same area and disconnected it.  Viola, the compressor started to 
run.  Reconnecting it had no affect, so I stopped the engine and 
restarted and tried the air again.  No luck, and disconnecting the same 
connector had no affect.  By the way it was the connection to the 
outside temp sensor which, per the diags, reads correctly.  The diags 
also tell me the control head is fine with a 00 reading.
     
Autosport told me pin 8 of the control head went through the pressure 
switch to relay 11.  He wasn't sure, but it might have gone through 
something else.  He also mentioned a relay on the carrier under the 
dash. Haven't checked that yet.  Heck of a nice guy, spent a 1/2 hour 
with me.  I might even be prompted to buy something from him out of 
guilt. 
     
Now that I know several things that it isn't, what if I connected a wire 
directly from pin 8 to the control side of relay 11?  Anybody with a 
good schematic confirm this for me?  I didn't re post my original, but 
if this relay is manually closed (by pinky) (my test relay has no 
cover), the compressor works fine and the car gets cool.  
     
I was also thinking of runing wires from the relay contact inside to a 
switch and turning it on.  Only problem is I don't know if the 
compressor will cycle or it is depending on this relay to do the 
cycling.  I could do the cycling myself, but I am sure to get 
distracted, leave it on too long and blow up the compressor.
     
Anyone with any other suggestions?  I could really use the air this 
holiday weekend as I have to take a 7 hour trip.