2005 SLE Air Conditioning Failure

[cosmicdust]

In the last three days I experienced the following:

Wednesday morning on the way to work, about 10 minutes into my drive, the A/C stopped pushing out cold air. Pressing the A/C button, toggling the light on and off accomplished nothing. Fan kept blowing, but no cold air.

Wednesday evening, on the way home, it worked fine at first, then...about 10 minutes into my drive, failed again. Same symptoms.

Thursday morning, same deal. 10 minutes in, fail. Has not worked since.

Other than listening, I do not know how to tell if the compressor clutch is engaging. I do know that when the engine is idling, and you toggle the A/C switch on (lit), there is no click, no difference in the engine's operation, nothing.

I was going to try and recharge the system, but if the compressor isn't running, how can I add refrigerant?

I checked the fuse (#32), it appears to be fine, un-"blown". I had not pulled the relay yet...how would I test that in any case?

My concern is that the clutch or compressor itself is bad.

Help!

[leatherneck]

If it is too low it will not engage, but as soon as you put the cool juice in, it will bring up the pressure enough to kick the compressor on.

To tell if the compressor is running the center of the pulley will be turning. If it isn't running the center of the compressor will not be turning with the engine running.

Hope that helps a wee bit...

[cosmicdust]

I get it...just opening the valve will add enough pressure to kick the compressor on?

I'll try that!

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

No, you need a can of R134a to pressurize the system enough. Get a can with a gauge, then with the A/C on max, the fan on full speed, and all the windows open, add just enough to get the system working.

Don't forget to purge the line from the can to the fitting on the A/C line by letting out a little bit before charging your A/C system.