A/C Compressor?

[95naSTA]

I got a low pressure code and the compressor wasn't engaging. I cleared the code while I watched the compressor and it would catch for a second, disengage, catch for a second, disengage, catch for a second, then just give up.

When I cleared the code from inside the car I could tell when the compressor engaged from the idle and there would be a small burst of cool air each of the 3 times it caught.

FWIW it was blowing cold consistantly right up untill it stopped, and I don't see any dye anywhere.

Any ideas?

[J Wikoff]

Was there dye in your system already? There are AC system pressure testers available. Your freon is low, the compressor is suddenly unable to pressurize, or the pressure switch went bad. Those are the things that come to my mind.

[95naSTA]

Yes, there was dye from before.

The plan was to pick up a pressure tester tonight or tomorrow.

Is it normal for the compressor engage/disengauge 3 times do to lack of pressure or just once?

[J Wikoff]

Well, I don't know for your year. My 92 will just keep on doing it over and over... maybe if it gets low enough, it'll give up, but I haven't let it get low enough?

[GM Collector]

From my experience with my Eighty Eight, the compressor kept kicking on and off over and over again it was so annoying! I did a quick DIY re-charge and it's been fine for over a year now.

[RJolly87]

In the case of my '93, if it is low, the compressor will cycle. If it is too low, the compressor will cycle a couple of times, than quits trying. But we are talking really low though.

[GM Collector]

If it is so low the compressor wont kick on I think you can jump it.

[RJolly87]

Odd, I always would have thought that there is enough pressure in the charge cans to at least trigger the compressor to fire.

[turkeykiller]

On my 1996 it I put a can in (BIG ONE) . The compressor was going kicking in for a couple of seconds and then stoped. My pressure was staying at around 20psi. Put an other can, my pressure got up to 35psi. The compressor kicked in and working like new

Good luck I would add an other can, if theres no leaks

[1fatcat]

Sounds like its low on refrigerant. The two most common areas I have seen leak are the condenser and the compressor. Look for oily wet areas on the compressor (you may need to distinguish between A/C and engine oil) and the bottom corners of the condenser. The system cycles fast when pressure is too low and on the newer cars, the control module will dissable the compressor if pressure is too low. It does this to protect the compressor. If a compressor is run too long with low refrigerant, it will destroy itself. If you can't see any big leaks (oily wet spots), try filling the system and see how long it lasts. You may have a very small leak and a recharge could last a couple of years.

[95naSTA]

I bought a pressure tester and saw that it was a little low.

I added a small can and it's working good now.

Thanks for the help guys.