anyone know about car A/C?

the mechanic has shown me that the clutch thing is not engaging. At the same time, he is telling me the compressor isn't pushing the freon so is bad...

To replace the clutch is to replace the compressor in this vehicle... That I've looked up.

But if the clutch is what is bad (or something before the clutch), which they showed me it isn't engaging, then why in the world would my downstream components (drier/expansion valve things) be bad?

Now I'm thinking on why the clutch wouldn't engage. Fuses/belts are ruled out. I reckon need to check if the clutch thing is getting power in the first place.

 

Clutch probably isn't engaging because it came apart. In which case, the other two downstream components collected the debris and now they're shot too.

 

Did he show you the pressure in the system. If the r134a leaked out, the low pressure switch would stop the clutch from engaging. So all I am saying is just because its not engaging doesn't always mean its broke. I guess it come down to how much you trust this mechanic.

 

Oh yeah, that r12 got mighty pricey as soon as r134a came out.

Unfortunately, In Wisconsin, and Maine IIRC, you cannot simply buy r134a at an auto parts store. You need a permit here and in Maine.

You can however simply go to Illinois and buy it.

 

Amen.


I bet if I tried my AC on my jeep today, the clutch would not engage. Like every year prior to this for a couple at least, the system was low on refrigerant, and a the pressure gauges I have show that. Putting a can in will raise the pressure, and 1 more can will get it to the proper level.

 

I don't trust them. At all. In fact I suspect them of causing this. The timing is very odd. I am not actually claiming that happened though... Just in the back of my head. Mostly, they irritate the heck out of me the way they answer questions.

 

I know how you feel. They never answer your question and they talk down to you like you are an idiot.

 

It's very easy to simply open the cap, and press down on the schraeder valve and let out some refrigerant, then tell you you need all this work. Kind of makes you want to put a micro camera to catch them in the act.