XJS ( X27 ) 1975 - 1996 3.6 4.0 5.3 6.0

1996 XJS air conditioner stopped working

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Old Oct 10, 2017 | 05:24 PM
  #1  
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Default 1996 XJS air conditioner stopped working

Folks,

As always thanks for allowing me to share my issues. Just today here in sunny hot!!!!!Venice, FL I took the CAT our for a ride.

So hot..turned on the air conditioner and it worked beautifully as always....
Never had any issues with the air conditioner system.

Got to my destination parked the car returned about 2- 1/2 hrs. later to return home. Turned on the air conditioner but got nothing but HOT AIR!!!!!

It didn't sound like the compressor kicked on??

Most likely issue:

1. Hopefully just a fuse/relay??......Where is the potential culprit? Engine compartment or inside the vehicle...Can't tell from my Service manual. Looked in the general help section but couldn't find anything.

It was really hot ~93 degree's.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks

Paul
 
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Old Oct 10, 2017 | 07:28 PM
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You can see if the compressor kicked on. Look at the front of it, and see if it turns (not just the pulley)

Check the fuses and the relays.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 08:50 AM
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The compressor is not kicking on!! Checked the relay and it seems to be clicking in and out when power applied offline.

It does not look like there is any freon in the site glass which is hard to believe as it was running perfectly. I have some freon and when I connected the can to the system the gauge went immediately to high pressure at the maximum reading.

Can someone explain what this is indicating?

Thanks

Paul/Softball60
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 09:59 AM
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Did a little more and found the 5A fuse under the passenger side panel. It was blown.

Put in a new fuse turned on the system and started to feel cold air. The fuse then blew again.

So, now it is narrowed down to something is causing the compressor clutch from staying engaged.

Again noticed that the Pressure on the refrigerant was extremely high when I tried to connect a new can of freon.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Softball60/Paul
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 10:08 AM
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What was the pressure reading you got? You’re gonna need to know the low side and high side pressures, as well as the ambient temperature of the air. They’re all connected...

Either that or vacuum all the refrigerant out and charge with 34 oz of refrigerant. (R134a)
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 10:41 AM
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By overfilling thensystem, you're more than likelymto cause more damage.

Get the system filled correctly. Means vacume, refil, new oil.

The reason the fuse blows? Too much draw from the magnetic clutch can cause the fuse to blow. That is probably the only part that causes the fuse to blow, unless the Delanair is a lottle wonky... But that shouldn't be the case.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 10:45 AM
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When I attached the freon to the low side?? the gauge immediately was in the red zone 80-100 range.

I'm not 100% sure that the clutch was engaged and the compressor was still running.

What are some of the typical things that would cause the clutch to keep kicking out.

If the pressure shows high and the clutch kicks in but has too much to push against is that why it is blowing.

Could this mean something is plugged.

It does not look like there is any freon looking through the site gauge.

Vee, Any suggestions, ideas are appreciated.

Softball60/Paul
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 10:53 AM
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Air con systems are filled when the engine is OFF so not running. But if it was cold in the first place, why are you filling more into it? You won't get a better cooling by using more r134a. You'll just trigger the high pressure switch more frequent.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 11:49 AM
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I have always filled the system with the engine running so that the compressor can function properly.

I never refilled the system because the moment I attached the fitting to the fill side and it registered over pressure. So I did not try to put any freon in.

Here is the question:

What kind of issue can cause the clutch fuse to keep blowing??

1. Is something plugged up causing the high pressure.
2. Is the compressor gone bad and leaked not allowing the system to be refilled.
3. Some kind of bad valve

Your responses are appreciated!!

Thanks

Softball60/Paul
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 12:29 PM
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By filling it with the engine running you are increasing the pressure in the system. When the high pressure side has a higher pressure, you trigger the switch. That is why properly filled, you use the high AND low pressure connectors.

What fuse did you replace? What was it 'called' (what fuse number on which fuse panel?)? Doesn't have to be the compressor causing the problem. It will be something drawing too much current...
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 12:37 PM
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It is the 5A compressor clutch fuse under the passenger side knee bolster
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 01:03 PM
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I think you need a new filter/dryer, clogged filter/dryer
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 01:39 PM
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Well if it is the fuse for the compressor it is the compressor.

What compressor do you have? The Sanden 510 or what ever it was called?

If it was an A6 I'd tell you on the spot what it could be...
 
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Old Jun 21, 2024 | 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Softball60
The compressor is not kicking on!! Checked the relay and it seems to be clicking in and out when power applied offline.

It does not look like there is any freon in the site glass which is hard to believe as it was running perfectly. I have some freon and when I connected the can to the system the gauge went immediately to high pressure at the maximum reading.

Can someone explain what this is indicating?

Thanks

Paul/Softball60
Sounds like we have a similar problem with our Jaguars and their A/C system. I can't get my compressor to start, but it is not blowing fuses. Mine is a 1995 and as such does not have a sight glass. How did you resolve your issue? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jerry
 

Last edited by Jerry's Jag; Jun 21, 2024 at 06:08 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Jun 21, 2024 | 04:11 PM
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Jerry,

You may want to invest $60 in an AC Manifold for. harbor Freight, or Amazon, then youll Be able to diagnose and charge up your system without having to add any “sealers” which just kicks the can down the road for a much more costly repair.

Lots of info on YouTube, and the jag AC system is nothing unusual, rare or different.

Basically, I suspect you have leaked out your refrigerant. Probably your condenser coil in front of the radiator. With the right tools, it’s rather straightforward to replace. It can also be a leaking high or low pressure valve, which is even easier to replace with the right tools. You may want to get a black light to see if someone might have filled it with a little bit of dye in the past.

Theres also a pressure sensor, which you can short to see if it’s causing your problem, but it’s not a common problem.

The expansion valve might be blocked up, which would require a recharge of your system.

Lastly, your co press or could just be shot. An AC manifold would be the best tool to diagnose and repair. If not, just take it to the shop and get it down by the pros. No way to troubleshoot any other way.
 

Last edited by Vee; Jun 21, 2024 at 04:15 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2024 | 06:30 AM
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Bought and installed a rebuilt compressor. Kept the original unit to rebuild in case the rebuilt unit failed. The rebuilt unit is still working great after almost seven (7) yrs.

Softball60/Paul
 
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Old Jun 22, 2024 | 08:33 AM
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To All,

should have mentioned that the original compressor seal failed. You could see where it was covered in fluid.

thanks

Softball60/Paul
 
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