AC Clutch???

Remember I am a 72 yr. old novice who learns as he goes..Sometimes good sometimes not so good!!!

Last week took her for a ride. AC worked great...parked for a couple of hours, got in fired up the AC and nothing but hot air!!

Have read a lot of threads posted by others and have similar issues.

The Ac CLUTCH FUSE keeps blowing.

I have pulled the wire (RED) leading to the clutch on the compressor to check for shorting of any sort...Does not seem to be the issue....

Pulled the connector apart and stuck the ammeter between the two (Connecting points of the red wire) w/relay in place (Located on passenger side under hood firewall) reading was ~6-7.

When I unplugged the relay got a reading of ~.6.

I don't know what the reading is supposed to be.

Before I start to take everything apart and possibly order a new compressor I would relay appreciate any insight from all of the experience I have seen displayed.

Please help!!

Thanks

Softball60/Paul

 

Paul,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XJS forum. More members with the same model will see it here.

Graham

 

Thanks Graham,

Wasn't sure how I was supposed to post.

Softball60/Paul

 

So you're saying the AC compressor is pulling 6 or 7 amps?I believe the fuse for that circuit is 5 amps so not surprising it's blowing.

What is the resistance of of the compressor clutch? Measure the resistance of the clutch from between the red wire and ground. Post that information here.

I still think your system is over-charged but let's start with the clutch.

 

Thorsen,

Thanks for responding.

I got ahead of myself and based on my result I pulled the compressor.

1. Virtually no freon. A couple of tablespoons full
2. Pressure was ZERO both low and high
3. Compressor had no oil when I pulled the plug and turned upside down to drain. Did get a tiny bit of freon/oil????? mix coming out of the back end of the compressor after turning the pulley with the unit standing on end.
4. With compressor pulled on bench w/wire still in tact (1.9-2.0)

I bought new AC Dryer, New Compressor and "O" ring kit.

After I receive the new parts, I am going to use a vacuum pump and pull a vacuum after I reassemble.

 

In for a penny, in for a pound.

You might as well buy or make new hoses. I normally budget $100 to make new hoses but if you don't have a crimper that might not be realistic.

If it was my car I'd probably take a really long look at the condenser, too. It's pretty exposed at the front of the car and takes a beating from rocks.

While replacing hoses and condensers might seem like overkill you didn't identify the source of the leak. The hoses don't last forever and the condenser is right up front. The only other component is the evaporator and that's not a job for the faint of heart.

 

You may as well throw in an expansion valve too.
Not expensive.

 

I will probably take your advice.

It will be a couple of weeks before I report on progress. Waiting for parts!!!!!

I see that you are from Chicago. Lived there from 199-2004.

Greatest City on Earth!! and my job took me all over the world!!! Lived in a bunch of places including China, Brazil, Scotland, Mexico

Thanks

Softball60/Paul