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  #1  
Old 05-11-2003, 05:21 PM
mhl0125 mhl0125 is offline
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A/C Compressor?

I charged my 134a system with refrigerant. Now my compressor and fan run for a few seconds, go off, come on again for a few seconds, go off, etc. I am not getting any cool air either. Any suggestions for a fix?
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  #2  
Old 05-11-2003, 05:31 PM
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do you know pressures on the high side? The trinary switch can make the system respond like this.
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Old 05-11-2003, 05:41 PM
mhl0125 mhl0125 is offline
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Lee,
You seem to be my savior today. No, how do I check pressures on the high side?
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1994 Barcelona Red SVX-LSI
Two-owner:169K
1995 Emerald Green SVX L AWD
#80 - Custom intake w/cone filter
99K with killer stereo system
2002 Acura MDX-Touring Edition w/navigation
2008 Toyota Prius
1987 Mercedes Benz 560SL
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  #4  
Old 05-11-2003, 05:50 PM
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well first you have to have a gauge (duh, I know, but I'm genetically inclined to be a smart-alek).

There should be a fitting on top of the receiver/drier which on my earlier SVX is to the left of the radiator (looking at the car - hood open) just behind the headlights.

The trinary switch is in that same area (again on my earlier model - don't know specifics for your year). you can find it by looking at the lines going into/out of the condenser - it will have a couple wires coming off it. What the trinary switch will do is shut off the system if the pressure rises too high, then allow it to come back on when it drops to an OK level. It also controls fan speed and/or the second fan. I have no idea how much you know about A/C, BTW I'm not a pro, so excuse me if I tell you stuff that seems obvious - it wasn't to me when I tried to get my system working.

Do you have the FSM or other checklist for problems? If not let me know and I'll try to run some stuff off and put it in a post or my locker or even e-mail it to you if you prefer.
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  #5  
Old 05-11-2003, 07:20 PM
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I don't remember who was having some problems like that a while back, and it was too much pressure. When they reduced the pressure, it started to run for a longer time, and when they finally got it down to the right pressure, it ran like it should. That is a good place to start anyway. Hope it does it for you.
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  #6  
Old 05-11-2003, 08:45 PM
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That's what was happening to me. I was using RedTek R12a though.
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Old 05-12-2003, 02:05 PM
mhl0125 mhl0125 is offline
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OK...this is all new to me and I am no mechanic. What type of gauge do I buy? Do I hook it up to ther valve which has a cover with the letter"h" on it? How do I reduce the pressure? I am starting at zero, so the most basic explanation would be appreciated. Thanks to all of you who are helping me on this one. A/C tinkering scares me.
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1994 Barcelona Red SVX-LSI
Two-owner:169K
1995 Emerald Green SVX L AWD
#80 - Custom intake w/cone filter
99K with killer stereo system
2002 Acura MDX-Touring Edition w/navigation
2008 Toyota Prius
1987 Mercedes Benz 560SL
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Old 05-12-2003, 02:51 PM
mhl0125 mhl0125 is offline
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Lee,
I don't have the FSM or any other documentation. Anything you could supply on the subject would be most helpful. Thanks.

Please see previous message.
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Michael
1994 Barcelona Red SVX-LSI
Two-owner:169K
1995 Emerald Green SVX L AWD
#80 - Custom intake w/cone filter
99K with killer stereo system
2002 Acura MDX-Touring Edition w/navigation
2008 Toyota Prius
1987 Mercedes Benz 560SL
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  #9  
Old 05-12-2003, 05:36 PM
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I've attached a document, hope this helps.

One could theoretically purge a bit of gas by a misapplication of the quick connect on the low side. HOWEVER, it is unlawful to vent R12 or 134 into the atmosphere. Federal law requires one to go to to a certified technician to lower the amount of freon (and hence pressure) if you determine that's the problem.

The place to hook up on the high side is on top of the reciever/drier, and the low side is of course by the compressor itself.

The typical gauges sold in Pep Boys or whatever work as both high and low pressure gauges (although you would have to buy two kits to have both gauges working at the same time - duh).

If you should somehow accidentally vent a bit of 134 by attaching the gauges, keep in mind you will have to clean off the engine bay. Rationale: when you next go to a certified shop the first thing they're gonna do is run a leak detector and you would show a false positive from residual oil, etc that got vented.

best of luck.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf fsm climate control.pdf (421.9 KB, 103 views)
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  #10  
Old 05-15-2003, 10:07 AM
mhl0125 mhl0125 is offline
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I backed of the pressure on the low side and now the fan and compressor don't keep going on and off. However, I am still not getting cold air, just luke cool air. The gauge says you shouldn't use it on the high side..it might be dangerous. I want to make sure the pressure on the high side is within limits. Can I use the gauge anyhow or is there another method.
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Michael
1994 Barcelona Red SVX-LSI
Two-owner:169K
1995 Emerald Green SVX L AWD
#80 - Custom intake w/cone filter
99K with killer stereo system
2002 Acura MDX-Touring Edition w/navigation
2008 Toyota Prius
1987 Mercedes Benz 560SL
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  #11  
Old 05-15-2003, 02:44 PM
lee lee is offline
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don't know exactly what to say. there are gauges meant for the high side pressure. you really need to kow the gauge readings from both sides to do much diagnostic work by gauge reading (which is a pretty good method).
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  #12  
Old 05-15-2003, 05:26 PM
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I wonder if you're having the same problem as I might be having. My A/C is fine provided I keep RPMs at or above 2k (my dad just added a can). Below that and I get slightly below luke warm temperature out of the vents.

Hooked up the gauge to the low side and found that the pressure would seem to be normal but then the compresser would stop and the pressure would rise into the red area (65 I believe). My dad would vent off the pressure (shhh...don't tell anyone) and the compresser would start up again.

Strange thing was that during the venting it only looked like air was coming out of the system. If the compresser kicked in during venting then it turned to mist.

My dad thinks that the compresser might be leaking pressure from the HP side to the LP side. Haven't had time or money to investigate further yet.

I've been driving it like this and so far the A/C has been fine whereas before the can was added there was no A/C. I didn't have any A/C at Reading.
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  #13  
Old 05-15-2003, 05:40 PM
lee lee is offline
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David,

As I said above, you really need to know both high and low side pressures to tell. Yes it could be your compressor, but it could be other stuff too.

I would suggest you get a pro to tell you what's wrong even if you don't have the cash to fix it. Near me it's only like $15 for a full system test. The best part is that's usually refundable if you later get the work done in the same place.

If you're worried about getting ripped off, then go to two places - at worst you're out another $15.

I can help somewhat in diagnosis, but when it came time to pull the freon out and put it back, I went to a pro. I just did the wrench turning in between, i.e., I had to replace my compressor (and receiver/drier - they're like a tag team).
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  #14  
Old 05-16-2003, 06:07 PM
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I don't think I'll bother right now. It's working acceptably well for the moment and I'll save up a little bit of money to have someone install the R134a retrofit for me when the time comes.
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