Good lord, now it's the air conditioner!

[Huskymaniac]

Worked yesterday when it was hot out. Worked this morning when it was cool. Completely dead this afternoon. It had been blowing quite cold until now. The climate system is on. I hear some noises behind he dash when I turn the system to AUTO but the air is warm/hot. The belt is on the compressor. The compressor lines are warm/hot. What do I check first? My code reader won't be here for a while but I am bringing it back to the mechanic tomorrow to look for that dye in the PS fluid.

[Wikedjuggalo]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

Worked yesterday when it was hot out. Worked this morning when it was cool. Completely dead this afternoon. It had been blowing quite cold until now. The climate system is on. I hear some noises behind he dash when I turn the system to AUTO but the air is warm/hot. The belt is on the compressor. The compressor lines are warm/hot. What do I check first? My code reader won't be here for a while but I am bringing it back to the mechanic tomorrow to look for that dye in the PS fluid.

Most likely a freon leak. Get yourself the kit that has the dye and put it on the lower side pressure following instructions. The kit should come with a pressure gauge, will at least tell you if you have pressure or not.

This is fine so long as your car is not using the old R-12. 94+ are fine and 92 that has been converted is fine too.

My leak was right on the compressor where the low side pressure line connects. Price was like $2 for a set of o rings (only needed one of out it).

[Hocrest]

For it to work fine, then all of a sudden nothing I would suspect something other than a leak.

Do the radiator fans start when you turn on the AC?
Does the compressor clutch engage when you turn the AC on?
In the "How To" there are instructions on getting HVAC error codes...
Is the temp gauge running hotter than normal.

[1986nate]

My laguna's a/c randomly stopped working one day. Turned out while my mom was driving it, a rock/stone must have bounced up and hit the condenser. There was a hole we found when we put the dye in.

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by Hocrest

For it to work fine, then all of a sudden nothing I would suspect something other than a leak.

Do the radiator fans start when you turn on the AC?
Does the compressor clutch engage when you turn the AC on?
In the "How To" there are instructions on getting HVAC error codes...
Is the temp gauge running hotter than normal.

Fans are working fine.
I'm not sure if the clutch is engaging but I don't see the RPMs move so I think not.
I will look for the code instructions, thanks.
The temp gauge is in its normal spot!!!!

[Mike621]

There is a 10amp fuse for the A/C in the underhood fusebox. Check that first.

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by Mike621

There is a 10amp fuse for the A/C in the underhood fusebox. Check that first.

I didn't get a chance to put an ohmmeter on it but it didn't look blown. I also pushed down the compressor relay but I guess that may have failed. I'll say this, getting the fuse cover back on was a pain. I still don't think it is sitting on there right.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by Hocrest

For it to work fine, then all of a sudden nothing I would suspect something other than a leak.

Do the radiator fans start when you turn on the AC?
Does the compressor clutch engage when you turn the AC on?
In the "How To" there are instructions on getting HVAC error codes...
Is the temp gauge running hotter than normal.

If the freon pressure is too low, it passes a threshold where the pressure switch interrupts the signal to the compressor right? Maybe his pressure went too low from a leak.

[Hocrest]

But other than Nate's experience with a rock causing a hole. Usually a leak is cold, not so cold but still working, warm but still working, warm and not working.

[dcarrb]

If the compressor clutch assembly isn't turning with the pulley, the clutch isn't engaging.

Any chance you inadvertently whacked, torqued, or yanked some AC wiring, hose, or fitting while troubleshooting your PS leak? Seems quite a coincidence that your AC would just up and quit while you're trying to diagnose another problem in that neighborhood.

dcb

[RojoRocket]

When you state the fans are working normally, do you mean that the passenger side cooling fan runs with the A/C "ON (Auto, set below ambient temp"), and does not run when switched "OFF"? This is, I believe normal operation, with the Cooling fan 1 being thermostatically controlled by engine temp. Check A/C cooling fan 2 fuse underhood, a 25A fuse in my '97 if not operating as described. If operating as described I would also suspect refrigerant level problem/leak?

Glenn

[LetItSnow]

Does this need to be in FAQ's and How-To's?

Originally Posted by Subaru SVX Owner's Manual

Welcome to your new Subaru SVX Project Car! We have intentionally left several pages in the back of your operator's manual blank for your convenience to compile the following lists:

* Things that need repairing
* Things that need adjusting
* Things that need replacing
* Things that haven't been Dremel'd yet (optional)

Appendix A contains a list of common explitives that may be used when your car's hood is open or when it is in the air. Please see your local Subaru dealer for any updates to this list in TSB form.

FWIW, there is a super cool HVAC controller diagnostic around here somewhere...

[RojoRocket]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

Does this need to be in FAQ's and How-To's?
Does this need to be in FAQ's and How-To's?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Subaru SVX Owner's Manual
Welcome to your new Subaru SVX Project Car! We have intentionally left several pages in the back of your operator's manual blank for your convenience to compile the following lists:

* Things that need repairing
* Things that need adjusting
* Things that need replacing
* Things that haven't been Dremel'd yet (optional)

Appendix A contains a list of common explitives that may be used when your car's hood is open or when it is in the air. Please see your local Subaru dealer for any updates to this list in TSB form.



FWIW, there is a super cool HVAC controller diagnostic around here somewhere...

[SoCal LS-L]

There are 20 different spots where a leak can form, and it can go from cold to not working in an instant due to the pressure switch keeping the compressor from engaging.

No compressor engagement = No freon circulation/cooling

If the system merely gets less cold over time until finally just blows warm and the compressor still runs, be prepared to buy a new compressor (and pressure switch).

Low freon/oil + compressor operation = Compressor borkage

I can attest that you can lose all of your freon in a 15 minute period if an internal compressor seal goes.

[LetItSnow]

Ah, here it is:
<Service Manual - AC - Heater -Automatic>
The control diagnostic starts on page 8.