I just purchased an '01 DII a week and a half ago. The a/c wasn't working, discovered that the condenser fan was locked up and blowing the fuse, order fan and replaced today, still no a/c clutch engagement. I have checked the a/c fuses in both boxes, new fan is working, pulled and reintalled relay several times as well as the connection at the compressor. I also went directly to the battery from the compressor and the clutch engaged. Where do I go from here? I have searched to no avail. Thanks in advance. BTW, I love the DII, can't wait to get the a/c working.

 

I assume you checked your refrigerant pressure?

 

I will have to jump the compressor again and check the pressure. You can't check the pressure if the compressor isn't running. I also did the manual diagnostic per Rave, no errors there.

 

The compressor won't turn on if there is low pressure so try to add some r134a and see if it kicks on.

 

Actually, you can. You can check the static pressure, which will tell you that you either have nothing in there (no pressure), no liquid refrigerant (less than 85 or so PSI, depending on ambient temp), or non compressible gases in there (more than 85 or so PSI, depending on ambient temp). This is exactly where you start BEFORE taking dynamic pressures or jumping the low pressure cut off.

 

Can I use the gauge on the 134a refill canister to check the static pressure? Or do I need a different type of gauge? Or as lipadj46 said, can I just add some 134a and see if that works?

 

If you don't have a proper set of gauges, find someone who does. A gauge on a canister doesn't tell you much.

Can you just add some and see if it works? Well, here's the deal: if its already charged fully, overcharged, or has non compressible gases in it and isn't running because of a bad low pressure switch and you add more, what do you think is going to happen when you finally fix it? If you overcharge it, it will cause problems.

I got so tired of covering the basics of this on so many forums that I took one of my more complete posts and put it here:
http://blarg.introspect.net/?p=7

That ought to explain enough for you to know why you need a proper set of gauges and the basic ideas behind charging a system and when/why you would need to.

 

You can get a set of AC gauges and a vacuum pump for $130 from Harbor Freight and DIY properly. I have the HF gauges and pump and so far they have paid for themselves many times over. Sure they are not USA made but so far they agree with a more expensive gauge I have and they have lasted.

 

thanks DarylJ, the article is great. I'll have to get a set of gauges and test the system. DarylJ, your name always makes me look twice, I'm actually DarylB.

Update:It's blowing cold now. thanks for the help, my wife appreciates as much as I do.