How does the AC compressor work?
08-01-2003, 08:27 AM
#1
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How does the AC compressor work?
Ok, so my compressor isn't kicking on when the AC button is depressed. Last weekend I decided I would see if I could troubleshoot the problem. There is a single wire connected to the compressor that looks like it goes to the firewall, then there is the belt that I'm assuming powers the compressor. From what I can tell there are no other wires connecting to it. Does the compressor kick on when it recieves a signal from the AC switch on the dash? If so, is there anyway to replicate this signal so that I can try and trouble-shoot this?
There is a little history here. I had it at the dealer before to have it looked at. At first they said it was the AC control unit, which was replaced, but didn't fix the problem, so the put the old one back. They said the compressor kicked on properly when they ran a jumper to it. But they also ended up frying the ECU in their troubleshooting process (which got replaced) so I'm not really sure how to take the info I got from there..
I really would like to get the AC working, even if its a cheap ghetto, always on type fix that I can undo when the summer is over. I have a long trip coming up at the end of the month that I would like to have it for =\
There is a little history here. I had it at the dealer before to have it looked at. At first they said it was the AC control unit, which was replaced, but didn't fix the problem, so the put the old one back. They said the compressor kicked on properly when they ran a jumper to it. But they also ended up frying the ECU in their troubleshooting process (which got replaced) so I'm not really sure how to take the info I got from there..
I really would like to get the AC working, even if its a cheap ghetto, always on type fix that I can undo when the summer is over. I have a long trip coming up at the end of the month that I would like to have it for =\
08-01-2003, 11:25 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 216
Was it a Nissan dealer????
Try and change the A/C relay. It's under the hood. You can try tapping on it, it sometimes comes to life.
When the dealer jumped to compressor did the A/c get cold??? If you have no gas the compressor will not come on.
Try and change the A/C relay. It's under the hood. You can try tapping on it, it sometimes comes to life.
When the dealer jumped to compressor did the A/c get cold??? If you have no gas the compressor will not come on.
08-01-2003, 12:08 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 179
You need to see if your compessor is good by applying some voltage (12v) to the wire coming out from the compressor. If you hear the clutch engaging then the compressor is fine.
If it doesnt then you need to rebuild/replace it.
If its fine then you need to check and see what your pressures (hi and low) are in your system. If you are low on refrigerant, then you need to to it off. If you are empty then you need to pull a vacuum and see if theres a leak and if yes find and repair it.
Check our www.ackits.com and you will find much info on ac systems.
If it doesnt then you need to rebuild/replace it.
If its fine then you need to check and see what your pressures (hi and low) are in your system. If you are low on refrigerant, then you need to to it off. If you are empty then you need to pull a vacuum and see if theres a leak and if yes find and repair it.
Check our www.ackits.com and you will find much info on ac systems.
08-02-2003, 08:51 AM
#4
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Originally posted by abunai
Was it a Nissan dealer????
Try and change the A/C relay. It's under the hood. You can try tapping on it, it sometimes comes to life.
When the dealer jumped to compressor did the A/c get cold??? If you have no gas the compressor will not come on.
Was it a Nissan dealer????
Try and change the A/C relay. It's under the hood. You can try tapping on it, it sometimes comes to life.
When the dealer jumped to compressor did the A/c get cold??? If you have no gas the compressor will not come on.
They didn't say whether it got cold or not, just that the compressor came on. I specifically asked them if the compressor would come on if there wasn't any refrigerant left and they told me that wouldn't make a difference. grr
Thanks for all the info.
08-03-2003, 11:42 AM
#8
It will NOT come on if it's too low on refridgerant. that should be the first thing to check at this point. don't take it back to the dealer- go to an auto air specialist. they usually work with you on stuff like this instead of just taking the car from you and charging you to fix some BS problem that the dealer points out.
08-03-2003, 12:03 PM
#9
Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 216
If you don't have a gauge set, your just shooting in the dark. I would forget everything the dealer told you.
If you want to try and fix it yourself and do it right, you'll need to invest in about $2000.00 worth of equipment, minimum. If not, take it so a reputable shop.
Repairing vehicals is not as easy as people think. It's easy if you know what your doing nad nothing goes wrong. But what you pay a good machanic for is their talent to repair the vehical when something goes wrong. If your not sure what your doing you will do more harm that good.
If you want to try and fix it yourself and do it right, you'll need to invest in about $2000.00 worth of equipment, minimum. If not, take it so a reputable shop.
Repairing vehicals is not as easy as people think. It's easy if you know what your doing nad nothing goes wrong. But what you pay a good machanic for is their talent to repair the vehical when something goes wrong. If your not sure what your doing you will do more harm that good.
09-27-2003, 01:34 AM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1
Did you ever get the AC compressor working???
My 92 GXE has similar symptoms but the problem seems to be intermittant. It corrects itself for a while and then comes back. I notice that my remote mirrors and the windshield wipers fail to work at the same time that the Ac compressor fails to work.
I, like you left it for a while but I got got caught with no wipers, and that is a problem here on the wet coast of Canada.
If you got it your problem fixed, I would appreciate knowing about it.
My 92 GXE has similar symptoms but the problem seems to be intermittant. It corrects itself for a while and then comes back. I notice that my remote mirrors and the windshield wipers fail to work at the same time that the Ac compressor fails to work.
I, like you left it for a while but I got got caught with no wipers, and that is a problem here on the wet coast of Canada.
If you got it your problem fixed, I would appreciate knowing about it.
09-27-2003, 08:10 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 427
There's lots of good help at this forum www.aircondition.com
Click on the 'straight to the board' link.
Cheers.
Click on the 'straight to the board' link.
Cheers.
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