My a/c stopped working yesterday I looked at the compressor and its not turning on. I don't know what to do next?

 

Check your simple stuff first, fuses, relay, wires, etc.

 

You might have a leak that allowed the R134A (refrigerant gas) to leak out and the low pressure sensor won't allow the compressor to run and destroy the compressor.

 

I was reading something like trying to use a jumper to start the compressor to see if it will work. Where do I put the wires to do that?

 

The compressor will cycle when it is given 12 volts.


The positive terminal of the battery provides 12 volts.

 

I am looking at the a/c relay and I see 1,2,3,4,5 where do I have to put the wires?

 

You can jumper it at the pressure switch. It is located between the battery and headlight area next to the radiator and condenser. Unplug the switch that is in the dryer (aluminum cylinder with 2 tubes) and use a piece of wire in the connector.

 

Do I take one piece of wire and put in the connector and then to the battery?

 

Jump directly to the positive terminal of the battery. The compressor will turn if its clutch is good. If so, chances are that you are low on r-134. Get a fill kit at the parts store. If you only need to fill it once a year or so, call it good. Cheaper to add more gas than to fix the problem. It might make sense to find the leak if you need to fill up once a month or more

 

Just jump pin 1 to pin 3 on the pressure switch harness. I wouldn't run ac for long like that before refilling with refrigerant.

 

What colors wires are pin 1 and 3?

 

If you pull the connector off of the pressure switch by the battery, jumper Pin 1 to pin 4 in the wire harness connector - pin 1 = green with black stripe, pin 4 = light green with red stripe.

What I feel is easier to do is remove the air conditioner relay and put a jumper in the socket from pin 3 to 5. Look on the bottom of the relay for pin numbers. The power steering relay is by the power steering oil reservoir.

 

Does the power steering relay tie into the compressor wires?

 

No they are separate. I'm sure Dennis meant that the A/C relay is next to the power steering oil reservoir.

 

What would the best way to find the freon leak?

 

1) Look for obvious oil stains
2) Put leak detection dye in the system and use a UV light to see where it leaks out
3) Have a shop with a refrigerant sniffer locate it

 

Finding the Freon leak.


You have options.
1. Add r-134 until the pressure meter indicates it is charged. If the A/C works now, you win. If it keeps its charge, you win. If you need to add a can of refrigerant once a summer, feed its habit.


2. If the R-134 leaks out too fast, you will need to actually fix the leak that causes the problem.


3. Open the windows and drive the car. That is what we did before A/C became common.


You say that you do not have much money. Options 1 or 3 apply in your case.


Have you connected your compressor lead to the positive terminal of the battery while the car is running yet? This is the easiest way to see if the problem is just that you are low on 134.


You are over thinking this. Does it have enough 134 or not?

 

I connected the wires and the compressor came on. It looks like I am low on freon. To add freon do I need to have the compressor running or can I just add the freon without having it on?

 

1. you need to buy a kit that has the r-134. it will have a can of r-134,and a hose. Buy the kit that has a meter. It will help you put in the right amount of gas. not too much, not too little. Re-attach the wire you dis-conmnected. Now turn the engine on. Look for the light green cap right next to the p/s fluid container. Remove cap, attachj hose to the kit. It is a good idea to have a dishpan full of hot water to put the can into. It will help it fill the car quicker. Follow the instructions on the kit. Quit adding when the guaage reads Normal. Usually one can is enough, but you might need two. It really is that easy.

 

I just bought the kit with a meter and when I connected the hose did not start the car yet to put the freon in. The gauge shows in the red meaning that it overfilled is that a normal?

 

You need the compressor running to get an accurate high and low side pressure reading.

Does you kit provide instructions for charging and what to do if your high side is too low and the low side is too low?

 

First get the engine running. Then turn the a/c switch on the dashboard to ON. Now do the filling. Please do some research opn you own, like on youtube, the net, haynes anything. There is bound to be information on this forum, do a search. We are here to help you, not spoon-feed you. Read the instructions that come with the kit. It is not rocket science.

 

Filled it with freon and the compressor still did not come on.

 

Did you re-connect the wire from the compressor? Is the A/C switch on the dashboad on? If the plug is connected and the a/c switch is on, the compressor should have kicked in once you got enough pressure in the system.

 

Everything is plugged in and the a/c switch does show on but nothing happens.

 

Time for a shop or roll down the windows I guess. I have told you how I did this on my Maxima, a 94 nissan pickup, an 84 nissan pickup and other cars. THis should have worked. Now check your fuses like the other members have mentioned . Iam out of suggestions. Good luck.

 

How much Freon did you put into the system in oz? Seems like it is still low.

 

Check whether the voltage is too low ... or a capacitive load is too heavy or burned down ... I suggest to find a professional repair it.

 

THe first thing to do is to determine if the system is holding pressure or if there is a leak.

Use the pressure gauge on the can to determine how much freon is in the system.

If u added freon and the pressure does not go past zero, then the system is not holding pressure and u have a leak. Like others have suggested, get the freon with dye to locate the leak.

If u dont have a leak and the system is holding pressure, keep adding freon until the guage needle is in the green. The fans should kick on. If the fans do not kick on, then u have a more difficult problem and report back your findings