Ok, I seek the wisdom of the site. =) I have a slow leak in my freon in my AC. I have to recharge it usually once or twice a summer. I usually know when its time cuz the compressor will start engaging and disengaging more often and that makes the engine rev a bit. Well went to recharge it tonight and the compressor wont engage at all. So my question. Did the freon levels get so low that the compressor wont engage and if so, is there any way I can Trigger it? Is the compressor a part that can just be swapped out? I know next to nothing about AC units other than hook up the hose, push the button and shake the can to refill =) any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

Take off your LP switch commector, dtsrt emgine and jump the two pins. Wgat you're doing is bypassing the KO switch. Don't do it too long without some freon hooked up though or you will be buying a nre compressor. Take some soapy water and pour it over your connections. Where it bubbles there is a leak. "O" rings are cheap.

 

Agreed, your compressor will not turn engage if the refrigerant gets too low.
The low pressure switch is located on the accumulator (the silver looking can where you put the refrigerant in). Unplug the the wire harness from the low pressure switch and "jump" it. i usually use a paper clip to jump from one terminal to the other terminal in the harness. Start the vehicle and turn on the a/c. The compressor will most likely engage. At this point you'll need to decide if you want to charge it again and have it leak out, or buy some refrigerant with dye in it to see if you can spot the leak. "o" rings are often the cause of leaks and are easy to replace, but you'll need to have the system purged before you can work on it.
Keep us posted

 

Thanks for the info guys. I will have to hit the auto parts store and pick up another can of freon and give this a try. I hope it works or its gonna be a long hot summer =)

 

By the way they now make freon with some kind of leak sealer in it. Haven't tried it myself, but know some guys who have. About 50/50 on results. I think it depends on how bad the leak is.

 

I didn't know they made freon with leak sealer but good to know.

 

Worked like a charm guys. Thank you very much.