OK here's the deal, I don't have AC and would like to have it. As none of my cars ever had AC, I don't know anything about it. I know I have factory air, but does not work.

Can you guys help me out in simple terms and I do I need any special tools?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

I would really like to be like the rest of yall

 

If everything is there you just need to make sure that it is full of refrigerant and make sure that the compressor is being turned on.

It had R12 in it but if it is empty get the adaptors and put R134 in along with R134 oil and it should work, should

 

You may want to take it somewhere and pay the money. It isnt too difficult but you may need special tools.
to check it. Start the engine and turn a/c controls on high. then open the hood and check and see if your a/c compressor is turning. The pulley always turns but there is a clutch that locks in the compressor shaft. If it isnt turning it could be an electrical problem, or the freon is down. If the freon pressure is too low there is a pressure switch that keeps the compressor from running so it wont ruin the compressor. You should have a/c gauges to hook to the system to check pressures.
If the freon is down then you could charge it, but there may be a leak in the system which should be repaired before charging the system.
This is just the beginning of diagnosing an a/c system.
Good luck,
If you want to attempted it yourself then check it out and let us know what you find up to this point.

 

the compressor does not lock up and has not for the 2yrs I've owned the truck, but when my dad had the truck the air was ICE cold. The truck sat for 6months before I started driving it, could it have a leak or does it sound more electrical?

Thanks again for the help,
Michael

 

hard to tell, it could be both because as Frostie said there is a pressure switch and when the refrigerant gets too low it will not allow the compressor clutch to engage. So you need some guages to check. So if it is full then it would be an electrical problem.

 

Since I don't have AC guages I should bring it in to a shop and let them figure it out.

Thanks again,
Michael

 

probably the best thing to do. It could be in the wiring.

On my dad's the AC stopped working cause the wiring harness on the firewall at the back of the engine came loose and was rubbing on the top of the valve cover and rubbed through the compressor wire first then rubbed through the alternator wire so it stopped charging. Didn't find it untill it stopped charging since thats a little more important than AC. But its something to look at.

 

Go to Wal-Mart and get a 134 conversion kit, follow the directions and see what happens. I've seen the kits as cheap as $25, no harm in trying it.

 

cool I'll try that first.... I hate paying someone else

 

i think this applies to newer cars, but i had an oldsmobile achieva. had a guy who "knew what he was doing" offer to top it off for free since he had all the stuff. came to find out the the AC system had "veins" that expanded when the system got hot or something like that. he tested and kept adding and adding to get the numbers "correct" needless to say after that if the car was over 1100rpm it would shut off (thank God it had a self shutdown type switch) turns out the only way to do it correctly was to fully drain the system and refil with the specified amount. i was told there are really only 2 main systems out there (don't know if that is correct) but that the other style just had a blow off vaule so if you over fill it will spit out what you don't need. my ac is cold but i'll prebably take it to a shop to get it done next time (only cost me $60) and all i told the guy is ac doesn't work please fix it.

 

If you pull the connector off the low pressure switch you can jump it out real fast with a paperclip and see if the compressor will kick on. It's located on the side of the expansion valve which is on the firewall (aluminum block). That will let you know if the electrical and compressor is ok.

Den

 

Thanks Den, so I'll be looking for a switch near the firewall near an aluminum block, I hope I can find it.. I don't know didly about AC


Thanks to all for your help,
Michael