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AC Compressor Erratic Engagement

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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 07:01 PM
  #1  
RallySportin''s Avatar
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From: Maryland
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: ZZ4 350 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
AC Compressor Erratic Engagement

Well my AC has not been blowing out cold air, and my compressor is engaging and disengaging every few seconds. When the AC is switched to on, the compressor will turn on for around 5 seconds, then switch back off for a few seconds, then turns back on and continues to cycle. Also every few cycles it will click on and off very rapidly about 15 times then go back to the every 5 second cycling. Pressure readings on low side port ae kind of hard to get due to the erratic engagement, but they are high. Pressure when compressor is off is around 120, then when it engages pressure will drop continuisly to about 75 then then the compressor will turn back off and the pressure will go back up. Am I in need of a new switch at the low or high side? Or is my compressor bad or what? Ambient temp at pressure measure was 100 degrees.
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 08:14 PM
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DENN_SHAH's Avatar
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From: houston
Car: 83 POS monte carlo 2015 chevy P/U
Engine: 92 5.7 tpi 5.3
Transmission: 700r4 6L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.42 too high
the way you describe it, it sounds like the low pressure switch is bad.
before you go buy as new one, try this, bypass the the low pressure switch with a piece of wire & see what your pressures look like.
if the pressures look good & it seems to cool like that, replace the low pressure switch.
it shouldn't take you but a few minutes to check.

the best way to replace the low pressure switch without haveing to empty the system is to hook up the jumper wire, then with the motor running, A/C turned on, blower motor on low, after the low side pressure gets down under 40 or so pounds remove the old switch & put the new one on, be sure to replace the O-ring or you could wind up with a leak.

do not leave the jumper wire hooked up & drive it like that, it will burn the compressor up, it is for testing only.
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 11:32 PM
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From: Conroe, TX
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
I believe the low pressure switch on our systems (the one on the drier) is adjustable. A flat head screwdriver and some careful attention paid to your guages might solve your problem.
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 02:54 PM
  #4  
RallySportin''s Avatar
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From: Maryland
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: ZZ4 350 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
Well I tried bypassing the switch with a wire, the compressor clicked on and of very rapidly, pressure was at 150, then a spray of I think freon came from somewhere around the back of the compressor, and I decided then to shut off the car.
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 08:04 PM
  #5  
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From: houston
Car: 83 POS monte carlo 2015 chevy P/U
Engine: 92 5.7 tpi 5.3
Transmission: 700r4 6L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.42 too high
sounds like you have some major problems.
this sounds like you have a bad restrition on the high side, it may even be completely stopped up.
seems like the high side pressure relieve valve opens some where around 450 PSI, i forget what the high pressure switch opens at.
the system will need to be opened to find the restrition.
the most likely place would be the orfice tube, second would be the condensor. if the orfice tube is the problem, the condensor & hoses will have to be flushed, the condensor may have to be replaced along with the other parts, odds are your compressor would be the cause.

the last time it was working, did it make any strange noises? have you noticed if the compressor had been rattling or knocking?

not knowing your ability or knowlege on A/C & tools you have, it may be best to have it looked at by a compedent shop.
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