it's the switch that closes when there is freon in the system thus allowing power to the compressor.

Mine developed a crack on the plastic threaded area and thus I lost my refrigerant. I bought a replacement switch, hand screwed it on, recharged the system and had A/C again. The next day, I look and the new switch has a crack in the plastic and a tiny leak. I just unscrewed it from the dryer jumpered it out on the connector but does anyone know if there is a switch with a metal fitting vs the plastic?

 

You should be able to remove and replace the switch without losing the charge. If you take the broken one off, look inside(where it screws on) there is a little valve like is in your tire stem. Replace it before you recharge the system.
When I charge a system I remove it and jump the wire connector with a paper clip so a/c thinks there is enough ferion and won't shut the compressor off. I screw an 134a fitting in and charge there with gauges on the other low pressure port.I need a new hose for my gauges to charge through them.

 

I probably wasn't clear enough. let me try again

The switch which screws into the dryer is where it was leaking. I bought another switch and replaced it. The next day the new switch also had the housing around the threads cracked and it leaked as well. I hand tightened the switch when I installed it. I've since removed the switch and just jumpered the connector. I'm asking if anyone knows if there is a switch with metal threads vs plastic so I won't have the cracking issue should I decide to install the switch

 

I have not seen one. Don't feel bad I did same thing.

 

Not that I know of. The plastic on the switch must be vulnerable (mine too required replacement at one point).

JamesC

 

I don't think there's a switch with metal threads, but I will say to make sure that the rubber o-ring is installed IN the switch itself, where the threads are. I bought a new one that had no rubber oring, screwed it on nice and tight and cracked the plastic. What happened was, I overtightened it due to it leaking because there was no rubber o-ring in it. Just a thought to check at least.

You could also try a little trick to strengthen the plastic area. Take a small piece of rubber hose that will snugly fit over the round end that screws on, then take a small clamp of some type, worm clamp might do, and after you tighten the switch onto the compressor, tighten down the clamp some. The tiny bit of rubber hose is to protect the plastic from the worm clamp. Don't need to dig into the plastic and cause a crack yourself.

 

i put the new o ring in. When the replacement cracked, I even tried jb weld and also a clamp around it. it's still running with no switch and who knows if I'll bother. I'll probably get to it but it's jumpered for now