Hello. I have an 87 Firebird GTA 5.7L I am trying to fix my AC, I have determined the AC Compressor clutch does not kick on. It does spin freely by hand, but I have had so many issues with the previous owners lack of quality work I am concerned a couple of electrical connections might be on the wrong way.

The two wire connector with the diode on it at the front of the clutch, does it matter which way it is connected? I have tried it both ways with no success.

The two wire connector on the round cylinder near the firewall has an electrical connector (round plug), does this also matter which way it is connected?

I have the 87 FSM but can't tell which way it should be connected.

One item to note is I don't know if it has been converted to R134A yet or not, I thought it was required to put a label on the compressor when this service occurred.

Sorry for the multiple questions, any help is greatly appreciated.

RJMcEachern

 

Pull the wires at the clutch and see if you're getting voltage when expected. If you are then check the clutch by carefully connecting battery voltage direct to the clutch contacts. If the clutch does engage needs to be replaced.

 

does it matter which side is hot and which is ground, when looking at it from the front of the car?

Thanks for the help!

RJMcEachern

 

Doesn't matter.

To charge the system, you can cram a wire into the cutoff switch (the thing on the accumulator/dryer) plug, to emulate a low pressure cutoff switch that isn't seeing low pressure.

A more immediate concern would be, since the switch won't allow the compressor to run, the Freon must be absent; and since it was present at some time in the past, it must have left. If I was you I'd be finding and fixing ALL the leaks, even ALL POSSIBLE leaks that MIGHT SOMEDAY start leaking, before I wasted money on more Freon.

 

If it has the threaded charge port it is R-12.....if it's the quick dis-connect charge port then it's R134A.

 

thanks everyone. it is the old style charge port, so R12. I agree sofakingdom, had it in there at one time, so must be empty now and have leaked out, will probably be taking it to a shop to fix as I don't have evacuation tank or pressure gauges, let alone finding some r12, might be a good time to switch it over to R134a

Thanks everyone for the replies!

RJMcEachern