Hello all, since I bought my 86 camaro it has been a wiring nightmare. I have factory a/c and I’m trying to get it wired up. Can someone tell me what wire does what and how I can test my compressor? The single fused wire that goes to the compressor does not have any power, maybe I should start there?im assuming this comes from a relay?

thanks in advance! Love the knowledge in this place.

 

Is the system charged? There is a pressure switch in the evaporator on the passenger side firewall, which won't allow power to the compresor wire if there is no pressure...

 

I have no idea, most likely not. If I ran a power wire directly to this, could I test the compressor operation or would I still need it to be charged?

 

By doing so it will tell you if the a/c clutch is working and that's about it.

A/C systems are finicky and need to see the right pressures to work. If you have too much Freon it won't work, if you're low on Freon it won't work, if either of the pressure sensors are bad it won't work, if the orifice tube is plugged it won't work, and finally if the clutch is bad it won't work. However this is all only true if the system will hold a vacuum and doesn't have any leaks.

 

What you can do is some testing. On the side of the dryer there is the low pressure switch. Test to see if you have power. Turn the key on, select AC on the HVAC. One side of the connector on the low pressure switch should have power. If you jump these two, then there should be power at one of the connectors at connectors at the compressor. These tests can be done with the engine off but key on. If you have power at the dryer but not at the compressor when jumped, then you should look for broken wire, most likely that burnt connector at the back of the passenger side valve cover.