Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-18-12 02:33 PM - Post#2238826
I looked through the usual searches and didn't find a similar problem. I have good AC on my 97' K1500 until it runs a while and then the clutch won't engage until everything cools down under the hood. I took it to my AC man and we managed to get the system going after looking the connections over and looking for obvious open circuts. After this I started it and the clutch kicked in and he checked the charge and all was well, until I drove it a while and it warmed up. So, I went over the things we looked at again and found the AC relay out under the hood was fairly hot. I don't think that is the problem, just a simptom of something goofing up. I switched the identical relays and same problem after running a while. So, anyone have suggestions as to where to look for the problem??? It would be great to drive more than 30 miles at a stretch WITH air. Thanks.....
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
|
rockfangd
Contributor
Posts: 549
Age: 27
Loc: Utica ny
Reg: 04-13-10
|
06-18-12 11:29 PM - Post#2238983
In response to Bowtie_Guy
when the problem occurs I would unplug the compressor and check for voltage to the compressor. It is possible it could be a lost connection in the compressor itself that shows when it heats up
|
ltlvt
Senior Member
Posts: 1576
Age: 61
Loc: Wichita Falls Texas USA
Reg: 09-17-00
|
06-19-12 01:08 PM - Post#2239176
In response to rockfangd
Read Tow Truck wont tow topic above, I had a similar problem with my a/c clutch and the relay was loose in the socket. It is an easy fix if this is your problem just lightly bend the prongs on the relay so they make firm contact in the socked. You can find the problem with a/c on and wiggleing the relay in its socket.
| Runs like a Scalded Dog!!
|
|
Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-19-12 08:24 PM - Post#2239309
In response to ltlvt
Well, I have to try it out again and when it stops cooling I'll check if it has current at the connector on the compressor. As to the socket I have swapped the relay with the other identical relay next to it with the same result as in a hot relay when it quits. Didn't feel any of the contacts lose in the socket, but I'll check all these things again when it quits working again. I appreciate the suggestions.
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
55 Shaker
Member
Posts: 1043
Age: 63
Loc: north central IL.
Reg: 03-13-06
|
06-20-12 12:37 AM - Post#2239353
In response to Bowtie_Guy
I would guess the electro magnet clutch is going bad on the compressor.
| The older I get, the more dangerous, I am !!!! |
|
 someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23403
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
|
06-20-12 06:32 AM - Post#2239392
In response to 55 Shaker
I've also seen a few where the air gap setting on the clutch was just enough out of spec that it allowed it to disengage when it shouldn't. That's probably due to excessive wear on the clutch but I'm no expert on the A/C stuff.
One thing you could do would be check for 12V at the clutch connection when this happens; if you still have 12V present but the clutch has disengaged, obviously you can write off any other cause besides a bad clutch/bad air gap setting.
Richard
|
Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-20-12 12:55 PM - Post#2239499
In response to Bowtie_Guy
OK, new development. The other day when I took my truck to be looked at the A/C didn't work and my A/C guy took apart all the connectors and the relay and looked for obvious bad connections and he got it going. Today I drove to the picket line about 10 miles away and no A/C when I got there and it cooled down and nothing. I have not checked the voltage at the compressor as yet, but I checked the drier at the firewall for the electrical connector there. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and found it was loose at the threaded fitting. Now I still have to check the voltage at the compressor, but I have a feeling some freon has leaked out. SO, I don't know if putting another can in will help or not. Can't recheck the charge in the system, or pull it down as my A/C guy is out of town, and I can't charge a system that won't engage the clutch (even when I jump the connector). Being that I am on strike saving money is a good thing so maybe I should be happy I am not able to use the air? I'd rather be cool!!!!
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-20-12 04:48 PM - Post#2239585
In response to Bowtie_Guy
UPDATE! I don't exactly know what this means, but I did check the voltage at the compressor and I have 13.95 or something like that. So, I thought as it was mentioned it might be the clutch so I did what any selfrespecting man would do ... I tapped on the clutch and it kicked in and I have A/C again. It's the little things in life that just keep me amused. I suppose it needs a cleaning and adjustment so now I have to find out what procedure I have to do to it, but at least I have found the problem. 
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
rockfangd
Contributor
Posts: 549
Age: 27
Loc: Utica ny
Reg: 04-13-10
|
06-20-12 10:14 PM - Post#2239701
In response to Bowtie_Guy
very good. You have found the problem.
the only true repair may be to replace the compressor though because the wire inside the compressor may be going bad and losing connection.
that is why you verified voltage at the plug.
If you didnt have voltage it would have been something else ,but you do so compressor itself should be culprit
|
Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-21-12 02:42 AM - Post#2239717
In response to rockfangd
Well, judging from the service I got from the gent who replaced this particular compressor once I imagine he used the old clutch assembly when he repaced the unit at around 120k. This is the same guy who couln't find where a miss was coming from and told me I needed a new engine. I found out I had a bad distributor gear that was worn on one side to a knife edge. Dodged a bullet there. I figure I have to clean and adjust the clutch by removing shims to re-establish the proper gap/load, but I have never done this yet. Anyone have a link to the procedeure? Or a brief description on how to do that?
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23403
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
|
06-21-12 05:57 AM - Post#2239753
In response to Bowtie_Guy
I don't have the spec handy but it may be pointless since you're likely attempting to adjust a worn clutch. However, as sort of a "hack", you could try using an A/C clutch hub installer tool, which you can probably rent/borrow from the auto parts, and put just a HAIR...TINY little bit...of turn on it to move the plates closer to each other. I mean really, just the tiniest little bit. This may overcome the worn areas enough to make it work a while longer before replacement.
Usually when they're worn they get grooved badly so attempting to set it by factory specs may be meaningless. My experience, anyway.
Richard
|
55 Shaker
Member
Posts: 1043
Age: 63
Loc: north central IL.
Reg: 03-13-06
|
06-21-12 10:43 AM - Post#2239812
In response to Bowtie_Guy
The windings in the electro magnet clutch might be going bad. When it warms up it creates an open circut. Kinda like a ignition coil that goes bad after it's warmed up.
| The older I get, the more dangerous, I am !!!! |
|
rockfangd
Contributor
Posts: 549
Age: 27
Loc: Utica ny
Reg: 04-13-10
|
06-21-12 10:44 AM - Post#2239813
In response to someotherguy
to try to readjust a worn clutch will likely make it go bad quickly.
I would never reinstall a used clutch on another compressor either.
Luckily reman compressors are cheaper today.
|
Bowtie_Guy
Contributor
Posts: 241
Loc: Ohio in the "rust belt"
Reg: 09-04-04
|
06-21-12 11:22 AM - Post#2239825
In response to rockfangd
I agree on the worn clutch. I would rather get a new clutch and install it correctly. I might check to see how much it will cost. It seems to be working fine for now and that's good it's around 92 here in Ohio.
67' Chevelle SS California car needs TLC
97' K1500 4X4 |
|
|
Gain extra benefits by becoming a Supporting Member 
drtyler (4)
