No A/C...what could be wrong?

[tackepj]

I have a '95 K1500 W/T with the 4.3 V6. It hasn't had working A/C for several years now, but I'd like to fix it. The button lights up when I turn it on but the compressor doesn't come on (I can't hear any clicks or anything). I don't want to replace the whole compressor if it's just something like a relay. Any ideas where I should start? Thanks

[71GMC_3/4T]

Probably low on Freon. You should have R134a in yours. It won't kick on if there isn't enough refrigerant. Take it to a shop or add a can yourself.

[willieboy]

Several years means you are going to have to vacuum it down, and then add freon. If the compressor won't come on, you cannot just add a can of freon.

 

Anyway, you can "rent" the equipment to do it yourself from autozone. Bring the equipment back, and the rental charge is zero. You will need to add compressor oil, freon, and while you are at it, add the tracer dye so you can find the leak next time you need to look at the system.

[Larry]

I agree, most likely is it low on refrigerant causing the low-pressure switch to prevent the compressor from engaging. There is even a better chance there is a leak at the front seal on the R4 A/C compressor. The R4 compressor is a compressor of modest reliability. Very common for that era of GM vehicle to leak the refrigerant from the front seal.

 

If you do not want to sound like a hilljack when go to the parts store to buy refrigerant, do not call it “FREON”. Freon is a registered trademark name to Dupont Corp. Freon was a chlorofluorocarbon and hasn’t been used in OEM applications for over a decade. The magic gas A/C system is refrigerant….not FREON.

 

From Dupont’s website…..

Overview

Freon® made possible widespread use of refrigerators and air conditioners and served as propellant in aerosol sprays of all types. Up to the 1920s, most commonly used refrigerants were exceedingly hazardous substances. Freon® (chlorofluorocarbon or CFC) was developed by two General Motors scientists and manufactured by DuPont at Deepwater, New Jersey, beginning in 1930. CFCs also proved effective as degreasing agents. Non-CFC substitutes for Freon® - Suva® refrigerants and Dymel® propellants – were commercialized in 1990. DuPont produced its last CFCs in the developed countries in 1995.

[tackepj]

Thanks for the suggestions. It's been long enough that I won't just throw new refrigerant into it; i'll have it vacuumed out and everything.

[tackepj]

Thanks for the suggestions.  It's been long enough that I won't just throw new refrigerant into it; i'll have it vacuumed out and everything.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

An update--

 

Just had it fixed. They leak-tested it and found that the accumulator had a leak on one of the welds. He said that was only the second time in his life he has seen that happen. It's ok though--the part was cheap and everything else checked out, and I'm chillin again.

 

The truck had previously been my old man's, and he said the A/C died pretty much right after he had a very minor front-end wreck in it. Maybe that's what made the weld at the accumulator let go.

 

Now I remember how much working A/C bogs down my poor little V6...