Date:         Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:24:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: A/C compressor not turning
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

 
 Date:    Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:28:04 -0700
 From:    raymond markett <raym02@YAHOO.COM>
 Subject: A/C compressor not turning
 
 =0A=0AHi,=0A=0AI am try to revive the air conditioner on my
 1985 Westy.=A0 =
 When I turn on the A/C the fans inside the passenger
 compartment blow warm =
 air.=A0 I looked at the compressor, and it isn't turning.
 After turning the=
  engine off, I found that I can=A0turn the compressor by
 hand.=A0 I=A0don't=
  believe the compressor is seized. My guess is that the
 compressor clutch i=
 sn't engaging.=A0 I plan to find and check the fuses and
 relays that send p=
 ower to the compressor clutch.=A0 =0A=0ADoes any know of a
 good way to temp=
 orarily jumper power to the clutch to see if it will
 engage?=A0 Any other a=
 dvice?=0AIt sure would be nice to have the A/C working this
 summer.=0A=0ATh=
 anks,=0A=0ARaymond
 
There is a low pressure switch that keeps the compressor clutch from engaging if the freon pressure is too low.  You do NOT want to "hot-wiire" the compressor unless you *know* it has a freon charge.  No freon, no oil (or no oil flow) to the compressor, with dead compressor to follow.  You can check the continuity of the low pressure switch.  No continuity, low freon charge.  I'm not sure if '85 has the high cutout or not (my Bentley is a couple thousand miles from here) but if so, there are two switches, one normally open (low pressure) and one normally closed (High pressure).  Best bet is to throw on a set of gauges - I think Autozone may have free loaner sets.

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)