A/c exploded!!

**WOTFTW** · 03-09-2012

okay so it didnt really explode... it actually gradually quit working. it blows air and the fan turns on no problem. its full a freaon(i think i spelled it correctly). the heat works fine. every now and then, the air would not blow cold. id just turn it off and back on and it was fine. it started becoming more frequent that it would not work. and now it refuses to blow cold air at all. only hot. i can tell a difference from turning the heat on and off however so that is completely funtional. can i get some advice before trying to replace the compressor? i can hear it turn on. is there anyway to tell if the clutch is engaging or which relay/fuses i should check?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-09-2012

start the car, turn the engine on, turn the a/c on, and look down at the a/c compressor, if its working, well the clutch anyways, the whole pulley will be spinning, when you turn the a/c off, the center of the pulley will not be spinning. the radiator fans should also come on when the a/c is on, if they are not working the a/c will not be as cool as it should be.

**redlinepontiac** · 03-09-2012

are you sure its full of refrigerant? if its blowing hot at all you probobly have a leak somewhere.

the compressor cases like to leak at the seam

**Scottydoggs** · 03-09-2012

if you are low on refrigerant the clutch on the compressor wont turn on, or will turn on and off a lot.

**WOTFTW** · 03-10-2012

i just checked the refrigerant levels and it reads fine. clutch is staying engaged as far as what i can see

**WOTFTW** · 03-10-2012

there is a rattling coming from the compressor however. is this a usual thing or no?

**Rico** · 03-10-2012

Mine ended up being the blend door actuator. The door is controlled by the computer to redirect cold/hot air into the cabin. It has something to do with the dual climate control.

I hope this isn't your problem as it's very expensive to have repaired. Actuator is behind the dash.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2012

it will make some noise when engaged when working normally, if its making a lot of noise its probably on its way out.

if you take the belt off, the part where the belt wraps around it should be seated tight, no excessive play in it side to side, if its going bad it will have play in it.

**WOTFTW** · 03-12-2012

well i got bigger problems than my a/c now... oil gummed up and the motor seized. ill see about getting her running then ill revisit the a/c

**WOTFTW** · 03-27-2012

alright will im revisiting the a/c since i have a motor on the way. so does this sound like the compressor? as rehash... i know its making a rattling noise when engaged. everything seems tight and its not leaking. when it was going out it either super cold or super hot. over time it would not work once a week then it worked half the time until finally it just quit turning cold at all.

**WOTFTW** · 03-29-2012

anyone?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2012

if your getting another compressor with the new used engine, use that one. it seems as if your clutch is on its way out. changing the clutch is possible, but with out the right tools your not getting it off. and most of the time the compressor is about done anyways by the time the clutch goes bad.

or for peice of mind, get a reman compressor, and know it all works. no guessing.

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2012

How did you determine you have enough R134a?

**WOTFTW** · 03-29-2012

i put the gauge on the line and turned the a/c on high. is that correct? it showed it was in the green. i had recently had it recharged a couple months ago.

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2012

It's really hard to tell by the gauge off those cans you get at autozone or the like. Can you see your compressor kicking on?

**WOTFTW** · 03-29-2012

i put the gauge on the line and turned the a/c on high. is that correct? it showed it was in the green. i had recently had it recharged a couple months ago.

**WOTFTW** · 03-29-2012

i can see the clutch engaging but when it is engaged, there is rattling. it blows hot air but every now and then it will blow cold as winter. but then ill turn it off and right back on and it will be hot again