Hi There,
While down visiting Tiffin, OH, I decided to pick up an A/C recharge kit.
It'* one of those bottles with a hose, and a quick connect.
It was R134A, as my car had been converted from R-12.

I emptied the whole canister, and the compressor does not engage. Next, I went to Napa and bought a new relay for the compressor. I believe it is the one located on the drivers side fender. (if not, please correct me)

After changing the relay, still no compressor engagement. I also checked the fuse on the fire wall, it'* okay, as is the fuse in the drivers side fuse box.

Can anyone help me?
I don't have my test light here to see if the compressor is getting power or not. Maybe you folks could throw out other possibilities I could try??

Please advise,
Adam

Did the kit come with a gauge where you can get at least a rough idea as to the pressure in the system? For what it'* worth, I had to put 3 cans in my dad'* '95 before the compressor engaged.

Press and hold the OFF and Temp Increase buttons on the ECC until it enters diagnostic mode. Look up the codes in techinfo to find out what your problem is. I bet you still have code 66, low refrigerant. If you get code 166, that means code 66 has been set recently, but is not the current problem. (the 100 prefix indicates a code set recently)

Sounds like there'* not enough charge in the system, or a bad pressure switch.

Update:
Hey there,
So last night I ran it through diagnostic mode, and rec'd a 110 code (bad outside temp sensor)
How do you advance the diagnostics to read the next available code? Does it show the next one after waiting, or do you hit a button?

I also added another can of refrig in, still nothing.
I know the capacity is about 2lbs full. The cans are approx 14oz. Maybe I still didn't put in enough?

Please let me know what you think.
Adam

I think that if the Outside air temp sensor is bad, it'll fudge up the A/C.....but I could be wrong.

Replace that sensor and see what happens perhaps? Could prolly rob one out of the local bone yard.

Interesting.
You think the outside temp switch could be related to the inside temp performance?

I think I will try to touch a live wire to the compressor and see if it engages. Hopefully I can do all this without electrocuting myself.

Adam

There is a low pressure switch (low R134) On most GM cars the low pressure switch screws onto a schrader valve on top of the accumulator. You can jump that switch with a paper clip and see if the compressor kicks on.
Spit

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try looking for the switch over the weekend and report my findings.

Cheers,
Adam

Depending on what temperature it thinks it sees...yes, your outside air temperature sensor can affect the air conditioning.