A/C problem '97 SSEI
 

Hello to everyone. I'm a novice in forums so forgive me if I make any errors in forum protocol/ ettiquette.

Air conditioning works great when first turned on and stays on. After the car is good and hot if I turn it off and then back on the control unit says it is on but the compressor does not engage. Same situation if I turn the car off, for example, a trip to the convenience store, then start up and drive off the A/C compressor will not engage. Not until I stop the car for a long enough period of time for things to cool down will things begin to function properly again. Seems to be heat related. So just for a quickie Hail Mary kind of test I got home the other day opened the hood with engine running and sprayed A/C compressor with garden hose while it was still malfunctioning and it had no positive effect. So I then stopped motor, let it cool for about 30 minutes and restarted - A/C works again. Unfortunately, my '97 does not have on board diagnostics like my '92 has for checking trouble codes. It still could be the coil in the compressor opening up when hot but I kinda doubt it after the water test.

Anyone else had this trouble? Quick fixes anyone? Or is this a A/C tech/Dealer only solution?

Joel

Hi Joel!

There's a couple things you should check that seem most likely just off the top.

A very likely culprit is the clutch relay.

Do you have any way to test electrical issues? A multitester?

Bottom line and pretty obvious< even to you is that it is a switch or relay othat is going bad and therefore not working when hot