Oldsmobile When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

96 Cutlass Ciera AC issue (aka I CAN'T go another summer with no AC!!!)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 01:04 AM
  #1  
sissylala69s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
sissylala69s is on a distinguished road
Default 96 Cutlass Ciera AC issue (aka I CAN'T go another summer with no AC!!!)

First and foremost, I am not a mechanic
Everything I know about working on cars I've learned from youtube, google and forums like this one
So I have to ask that you keep it simple for me
I need step by step instructions
Anyway, my ac compressor doesn't engage
I verified that it doesn't need recharged and checked the fuse
I saw a couple videos about using a jump wire to see if the clutch engages then but I'm not sure it'* worth the hassle because the connector is hard to get to
Should I just replace the compressor or could there be an easier, cheaper fix?
Thanks in advance
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2021 | 09:59 AM
  #2  
Mike's Avatar
Retired
Certified Car Nut
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,960
Likes: 1,839
From: Dark Side, AZ
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Based on your admission you have zero mechanical experience, I highly suggest you take this to a certified shop. A/C systems can be very difficult to diag and if done incorrectly, lead to EPA violations by accidentally releasing freon into the atmosphere. Which leads me to my next question, how did you verify the system has a proper charge?
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2021 | 03:44 PM
  #3  
carfixer007's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1,597
From: Flint, MI USA
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Before taking it to a shop try swapping out the relay.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2021 | 04:52 PM
  #4  
sissylala69s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
sissylala69s is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by Mike
Based on your admission you have zero mechanical experience,
No
What I said was that what I know, I've learned from youtube, google and forums like this one
I have actually replaced a compressor, EGR valve, TPS, the doohickey in the gas tank to make the gauge work, changed plugs and wires, oil, found a short and fixed it, replaced a radiator and multiple other small issues
I'm not saying any of that makes me "experienced"
Just that I'm not a, "Whelp, it'* got gas n air in the tires so gosh, I dunno what'* wrong" kinda gal


I highly suggest you take this to a certified shop. A/C systems can be very difficult to diag and if done incorrectly, lead to EPA violations by accidentally releasing freon into the atmosphere.
I'm inexperienced, not stupid
I'm not sure how trying to diagnose an ac problem would lead to releasing enough freon for the EPA to be involved, but I'm pretty comfortable saying it won't be me that finds out


Which leads me to my next question, how did you verify the system has a proper charge?
I tried to charge it, but the ac still blows hot
I really don't mean to sound like a jerk...it just comes naturally
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2021 | 04:57 PM
  #5  
sissylala69s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
sissylala69s is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by carfixer007
Before taking it to a shop try swapping out the relay.
I know where the relays are, but for the life of me, I can't find a good diagram showing which relays control what component
I feel like I must be using the wrong search terms
Probably either making it too detailed, or not detailed enough because it doesn't seem like it should be this hard to find
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2021 | 05:30 PM
  #6  
carfixer007's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1,597
From: Flint, MI USA
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

It'* on the bracket with a few other relays.
Here'* your electrical.


Reply
Old Jun 19, 2021 | 05:48 AM
  #7  
sissylala69s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
sissylala69s is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by carfixer007
It'* on the bracket with a few other relays.
Here'* your electrical.
Okay, as much as it pains me to say this, I cannot figure out how to pull the relays out to check them
The only ones I've seen before are in an enclosed box and you just pull them out
If I'm in the right spot, (front passenger side corner by the radiator) there'* no wiggle room
And it doesn't help that you have to have teeny little leprechaun hands to get to them
It looks like I have to lift a tab on the back to lift it off but I can't get to it
Does the bracket come off?

Also, there are 5 (?) relays but the wire coloring is different than the diagram you sent and the one in my Haynes book
So if I'm standing facing the car, which relay is it, counting left to right?
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2021 | 10:31 PM
  #8  
carfixer007's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1,597
From: Flint, MI USA
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Maybe a shop is your best bet.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 12:19 AM
  #9  
CathedralCub's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 1,004
From: Earth
CathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to behold
Default

Originally Posted by Mike
how did you verify the system has a proper charge?
Originally Posted by sissylala69s
I tried to charge it, but the ac still blows hot
Sorry to have to say this, but this does not tell any of us that the system is already charged. In order to have any idea that it is charged I would need to hear something like "When I tried to charge it, the gauge said xxxPSI was already in it" . . . or . . . "When I hooked a gauge to it it showed green"

Remember, we don't know you or your technical habits or descriptions from any other member'*. We are using our knowledge and linguistic skills to make a keyboard describe to you how to diagnose a car we'll likely never see and then tell us the results through a keyboard in such a way as to help you fix a fairly complicated machine whose operation is governed by highly technical concepts. When you say "I tried to charge it, but the ac still blows hot", we can't tell if:

- you tried to put one can in and nothing happened
- you put seventeen cans in and it all came right back out where you didn't notice
- you charged the battery instead
- etc.

I don't mean anything negative when I point this out, I'm just providing perspective based on things I've personally seen over the years here.

Next step: Get a gauge, even the Walmart special that comes with a can of refrigerant, and get us a reading. For bonus points, get a gauge that can adjust its range based on ambient temperature and get us a reading on that.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 05:20 AM
  #10  
HotZ28's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 26
From: USA
HotZ28 is on a distinguished road
Default

You may learn something in the link below and also may help many other of the inexperienced DIY people who have no clue how the A/C system works.
https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/D...sis-by-Symptom
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:16 AM.