MetalliCamaro

I have a slight problem, my a/c pump will not kick in, i have the belt hooked up, of course... theres only one wire connector that hooks up to the top of the compressor which has two wires and a resistor between the wires, i have checked all fuses.. the piece on the pump very front is suppose to kick in and turn when i turn the A/C switch on right? well it doesnt.. i am not sure whats going on.. ive checked every wire at the dryer and fan.. everything is hooked up right by the looks.. i did unhook every piece of emmisions i dont think thats the problem.. this is on the 1983 camaro berlinetta which i'd like to keep the A/c if i can.. alot of people tell me to junk it but i want to keep it, cause the 1988 camaro doesnt have A/C and with the t-tops off kills my fuel mileage..

archemedes

could be a bad compressor, or a bad pressure switch, is the system full? if there is no refirgerant it won't kick onto protect the compressor

MetalliCamaro

im not sure.. how do i know if its full or not? the car sat for 5 years..

archemedes

gotta do a pressure test, if it sat unused the compressor may be seized

MetalliCamaro

i can turn it by hand... the front piece that suppose to kick in.. it turn good..

archemedes

that's just a clutch

MetalliCamaro

oh.. so the compressor runs all the time or when the clutch kicks in? cause the clutch wont kick in.. It may need more refrid. they sell at walmart and auto stores.. i should get a can?

archemedes

the stuff you can buy won't work without changing over.the compressor only runs when the clutch is engaged, check for continuity at teh compressor (disconnect the harness, and check for power at the harness)if you press on a valve (the ones that look like big tire valves) does anything come out?

MetalliCamaro

yea cool air... i didnt check for power.. i will tomarrow its 11 30pm lol

archemedes

if you get something out then it's not empty, chances are real good your compressor is toast.A new one is around $150, you'll also want a filter drier, and to have the system evacuated (that refrigerant is expensive) while it's apart do the r134 conversion

MetalliCamaro

HUH? well to tell you a bit of the truth when i got the car there was a dryer and control panel/switch in the back of the car.. the prev. owner mustve had some problems him self.. one of the lines to the pump seems alittle kinked...?..

MetalliCamaro

alright i went out there.. the inlet/otlet thing Tire valve thing, alright the dryer had some in it earlier i checked again and it didnt have much in it, now its empty (oops?) um the line from the dryer to the cooler/radiator thing has tranny fluid lookin stuf in it.. got alittle out didnt take much to push it down and for stuff to come out got stuff on a screwdriver not my hands by the way..

archemedes

compressor is toast, that tranny fluid looking stuff is probably rust

MetalliCamaro

well that sucks.. so i should rip the A/c out and huck it?.!? i dont want to pay more than 20 bucks to keep it...

archemedes

if you don't want it, pull the compressor, don't hack it up, you may decide to reinstall it later