Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
this is the 2nd time ive replaced my ac compressor. last year the ac fan turned on when it felt like it causing the clutch to burn out. since then both fans come right on as soon as u turn the vehicle even if its so cold outside, so i just installed a new compressor and it worked for like 5 minutes nice and cold and the clutch just stopped and i heard a clicking sound coming from the relay box and the car cut off when i put it in drive. since this happened, ive notice that the clutch doesnt turn on when i turn the ac on. can u help me out at all please. my mechanic checked the relays and he said they look fine and he checked everything else too.
ac fan still comes right on upon starting vehicle.
1994 chrysler concorde 3.3l
Answer -
Hello Joseph,
The place to start is to ask the engine controller whether it has observed any failures in the control systems that are stored as codes in its memory. The fans and the AC are both mediated by the engine controller which has a self-diagnostic capability. The most useful thing to do would be to try to get the fault codes that may stored in the engine controller memory to readout. Try using the ignition key: turn it "on-off-on-off-on" and leave it "on" (doing this quickly, no longer than 5 seconds). By "on" I mean just the normal position when the engine is running, not the cranking position. The 'check engine'light will remain on when you leave the key in the "on" position with the engine still not running. But then watch the 'check engine' light to begin flashing, then pause, flashing, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and keep track of the numbers. Repeat the readout and verify the counts are correct. Then group them in pairs in the order that they came out, thus forming two digit numbers. You may notice that the pause is shorter between the digits of a given number, and longer between the numbers themselves. Then send me a 'follow-up' question telling me the results of your readout. By the way, 55 will be the last number (two groups of 5 flashes each) and that is the code for "end of readout".
I have the troubleshooting manual for several engines and we can look up the possibilities of what is wrong based upon what fault codes you show.
There is also an essay on fault codes at the site:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html
which gives the meaning of the code numbers. But then you need to get specific info for what exactly might be the diagnostic tests or parts to replace to complete the repair.
Tell me also how the car operates when you aren't asking for the AC to operate. Is everything normal? If not what is different about the way the engine runs or the fan works?
Roland
car runs fine with the fans running all the time. its just when that clutch starts on the compressor, an clicking noise comes from the relay box then the clutch dont turn on. dont get it. its a new compressor and the fan works this time and still the clutch dont come on. my mechanic is bypassing it by putting a line with a toggle switch from clutch to inside of vehicle so i control it when the clutch comes on. he tried everything and cant figure it out. any more suggestions?
Answer -
Hi Joseph,
Does you mechanic have the wiring diagram for the air conditioning system? I have one for the '91 New Yorker, etc.
which also used the 3.3l engine so I suspect it will be similar if not identical. The fact that the fan runs all the time without the AC being called upon indicates to me that either the fan relay is stuck closed, or the wire from the controller to the relay is shorted to ground, the controller is bad, or the coolant temp sensor is off value. On the clutch relay clicking on and off, I would suggest that he check the dark blue orange wire from the clutch relay socket to pin 34 of the controller 60-way plug to see if it might be flakey (shake it around to see if he can get it to open). If the fan and the clutch relays have the same part numbers I would try exchanging them to see if the problem remains the same or jumps over from the clutch to the fan which would suggest that a relay is weak.
Let me know if he wants a copy of these wiring diagrams and I'll xerox and mail them to you, just give me a postal mailing address. In the meantime, I would discourage putting in the toggle switch because that is the path to burning out another compressor. You would by-pass all the overpressurization interlock safety switch etc. which is courting trouble.
Roland
::::: ive just noticed that my ac isnt cold at all no more. for the past two days its been ice cold but i did notice everytime under the hood that the ac line had a sheet of ice all the way up the line towards the dash. i was told its normal until it circulates through but can it be that my freon leaked out because the ac line was so frozen cold? please get back as ive been very aggravated with the ac issures
thank u truly
AnswerHi Joseph,
If the AC clutch system is now operated by the toggle switch that might explain part of your new observation. I would encourage you to not run the system until you sort out the AC clutch control and fan control problems so that you don't damage the compressor again. I am not an expert in AC so the best I can offer is to send you the wiring diagrams for the system. So tell me a postal address where I could mail them to if you want them.
Roland
