QuestionI have a 1991 Chrysler New Yorker Salon that has air conditioning problems. Most of the time it comes on and cools just fine, but it takes it a while to get going. The last week or so, it seems to have gotten worse. It won't cool hardly at all now. The other day it came on for about 17 miles and seemed to be working just fine and now it is not cooling again. It's driving us crazy! I thought it might just be something electrical, because when it works, it works well.
Any help would be appreciated.
Also, I'm having transmission problems and electrical window problems, but that again is another on and off story!
Thanks,
James
AnswerHi James,
We need to separate the possibility of problems with the refrigerant system from those having to do with the air handling system in the cabin. First, which control unit do you have: conventional or digital temp readout? If you have the latter, it may have an issue that is preventing the proper cooling or mixing of the air. Fortunately, that one has an ability to recognize a problem and give you a code that will translate into what is wrong with the air handling unit. A conventional control unit doesn't have that capability but then again it is less likely to go wrong. So let me know the answer to that question.
On the refrigerant side, the items that could be wrong are:
a slipping drive belt (press on the belt mid-way between the two pulleys; it should deflect no more than about 1/4 inch when compared to a straight edge placed between the two pulleys). Then there is the question of whether the relay that controls the compressor is actually telling the clutch to drive the compressor or not(free wheel); and whether the clutch responds and puts a load on the engine(which you will notice as the engine slowing down slightly when at idle and a click at that moment and if you are watching it the inner wheel of the compressor will begin to rotate. So have a helper turn on the AC at idle while you watch the compressor to see if it responds to the command for cooling to occur. Then if it does, then there is still the question of whether you might be low on refrigerant (which leaks out slowly over time). Take a look on the right inner fender for a small round solid metal container with incoming and outgoing small diameter refrigerant lines that are attached to a rectangular block attached to the top of the container. Notice whether there is a small round glass window in the rectangular block or not. If there is, then we may be able to determine if the issue is low refrigerant level. If not, then only an AC shop can determine that. So let me know if you find this can and whether or not it has a window.
The most likely reason for your problem is that the refrigerant is low, particularly if you haven't had to service it for a few years. In that case the AC shop is the place to have it done rather than the dealer because they generally charge less and know their craft. If you have not had the unit modified to use R-134 refrigerant (the envionmentally friendly chemical) it may be suggested that you do so. On a car of 14 years age, that is a tough choice to make. The R-12 refrigerant is much more expensive, but if you only have to add a little of it you might be better off to do that rather than to go to the expense of modifying the unit and refilling it with R-134. I would ask for two estimates for either of those choices. It may well be that the system is not leaking very significantly (or at all, if the problem has nothing to do with the refrigerant being low) so don't give up on the R-12 unless the economics look attractive over the expected life remaining in the vehicle.
So try and size up what is happening under the hood when you ask for cooling from the AC, after checking the belt tension to begin with. If the clutch doesn't activate the compressor at all, then it could be due to a safety feature which locks out the compressor when it has lost too much refrigerant, or the relay could be bad, of the clutch could be bad.
So write back with the answer to the first question and also the observations and we'll see if I can be of any real help to you.
Roland
