AC compressor won't engage, help

elohdaeh78 · 12-21-2011, 10:17 PM

So my ac compressor just stopped working today. I checked the belt and its fine, the clutch is smooth as butter and the fuse is not blown. I looked at all the connections, plugs and wires and they all look okay, however when I turn the ac on nothing happens at all. It doesn't engage, or even try to engage like its not getting the signal to turn on. Any ideas?

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Mulder · 12-21-2011, 10:31 PM

The system has a leak and enough refrigerant has leaked out to activate the low-pressure cutoff switch. Take it to a shop and have them put gauges on it, they will probably confirm that the system is either very low or empty. Next step is to locate the leak and repair it.

elohdaeh78 · 12-22-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulder

The system has a leak and enough refrigerant has leaked out to activate the low-pressure cutoff switch. Take it to a shop and have them put gauges on it, they will probably confirm that the system is either very low or empty. Next step is to locate the leak and repair it.

Thank you, I will take it to a shop to figure that out.

skep18 · 03-17-2012, 02:59 PM

Hey, I have the same issue. Any follow up on whether or not that was the issue? Though it seems painfully obvious that it is, haha.

skep18 · 03-19-2012, 09:24 AM

curiosity bump

CRAZYHAWK · 03-19-2012, 12:03 PM

In the past I've used this product with good results on my 2001 Audi A4.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CH4Q8wIwAQ#

elohdaeh78 · 03-19-2012, 01:36 PM

I put more refrigerant in the system and the compressor now engages...next step is to find the leak.

CRAZYHAWK · 03-19-2012, 03:50 PM

The product I used has a stop leak in it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elohdaeh78

I put more refrigerant in the system and the compressor now engages...next step is to find the leak.

skep18 · 03-19-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAZYHAWK

The product I used has a stop leak in it.

Is that potentially harmful for the compressor in any way? I know sometimes these stop-leaks can potentially clog things up in the system. Thanks.

skep18 · 03-19-2012, 05:04 PM

The Owner's Manual and the label on the AC heat exchanger lists the refrigerant as being HFC134a. Is this ok to mix with the "recharge kits" that use R134a?

Edit: Sooo indicators online seem to point at they're the same thing... anyone confirm? Thanks.

Also, any more opinions on the "stop leak" solutions?

CRAZYHAWK · 03-19-2012, 07:15 PM

If you just add one container with the stop leak, it should be good.
They are the same (hydroflurocarbon).

Quote:

Originally Posted by skep18

The Owner's Manual and the label on the AC heat exchanger lists the refrigerant as being HFC134a. Is this ok to mix with the "recharge kits" that use R134a?

Edit: Sooo indicators online seem to point at they're the same thing... anyone confirm? Thanks.

Also, any more opinions on the "stop leak" solutions?

awdtoy · 03-19-2012, 08:01 PM

i had the same problem. Leak was at the lines going in the compressor. Replaced the Orings and everything is fine now.

skep18 · 03-20-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAZYHAWK

If you just add one container with the stop leak, it should be good.
They are the same (hydroflurocarbon).

Quote:

Originally Posted by awdtoy

i had the same problem. Leak was at the lines going in the compressor. Replaced the Orings and everything is fine now.

Yea, just for posterity, I bought a refill can and it took almost all 16oz. Cut the engine off and heard a hissing. Found the leak at a mating point. Knowing moisture probably got inside, I took it to the dealership to have the system placed under vacuum before recharging, otherwise I'd have done it myself. They found 2 leaking o-rings. Replaced them. $244 + tax... Not thrilled but better than destroying an AC compressor over time.

ryanschram · 03-30-2012, 04:51 PM

same problem, i had the system refilled and it still will not engage, even after installing a new compressor and relay. the fuse is good too. seems the ecu is not sending the ground signal to the relay.

Thoughts?

12-21-2011, 10:17 PM	#1
elohdaeh78 Scooby Specialist Member#: 61395 Join Date: May 2004 Location: North NJ Vehicle: 2005 WRX CGM	AC compressor won't engage, help So my ac compressor just stopped working today. I checked the belt and its fine, the clutch is smooth as butter and the fuse is not blown. I looked at all the connections, plugs and wires and they all look okay, however when I turn the ac on nothing happens at all. It doesn't engage, or even try to engage like its not getting the signal to turn on. Any ideas? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

03-19-2012, 05:04 PM	#10
skep18 Scooby Newbie Member#: 214971 Join Date: Jun 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: TN Vehicle: 2005 WRX Silver	The Owner's Manual and the label on the AC heat exchanger lists the refrigerant as being HFC134a. Is this ok to mix with the "recharge kits" that use R134a? Edit: Sooo indicators online seem to point at they're the same thing... anyone confirm? Thanks. Also, any more opinions on the "stop leak" solutions? Last edited by skep18; 03-19-2012 at 05:12 PM.

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12-21-2011, 10:31 PM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	The system has a leak and enough refrigerant has leaked out to activate the low-pressure cutoff switch. Take it to a shop and have them put gauges on it, they will probably confirm that the system is either very low or empty. Next step is to locate the leak and repair it.

03-17-2012, 02:59 PM	#4
skep18 Scooby Newbie Member#: 214971 Join Date: Jun 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: TN Vehicle: 2005 WRX Silver	Hey, I have the same issue. Any follow up on whether or not that was the issue? Though it seems painfully obvious that it is, haha.

03-19-2012, 09:24 AM	#5
skep18 Scooby Newbie Member#: 214971 Join Date: Jun 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: TN Vehicle: 2005 WRX Silver	curiosity bump

03-19-2012, 12:03 PM	#6
CRAZYHAWK Scooby Specialist Member#: 198067 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: RAMSEY, NJ Vehicle: 2009 IMPREZA 2.5i 4d WHITE Premium	In the past I've used this product with good results on my 2001 Audi A4. http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CH4Q8wIwAQ#

03-19-2012, 01:36 PM	#7
elohdaeh78 Scooby Specialist Member#: 61395 Join Date: May 2004 Location: North NJ Vehicle: 2005 WRX CGM	I put more refrigerant in the system and the compressor now engages...next step is to find the leak.

03-19-2012, 08:01 PM	#12
awdtoy Scooby Newbie Member#: 152728 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Chandler,AZ Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR WRB	i had the same problem. Leak was at the lines going in the compressor. Replaced the Orings and everything is fine now.

03-30-2012, 04:51 PM	#14
ryanschram Scooby Newbie Member#: 89963 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Manhattan, Kansas	same problem, i had the system refilled and it still will not engage, even after installing a new compressor and relay. the fuse is good too. seems the ecu is not sending the ground signal to the relay. Thoughts?