Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

preusstang on Thu July 28, 2011 10:46 AM

Year: 2002
Make: Mazda
Model: Protege5
Engine Size: 2.0L
Refrigerant Type: ?
Ambient Temp: ?
Pressure Low: ?
Pressure High: ?
Country of Origin: Japan

Hello everyone,

I have a unique problem with my A/C that I can't figure out. Like the title implies, my A/C compressor will only turn on when my blower setting is set to '1'.

I have a temp knob, a blower speed knob, and an A/C button/light. As soon as I turn to a blower setting other than '1', the light turns off and so does my cold air

A friend told me that there was a bad switch, and proceeded to pop off the blower knob and wiggle the little control stick with a needle-nose. The A/C then magically worked
on blower settings 1 and 3. Now it has gone back to its previous state. How do I fix this?

BTW, sometimes, if I hold 'UP' on both of my automatic window controls, the A/C light will come on with the compressor for a few seconds...

Thanks for your help,

-Kyle

Cussboy on Thu July 28, 2011 2:51 PM

I have a 1988 made-in-Japan Mazda truck, and these sometimes experience similar issue, and are due to a faulty blower resistor pack, mounted on the evaporator case under the dashboard.

When I saw your post title, I suspected Mazda...

Edited: Thu July 28, 2011 at 2:52 PM by Cussboy

preusstang on Fri July 29, 2011 9:40 AM

preusstang on Fri July 29, 2011 9:58 AM

thanks for the quick response.

blower resistor pack? is this something that I can replace myself?

like, get rid of bad resistor(s) and solder new ones in?
and is it something i can confirm visually?

thanks again

mk378 on Fri July 29, 2011 10:25 AM

Does the blower work on all speeds?

preusstang on Fri July 29, 2011 5:45 PM

Yes, the blower always works on any speed.

Cussboy on Fri July 29, 2011 8:08 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: preusstang
thanks for the quick response.

blower resistor pack? is this something that I can replace myself?

like, get rid of bad resistor(s) and solder new ones in?
and is it something i can confirm visually?


On my 1988 Mazda, the blower resistor pack has a plug-in connection, and is bolted to the evaporator case under the dash. On mine, the resistor pack can be accessed after removing the glove box. I don't know if you can tell visually, and (of course) maybe something else is wrong. And just because AutoZone lists these (special order) http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/2002-Mazda-Protege/A-C-Heater-Blower-Motor-Resistor/_/N-jhm3pZ91tag?filterByKeyWord=blower+resistor&fromString=search doesn't mean that yours is bad. On the Mazda truck board, the made-in-Japan trucks sometimes have same problem of AC with just certain fan speeds, and the resistor pack is always the culprit. Do a Search for blower resistor on Mazdatruckin.com

Do you have a mechanic versed at AC repair that you trust?



Edited: Fri July 29, 2011 at 8:09 PM by Cussboy

mk378 on Sat July 30, 2011 11:35 AM

I think if the OP is having this problem but the blower works on all speeds, it has a different type of system where the compressor is controlled by another contact in the blower switch (which would be closed for all speeds except off). So the switch would be bad.

preusstang on Thu August 04, 2011 4:41 PM

Quote
Do you have a mechanic versed at AC repair that you trust?
no, lol, i do not. i'll probably try this myself, although i have absolutely no experience. Im sure i can find some instructions online (hopefully)

Quote
...the compressor is controlled by another contact in the blower switch (which would be closed for all speeds except off). So the switch would be bad.
if this is the case, what exactly do i need to do? can i purchase just a switch?