Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

dtom4 on Mon August 06, 2012 3:50 PM

Year: 2001
Make: Saab
Model: 9-5
Engine Size: 2.3
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Ambient Temp: 90
Pressure Low: 100
Pressure High: 100
Country of Origin: United States

Just got car back from having engine swapped. Driving home was cool. Had to bring car back to mechanic right away for unrelated problem. Got car
back he said compressor is on its way out. Nothing but warm air on the way home. Took a look at it today and compressor is not coming on. Put manifold gauges on it and read 98psi low and same for high. When I shut car off both pressures climbed a bit to 103 before settling back to 98. I pressed down on the low side valve and got a very strong spray so seems to be charged. I was thinking maybe with all the moving around of the ac parts during the engine replacement it may have caused a leak but the low pressure is so high. Tried putting a bit in with a small can and the cheap trigger gauges that come in the kits but it didn't seem to take any. Could it be a false reading and the charge is too low for the compressor to kick on? The ac fuse in the engine fuse box is good and I'm getting constant 12v at the ac relay on terminal 30 and 12v with the car running at 86. Any help/input would be appreciated.

Dave

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Dave T.

mk378 on Mon August 06, 2012 7:20 PM

There is enough charge, the compressor should run. There is an electrical problem, or possibly the clutch gap is too wide.