95 Saturn SL2 - A/C leak?

95SATURNSL2

MEMBER
1995 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
166 MILES

Ive got an a/c problem in my 95 saturn sl2. The compressor / clutch are great. Originally when I bought the car (at ~160k miles)they didnt run. But I jumped the pressure switch and they ran and compressed the system, now they run like they should. I bought a recharge kit and I cant seem to get any more than 25 psi through the low port. It goes up to 45 or 50, even 60, then shoots back down to 25. I bought a uv dye refrigerant. I didnt see the uv dye aaaanywhere. And I also hear a whistling noise when I turn off my car which just started since the compressors been running again. First hissing for 5 seconds, then a whistle. Im convinced it's the leak I cant find, but not sure. Im also feeling a serious vibration in the gas pedal when I turn on my fan, but I dont think it has anything to do with the a/c. Any ideas?

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

You're messing around in an area that is not only very dangerous but you can do a lot of damage to the system by proceeding the wrong way. You should never jump the low pressure switch for anything more than a couple seconds for testing or you will end up taking out the compressor. It sounds like your system either has a restriction or is low on refrigerant but I suggest you let a profession look at it.

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 10:21 PM

95SATURNSL2

MEMBER
16 POSTS

I was careful with it and didnt jump it for more than 5 seconds or so, I understand the ramifications there. If it is just a leak I would rather find it and replace the part and the drier/accumulator as well. What kind of restriction do you mean? Air or solid matter? Also what I dont understand is why the system was pressurized to begin with, but the switch was disengaged if there was both voltage and continuity.

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 11:16 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

The restriction could be solid matter or an inoperative expansion valve. It depends how much static pressure you started with as the the reason the switch didn't kick on. It may be too low on refrigerant or the switch could be defective. These are all things that needs to be diagnosed properly. The only way to know if it has the right amount of refrigerant is to completely evacuate the system and recharge it with a measured charge. Only then will the pressure readings be of any value.

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 11:27 PM