1978 Chrysler New Yorker

DANIEL BASKIN

MEMBER
1978 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
44,000 MILES

I recently purchased this vehicle and I have a problem with the air conditioner. I checked all the system components and everything appears to be working. I bought a recharge kit and filled the the system with as much as it would take. The problem I am having is that the system is working crazely. I can start the car and the air conditioner will work. I will shut off the car and next time I start it the system will blow hot air. I turn off the car and re-start it and the system will work. Other times it will not work no matter how many times I re-start the car. It also seems to work better on the regular air conditioner setting rather than on max settings. Any help would be appreciated. I have tried checking to see if the unit switches from air to heat and back and it does.

Thanks,
Dan

7 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

First, a 1978 has an R12 system, you can't buy R12 anymore, so what did you use? Has the system been converted?

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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 9:07 AM

DANIEL BASKIN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes, the system has been converted and I had a air conditioner serviceman vacuum the system before I added new freon R134a. I also checked the value that opens and closes for the heater and that also is working allows hot water to go to the heater core. The car runs just below the half way mark on the temperature gauge even on the hottest days. The air conditioner does work better when the outside temperature is below 90 degrees.

Thanks,
Dan

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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 10:23 AM

MERLIN2021

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17,250 POSTS

On Hotter days, like the 90's, register temp is OK if it reads in the 50's. Do you have a thermometer you can put in the dash while you drive? Take a reading and see what the temp is.

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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 3:19 PM

DANIEL BASKIN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you for the suggestion about testing the inside degrees. I will do that. I still need to know if anyone has a solution to my original problem.
Thanks,
Dan

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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 6:58 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You kneed to know a few things, the best test you can do is with a manifold gauge set, this way you can get the high and low side readings, and it's the only way to judge compressor perfomance problems, the one hose recharge bottles are useless. After you get the readings, you want 30 psi on the low side and 200-225 on the high side at 75-80 degrees. Make sure when your a/c switch is on, the compressor starts. Check the condition of your radiator fan clutch. And clean out the fins in the radiator and condenser with compressed air and a blow gun with a long attachment.