Air conditioner issue

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 1998 SATURN SL2
  • 190,000 MILES
So the other day I added a can of refrigerant to try and boost cold from air conditioner used it that day. Next time I started it air conditioner did not come on neither indicator light on buttons air conditioner and recycle air works. I checked under-hood 10 amp air conditioner fuse okay and inside fuse for HVAC okay! Also switched under-hood relay. Now what? Is there another fuse to check?
Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 1:22 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Have you tried wiggling around the blower speed switch? I have seen those effect the lights on the buttons.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
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Okay the lights are on when fan is on but still no cold so I guess I will have to start at compressor and trace backwards.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
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The gas you put in could have leaked out. What are the high and low pressures? Also you do not know how much was in before you added charge. Things we need to think about.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
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System has never leaked much over long time I did put a can in last year or year before. Yes, I will take low pressure test to see what it reads if I get compressor to run.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
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We need pressures without the compressor running? Since the compressor does not turn on. Air conditioners leak can change at anytime. I have had suction hoses off the compressor pop while I am charging the system. Scares me every time, lol. So leaks can get bigger at anytime.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
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Oh, never have done a static pressure check. Can try it.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
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Let's do that and see if there is enough pressure in the system to the compressor come on.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
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Yes, my usual static test is poke valve with screwdriver.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2016 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
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Yeah, that only tells us it is not completely empty.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
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If I get a hiss I am confident it just needs Freon, no serious leaks.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
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I should have said if I get a weak hiss.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
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I cannot work that way people would be mad at me, lol.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
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When its your own vehicle your allowed to take shortcuts.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
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Yah its prety much empty just a tiny hiss
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:13 PM
Tiny
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Somethin musta gave out proly a hose the main low pressure shows stains at joint with rubber
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
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The hose that is right in front of the exhaust manifold gets roasted and they become brittle and leak/pop
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
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It dont look brittle or hard maybe cuz im in a northern climate?
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
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Guess i'll try addin some again the stuff is pretty cheap
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
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Get some with AC dye in it but without stop leak in it. There's no shield on the exhaust manifold so all the heat radiates to that hose.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
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That hose is one of the most common places to leak. Also make sure the hoses on the AC compressor are tight. Especially the top hose that on can loosen up over time.
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Monday, August 15th, 2016 AT 12:49 PM

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