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2001 Saturn L200 - AC clutch wont engage

Tiny
JMARAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN L200
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
I charged up my system on Thursday, Ac ran fine that evening, Friday and all day Saturday. However, on Sunday morning, no cold air.

When I press the AC button, I see the idle drop ~200rpm, but no cold air. I checked all fuses, changed the relay, recharged the system. Nothing.

Eventually I checked the compressor and the clutch is frozen/not moving independently of the pulley. Purchased a used/tested compressor which had a turning clutch, and installed it. Recharged the system, and still nothing.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated?
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Monday, June 7th, 2010 AT 9:14 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
When you replaced the compressor did you counter balance the oil in the a/c system?Meaning when you took the old compressor off you see how much oil you can dump out of it if you get like 3oz's then you put 3oz's back in. If you get little or no oil out you put in a default of 2oz's of a/c oil. Pretty important step. Also when you charged the system up after you replaced the compressor how many oz's of charge did you Charge it with?Let me know.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
JMARAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ouch. I wasn't aware it was recommended to measure how much oil came out. At the auto parts store they sell 8oz cans of oil and 23oz cans of freon.

I loaded one full can of oil and two of freon. The second can of freon didn't load everything into the system. When I detached it, there was still pressure in the can and a little freon came out if I turned it upside down.

BTW - thanks for the reply. Any guidance?
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Well you have a lot of oil in the system. You put almost two 23 oz can's of r-134a in the system?There's your problem your over charged your system only holds almost 33 oz's. Too much charge equals too much pressure in system mean's a/c compressor is told to shut off. You need to start by getting the correct amount of charge in your system. Let me know how it work's when you do that.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
JMARAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I put 1 x 8oz can, plus 2 x 12 ounce cans, but recall that the last 12 OZ can still had some pressure and freon in it when I was done. So it was less than 32 OZs that I put in.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
See if the a/c compressor will kick on if it doe's then you can see if rest of that can will go in while the a/c is running. Let me know how it goes.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 9:59 PM

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