A/C problems
 

My a/c is having problems and has been for some time. At first it started off when I turned on the a/c it would click on much harder than usual and the idle would drop real hard and oscillate upon brake application. After this was going on for a while, the a/c would periodically just stop working and blow hot air and kick back on randomly on it's own. Now it just doesn't kick on. When I turn it on I don't hear the compressor and it doesn't blow cold. I don't know much about a/c units or anything. I recently learned there is a clutch type mechanism in it which controls It when it kicks on. Is this the problem? My dad says it needs lube or something? Some sort of lubrication?

When was the A/C system last "repaired"?

wait, does your car run now?

Im not sure, I will have to check the records. Not in the last 4 years since I've owned the car.
Lol no not yet. Im ordering a new CAS soon and hopefully that will fix that issue. Just trying to figure out some other problems as well in my downtime so I can try to get everything done at once. I have a turbo kit waiting to go on and I want the car running perfectly before I put it on

It's probably is low on freon.

the magnetic clutch doesn't engage if the pressure sensor doesn't see enough pressure.
the "lubrication" is included in the freon
so what you really need to do is just refill the system and/or check for leaks

I'm worried that a previous "repair" may have been made to the A/C system and done improperly. I'm worried that the system was not vacuumed prior to addition of the refrigerant (oxygen in system) and I'm worried that when the system was refilled, it was refilled with the least expensive refrigerant (Basic R-134/R-12 with no additional PAG oil included). I'm then worried that your compressor, without the proper lubrication and with excess oxygen, became damaged over several years, causing the rough A/C problems you describe. Finally, I'm worried that, because of the rough running of the compressor, a seal on the compressor eventually failed, which caused a slow loss of pressure in your system until the compressor would kick on either intermittently or not at all.

Or it could just be a slow leak in your system and you need a recharge.

Sounds like a perfect excuse for some weight reduction.

Was 100% with you, until recharge. Unless you are reclaiming 100% of the refrigerant, and then refilling with a proper AC machine (not a can), the system has been compromised, and 100% of everything needs replaced. If there is a leak, moisture and other contaminates may have entered the system, requiring a "from scratch" overhaul.


OP: It sounds like the compressor may not be engaging properly. Unfortunately, there really isn't a good way to repair most compressors. If it has to be removed, the system will need to be taken to an AC shop, and recharged, after the system has been purged under vacuum.

Has the car ever seen AC in a can style "fixes"? If so, when you deal with the compressor, the evap, condenser, collector, fixed orifice tube, and all lines will need replaced to do a proper repair.

Or, just slap on a compressor, use some AC in a can, and wait for the rest of the system to die, then replace the compressor again, and do everything else.



AC work sucks. It's all or nothing.



TL;DR. You need a compressor, and likely other stuff.