AC dosen't engage

[Herbert]

When I depress the blue AC button on my FJ62 the compressor doesn't engage. I hear a click in the dash area, though. I checked the fuse for the AC. It's fine. What should I check next?
Thanks!

 

[John Smith]

You need to make sure there is freon in the system or it will not engage the compressor. Take it to an AC shop and make sure it is charged.

 

[cruzerfetish]

I have a 60 and not sure the differences but I just got my A/C working and the compressor wasn't engaging after a freon charge. Ended up being the stabilizer amplifier which is on the evaporator. The figured out a way to rig it so the compressor is always running until I can source a replacement. It was critical for me to get it working b/c we are driving it across country with two cats and a bunch of records. Hopefully it will hold up.

 

[loeky]

you need to hire a proper Number 2 to help you initiate the proper A/C sequence.






... sorry, couldn't resist. i got nothin.

 

[Exiled]

I have a 60 and not sure the differences but I just got my A/C working and the compressor wasn't engaging after a freon charge. Ended up being the stabilizer amplifier which is on the evaporator. The figured out a way to rig it so the compressor is always running until I can source a replacement. It was critical for me to get it working b/c we are driving it across country with two cats and a bunch of records. Hopefully it will hold up.

Can you share some thoughts on how you did that? Did you modify the amplifier itself, or just jump the compressor with a separate switch? Curious, I'm facing similar circumstances.

 

[soggy60]

On the FJ60, I imagine the 62 is the same, the wire to the compressor clutch has a 'connector' about 10 inches up from the compressor.

open connector
Place a piece of wire 'in' the connector
close connector.

Connect wire through a switch to the battery ( or better yet, something that's 'hot with ignition key on' )

Note, if you compressor is'nt kicking on 'automatically' due to low freon pressure; you still won't get cold air and chance ruining compressor !

 

[srplus]

cruzerfetish & exiled

can you define the steps that were taken to determine that it was the stabilizer amplifier on the evaporator? and what other possibilities were eliminated first?

i am trying to diagnose / fix the same exact problem in my 60. right now the easy ghetto fix is to rig a jumper wire like soggy60 says... only difference is that i just put alligator clamps on either end and have an inline fuse in it. hook as needed and unhook when the vehicle is not running. someone else told me that the compressor was not supposed to run when the rpm's were low... i am still trying to insure that the controller for that or what ever monitors that is not where the problem is. when the truck is running and the compressor is jumped out with the wire it is cold... unhook the wire and it never really gets cold. really need more info here to complete repair.

 

[cruzerfetish]

I called my a/c guy to ask about it and he said I should bring it in if I want them to show me how they did it. Might be able to do that but am really busy with preparing for the big move. Let me post a pic soon of what they did and maybe that will give someone a better idea of what they did. All I know is it works now. Haven't been on a long enough drive for it to freeze up yet...

I am pretty sure the compressor only runs when the a/c is on so if it is true that you shouldn't run the compresoor at low rpms then you could turn off the a/c. I am going to play the role of ignoramus and not worry about that and if it is damaged I will deal with it then. I was just happy to get teh a/c working for 125 bucks.

srplus,
Looks from your avatar that you may be in FL, if so the guy who fixed my a/c is in Orlando, maybe you are close enough to go to him?

 

[srplus]

wanted to diagnose, track down and repair myself this time... orlando is a heck of a drive in an old cruiser (over 500 mi)... especially with the wind whistling in your ears from open windows. many competent A/C guys here (on newer imports or american cars). paying to educate them to find the problem on the old LC is what i don't appreciate.

 

[cruzerfetish]

so I take that as a not in Central FL response. These guys didn't have a clue about LCs but I left them the FSMs and I think 125 isn't really paying them to learn. Just a great price. I would take it to ghetto A/C inc. Anyway, I will post up the pics soon (if that will help I have no clue), as far as how they came to the conclusion of what is was.... I don't know. I was standing there. The guy started charging the system, turned on the air, said "compressor isn't engaging." Stood there for a few minutes and messed around, then said "I think there is an electrical problem." "Bring it back when you can leave it for a few hours." When I picked it, he told me that he rigged it and showed me what to replace when I could find the part, with the caveat that if that didn't fix things I might be better off rigging it back the way he had done it...

Let me post the pics, then if it will help I will unwrap the electrical tape and see what is going on inside..

 

[cruzerfetish]

pic might not have come out great. The stabilizer amplifier is the green thing in the top right, that is where the taped connector went before the rig job.

 

[soggy60]

with engine running and fan set on low speed, press little blue A/C button; If you hear a 'dink' A/C controller ('amplifier' ) is most likely (not garanteed) working. You may be a tad low on freon; you could have a bad connection between pressure sensor ( well hidden from view & access; inside duct at evap) and rest of a/c harness....