AC Problems

[sly]

check the low pressure switch connections. If there's refrigerant oil (green looking oil) on the terminals, replace that sensor - it's leaking. If not, get some dielectric grease and put some on the terminals when you put them back together. Same with the relay. Check the terminals for crud (even though you just plugged in a new one) and maybe even clean out the relay harness. If the wires going to the relay are loosing insulation the contacts may be to blame (resistive and making heat). Clean them and put some dielectric grease on them too.

also, sometimes new parts die... so it may have just been a bad relay.

[Laysan_A]

Yeah, I should get some dielectric grease. I've been using vaseline.

I went out and fired it up, and after having set for a while it started working right away, and I noticed the clutch cycling on and off as you would expect it to do. Checking the vent temp., it was in the mid forties - about what I've seen from others here. However, after I had been charging it for a while again the compressor once again began running continuously. I checked the vent temp. and it was at 38, as it was the last time it stopped working. I began to think that maybe it was overheating and tripping a safety switch, so I shut it down from inside the car for a couple minutes and restarted it.

Of course I don't really know what's going on at all - I'm just guessing. I'm done with charging it for now - unless someone tells me it needs more refrigerant in order to work properly. I've got about 27-28 psi at 68-69F - a bit low, but it cools fine. I'm hoping that whatever is causing the compressor to run continuously is caused by recharging, and that it will cycle normally again after it has a chance to "settle in". Idk...I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll wait to see how it does over a period of time during actual use. I've kept the thermometer in the vent so I'll be able to tell what it's doing by the vent temp...

BTW...what kind of gas mileage should I be getting? Our previous daily was an '88 Olds Delta 88 Royale and it got around 16mpg in town. We're getting about 12-13 in town with the MGM. Seems pretty low.

[sly]

I get about 13mpg in my 88 when I drive fast. just filled up after doing a granny driving tank and got 16.5. but I have 3.55 gears so around town is better. with the 2.73 gears I only ever got about 14 at best around town. Yours may need a tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor), but you're in the ballpark. If you do a lot of idling or have lots of hills, you're doing good.

[gadget73]

Pressures look about right actually. Too high and you get less cooling. too low and it cuts the switch out. Its a fine balance to get it to behave and be effective.

[Laysan_A]

...you're in the ballpark. If you do a lot of idling or have lots of hills, you're doing good.

Good news AND bad news...(it does run nicely).

Pressures look about right actually.

Good to know. Thanks Gadget.

I'd like to say thanks Sly, for holding my hand through this. I appreciate it.

[sly]

no problem.