My AC stopped working the other day

[Bird-o-Prey]

Does anyone know where the relay for the A/C compressor is in an Eagle wagon?  Is it one of the relays in the rear passenger side of the engine bay?  Or, is it on the fuse block??  I fixed the micro switch in the dash last year and that's still OK.  I had the pressure sensor replace last year.  It was working last week.  I had left the controls set on A/C and was turning it on and off with the fan switch.  The blower still works at all 3 speeds.  If I put a jumper to the compressor, the car starts blowing KKOOOLLLDD right away.  The guy at the A/C shop said his bet is on the relay.  Now I just need to find it.

Thanks!!

[JayRamb]

There is a lead wire from the compressor hanging down from the back side of the compressor to a loom of wires on the pass. side. Pull that apart, put a little die-letric grease on it. I had to do that to mine and my compressor and a/c has kicked on ever since. Worth a try!

[Bird-o-Prey]

Well, I have not been able to find any relays for the AC.  After looking at the AC wiring diagram, I don't think there is one.  Not externally, anyway.  Is it possible that the AC thermostat has a relay in it?  One of the things I notice is the lack of the clicking sound coming from behind the glovebox.  The clicking sound is very reminiscent of an electrical switch going on and off.  It also coincides with the cycling of the AC pump.  So, logically, it must be a relay type switch set up with the thermostat.  Does anyone have an extra AC thermostat they would be willing to part with

Cheers

[Bird-o-Prey]

Anyone...anyone...Bueller...Bueller...Bueller........

[Bird-o-Prey]

WOW.  No one with an AMC thermostat for the AC??  I have the car inside apart right now.  I'm trying to trace the wiring for the AC.  I cannot find a separate relay for the AC system inside the car.  The fuse block has a 25amp fuse for the blower motor and AC clutch, but no separate relays that I can find.  Is there ANYONE with some info on this??  Does anyone have an AC thermostat for sale?? 

Cheers

[AMC of Houston]

Well, the only switches I know of that would affect compressor operation are the low pressure cutout (which may or may not be on your car), and the micro switch on the A/C control head (keeps the comp from coming on unless on A/C or defrost settings).    There are no A/C "relays" on the Eagle.     Really need to know what year/model of Eagle you have, and whether a factory A/C or dealer-installed American Air setup (which will also look "factory").

[rollguy]

Try bypassing the low pressure cutout switch and see if the compressor comes on.   If there are only two switches, one of them is bad, or no power to the switches (bad fuse?).

[Jurjen]

There is no relay.
Note that the blower has to be running, for the A/C to work.
There is a thermostat behind the glove compartment, make a jumper for the wires going to it.
And as Rollguy says: try jumping the pressure cut-out, it is on the drivers side of the radiator.

[amcinstaller]

its likely the pressure switch, and id look somewhere around the drier for it (that can lookin thing on the hard lines for the ac), under the hood.

[JayRamb]

I was trying to fill my 84 Eagle with a conversion R134A in hopes of the compressor coming on. My system is out of freon. It wouldn't accept any freon from the valve of the can. I don't know where to begin!?!!  I have no idea of know if the compressor clutch is bad or where to start. Any one!?!

[mudkicker715]

Did you open the valve?

[JayRamb]

I know nothing about A/C. I probably didn't open the valve. I just turned on the MAX A/C.

[mudkicker715]

To the front ofthe fill are is a cap screw underneath is somthing like a 1/4" screw. Turn it out. It should than charge.

[JayRamb]

To the front ofthe fill are is a cap screw underneath is somthing like a 1/4" screw. Turn it out. It should than charge.

AH! WILL DO!!!!

[mudkicker715]

Also it should be square.

[Jurjen]

Back on topic (B-O-P's problem):
Here is a picture of the A/C thermostat:



I took it out. Normally this prevents the A/C evaporator from icing up.
W/O the thermostat, it is the "desert cool" option.
Since desert air is dry and hot, you would need the full cooling action of the A/C without the thermostat switching off and on.

[txjeeptx]

That is the AC thermostat that "ticks" when cycling the compressor - try bypassing it, and make sure the control cable going to it hasn't come off.

[Bird-o-Prey]

THANKS!!  I really appreciate the help!  I had the whole inside of the car apart (short of pulling the dash out).  I realize that there is no relay now.  The guy at the AC repair shop kept insisting that there should be one, which had me on the wrong track from the start.  I had jumper-ed the pressure cut out switch...no joy; Then I jumper-ed the thermostat...again, no joy.  So, finally, I did the nasty and took out the radio and checked the micro switch in the temperature control head (which couldn't possibly be the problem since I fixed it last year...right? )  A little wiggle here, and a poke and a prod there, lo & behold, the micro switch was not making contact!  GRRRRRRR! !!  So, after all this messing around and hauling out the inside of my car, I fixed the situation.  I should have followed my first instinct, which was to check the micro switch in the first place.  But wait, there's more!!  So, after farting around with this all day in the sun with temps in the upper 20's, I realize that my lift gate has been open all day.  So, naturally this leads to a dead battery.  Sigh!  This morning i jumpstart the car and drive to the office and shut the car off (backed into the stall though) and sure enough, no re-start.  But wait...it get's better!!  When I am done and ready to go home, I find a willing victim in the parking lot to give me a boost.  I get the jumper cables all set up, but the ground comes off on his truck.  He goes to reconnect it and I can here things under my hood going "click" "pop" "click" as he fumbles with the ground cable.  We get the car started, but no my altmeter gauge is reading up around the 161/2 mark.  This means only one thing...the voltage regulator is toast and I have to rebuild the alternator...AGAIN!!  That is what I am going out to do right now.  I bought a BOSCH rebuilt alternator which has a 2 year warranty and a rebuild kit so I can have a spare alternator on the shelf.  What a rigmarole just to get the AC working!!  Once again, thanks for all the help with this AC nightmare.

Cheers

[Jurjen]

Wow, what a story. I have a motorcycle like that, have to do the same repairs every year.
Everytime I think I did the best professional job ever, so I never doubt my work....until.
Cars and bikes are not supposed to have personalities, but sometimes I think they do.
Eggs for staying positive.