electrical problem with A/C compressor [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: electrical problem with A/C compressor


Andy69
Jun 23rd, 09, 10:56 AM
This is the ongoing search for the reason the compressor won't cycle on in my 69 GS400. I've posted this to V8Buicks, but this site has a lot more traffic. I might get one or two responses over there :(

I have a wiring diagram displayed below. It is different than the 69 Chevelle A/C.

The problem is I have no power to the compressor regardless of the position of the switch on the dash. Everything else works as it should - the fan speeds, switching between defrost, heater, and vent. The only problem seems to be that the compressor will not come on when the switch is placed in the A/C or recirculate positions.

I've got no power at the compressor with the A/C on. I've got power on the dash side of the red wire at two wire line connector in the lower left of the diagram, but not at the dark green wire, regardless of the position of the A/C switch. There does not seem to be a thermal switch anywhere like on the Chevelles. I guess they figured Buick owners have more money and can keep their cars in heated garages :) Since the problem apparently lies inside the car, and the blower works, I am assuming the A/C relay is fine.

I suspect the Compressor Clutch Control Switch might be bad, but I'm not sure how it works. I don't think it's a direct switch on the dash, but is probably a relay activated by the position of the blower and function selector switches. I already checked the fuses, but I will check those again JTBS, because I've been caught by that once before :) . I want to check every possible easy location before I try to replace or repair the CCCS, because removing it requires that I completely diassemble the dash (remove glove box and ductwork, remove dash pad, remove dash bezel - the dash bezel screws are covered by the dash pad, and the other stuff needs to come off to gain access to the dash pad screws)

Any ideas?

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/1970_AC_Wiring_Diagram.jpg

lsrx101
Jun 23rd, 09, 1:14 PM
The current flow for the compressor is :
Fuse.......>through the blower switch.......>through the Comp Control switch...through the clutch coil th ground.
What they are calling the "AC Relay" in the diagram is actually the "High Blower Relay" and doesn't control the compressor.

It looks like if you have power at the tan wire on the blower resistor, you will also have power going to the comp switch. If you don't have power to the green wire at the line connector the comp control switch is not closing.
That is, of course, assuming there are no broken wires anywhere.

Andy69
Jun 23rd, 09, 1:31 PM
excellent. thanks for the response.

I'm trying to get this up and running by Saturday's car show. It's supposed to be 100° :eek:

I'm hoping it's not the CCCS, since when I did a search for "compressor clutch control switch" on Google, the only thing that came up was the post I made over at V8Buick :clonk:

Andy69
Jun 23rd, 09, 1:48 PM
OK, so the fuse HAS to be good if the blower and heater are working. Just thinking out loud here.

lsrx101
Jun 23rd, 09, 3:24 PM
OK, so the fuse HAS to be good if the blower and heater are working. Just thinking out loud here.

Yup!

Elree Colby
Jun 23rd, 09, 4:44 PM
The clutch control switch, on your 69 Buick, might located on top of the under dash heater/ac box.

pnugene
Jun 24th, 09, 12:38 AM
Andy, run a temporary jumper wire from the tan wire on the resistor (should be on the blower box at the firewall) to the dark green wire on the compressor. With any fan switch position except OFF, the compressor should cycle on. If it does, the compressor control switch is bad. If it doesn't run, check the compressor and it's harness.

Andy69
Jun 24th, 09, 7:56 AM
Andy, run a temporary jumper wire from the tan wire on the resistor (should be on the blower box at the firewall) to the dark green wire on the compressor. With any fan switch position except OFF, the compressor should cycle on. If it does, the compressor control switch is bad. If it doesn't run, check the compressor and it's harness.

ah! excellent, thanks. I'll try that tonight.

Andy69
Jun 24th, 09, 10:57 PM
I tried jumping from the tan wire. It worked! I had to put another can of R134a and I got it up to 55 psi. It blows cold, now.

The only question is, can I leave that jumper hooked up tmeporarily so I can have air until I locate a new heater and AC control unit?

Elree Colby
Jun 24th, 09, 11:28 PM
Is this what your control head looks like? 69 Chevelles have the clutch control switch on top of the heater/ac box. If this is what your control head looks like then that is not the case with your GS.

http://i17.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/2c/f7/411b_1.JPG

http://i1.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/2c/f7/4211_1.JPG

Andy69
Jun 24th, 09, 11:30 PM
Is this what your control head looks like? 69 Chevelles have the clutch control switch on top of the heater/ac box. If this is what your control head looks like then that is not the case with your GS.

http://i17.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/2c/f7/411b_1.JPG

http://i1.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/2c/f7/4211_1.JPG

that's it. those two little vertical slots on the left center are where the plug goes. Looks like it's integrated with the entire unit. Good to know. I found one for sale on Ebay for $70 but I think I can find it cheaper.

Andy69
Jun 24th, 09, 11:31 PM
hey, that thing for sale? cmon help a brother out :)

pnugene
Jun 24th, 09, 11:54 PM
I tried jumping from the tan wire. It worked! I had to put another can of R134a and I got it up to 55 psi. It blows cold, now.

The only question is, can I leave that jumper hooked up tmeporarily so I can have air until I locate a new heater and AC control unit?

That's good news. Yeah, it won't hurt anything until you locate a new switch. By the way, any word on your house offer in Olive Branch?

Andy69
Jun 25th, 09, 12:01 AM
That's good news. Yeah, it won't hurt anything until you locate a new switch. By the way, any word on your house offer in Olive Branch?

nothing yet.

We were supposed to hear today. Too early to tell if they are playing games.

Elree Colby
Jun 25th, 09, 8:58 AM
Yes it's for sale on e-bay, BIN $130.00

If you want just the switch look at this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1969-72-Buick-Wildcat-Electra-Heater-A-C-Switch_W0QQitemZ350212314245QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMot ors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item518a47d48 5&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

Andy69
Jun 25th, 09, 9:58 AM
Yes it's for sale on e-bay, BIN $130.00

If you want just the switch look at this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1969-72-Buick-Wildcat-Electra-Heater-A-C-Switch_W0QQitemZ350212314245QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMot ors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item518a47d48 5&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

I just found that one and hit the BIN. I found one place on the net that wanted $125, and Cars, Inc wants $229 :eek: