a/c clutch will not engage

El Supracabras · 07-12-2011, 10:10 PM

First check to make sure there is refrigerant in the system. If there is not enough or none at all, the compressor clutch will not engage. If the system is full, it could be a bad pressure switch. These are easy to test by unplugging it and jumping the terminals to bypass the switch. There are other causes for your problem but those 2 are the most common and would be the easiest to check. Also if the car has not been retrofitted for R134A refrigerant (originally uses R12), you may have trouble getting it serviced at some shops.
I got hood lifts from Pep Boys for around $40 for both with 2 year warranty. Could probably find cheaper ones but the ones I bought appeared to be of decent quality.

07-12-2011, 10:10 PM	#4
El Supracabras 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 240	First check to make sure there is refrigerant in the system. If there is not enough or none at all, the compressor clutch will not engage. If the system is full, it could be a bad pressure switch. These are easy to test by unplugging it and jumping the terminals to bypass the switch. There are other causes for your problem but those 2 are the most common and would be the easiest to check. Also if the car has not been retrofitted for R134A refrigerant (originally uses R12), you may have trouble getting it serviced at some shops. I got hood lifts from Pep Boys for around $40 for both with 2 year warranty. Could probably find cheaper ones but the ones I bought appeared to be of decent quality.