A/C empty on my 1983 Monte?

[rmorman]

Hello,
I recently inherited a 305 powered 1983 Monte Carlo. It has factory air that was converted to 134A by the local Chevrolet dealership a few years back. I have been working on fixing some stuff as it has sat for almost two years. I was checking on the A/C when I realized that it was not working. No matter if I have the selector on Max, Normal or Bi-level A/C, the compressor will not come on. I have checked the power at the compressor and it is not getting any. I checked the fuse and it is fine. I talked to a guy from the local parts store and he thought that it might be out of refrigant. He recommended taking off the wire plug on the pressure sensor and jumping the wires. If the compressor came on, it meant that the A/C was dry. I did exactly that and the compressor came on fine. Does this 100% sure mean that it is empty of 134A?

He also recommended, if it was dry, to go ahead and put in a new pressure sensor. Can I replace the sensor without "Openning up" the system?

Thanks,
Russ

 

[Ribbedroof]

It's either very low,empty, or has a defective pressure switch. Yes, there is SUPPOSED to be a schrader valve under the pressure switch, BUT I have seen some conversions where it has been removed.

Either way, you're going to want to evacuate the system for a good 30 minutes or more, and recharge. Hopefully, you will let someone do this that has the means to find the leak and repair it, otherwise it's throwing money away, and not doing the atmosphere any favors by allowing the refrigerant to escape into it.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Can't you get someone with a gauge set and see what, if any, refrigerant is in there?

 

[rmorman]

I'll either buy a gauge set or have it done professionally. Thanks for the input!!
Russ