A/C problems, running out of ideas

[prorac1]

Heres the deal. The A/C just kicks off for no apperant reason. Happens about every 3 months. Than, about a week later, it will just pop back on and start working again. The high and low pressure are good, (checked when compressor WAS running) The relay and pressure switch were swaped for known working ones, the ECM has been swaped, and the battery has been disconected countless times to try to reset. All the fuses have been checked, and the wiring to the compressor is good. The compressor wont come on and the fans wont come on either. BTW, the fans DO work when the ECM comands them on by temp. I AM TOTALLY LOST ON THIS, I AM OUT OF IDEAS, lol. ARGHHHHHHHHHHH. Any input is appreciated. Cause metro cruise sucked without A/C, lol. Last time this happened was the 4th of July, than about 3 days later it came back to life. The car is a 1997 Camaro SS with an OBD1 conversion. Thanks Eric L

[1BADAIR]

did you check the interior controls?

[prorac1]

No, I havent yet, but I do know that the vacuum doors are all working. But figure this out Larry. OH.....................MY......................... ....GOD. Now, im REALLY confused. I did as fastbird said over on LTXtech. I pulled the plug on the compressor, tested voltage with key off as a control. It read 0, good. I tested it with key on, it read 0, kinda as i figured. I started car, multi meter read 13.4, I says, darn, sounds like its an electromagnet in the clutch, damn. So I turn the car off, and plug it back in. Just for grins, I start the car BACK up, turn the AC back on, and CLICK...................................The DARN compressor kicks on, ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH. What could it be? A bad connection at the compressor? I disconnected the battery and pulled all the fuses earlier to do a master reset. I even swaped ECMs. WTF. Yeah, im glad its working, but if I dont figure out why, im no further than i was before. DUDE. lol, that is all, lol. Eric L

[98blackbeauty]

Well you made progress. start at A/C clutch plug when it fails next time. keep a log so you don't get confused or forget.

[chris2001_15]

One cause of the ac compressor to kick on and off is low pressure in the lines. Seems you have checked everything else. The lines may have pressure, but be on the borderline of being able to turn the compressor on. If everything else is working properly in the system as far as you can tell, get a place to recover the freon from the car. Record the amount taken out and do a vacuum check to see if there is any small leaks in the system, then charge the system back up to whatever it needs.
Edit: I didn't read the last post quite so well, if you rule out electrical issues then read what I wrote above, lol

[prorac1]

Weve pulled a vacuum on the system, and its leak free. The pressure in the system is over 200 psi on the high side, and I cant remember the reading on the low side, but it was more than acceptable. Im guessing its either a bad connection at the plug, or it could be the air gap on the electro magnet. I guess we will just keep logging and tracking it till we figure it out. Eric L

[Swat]

How big of gap do you have on the clutch?

[1BADAIR]

hey. do you still deliver to the hollywood market here?

[prorac1]

I havent checked the air gap yet, been busy with work. Im planing on checking it in the morning. BTW, nice maro Swat. I KNEW you were going to do that, lol. I have in the past, but I havent been to that one in oxford area in quite a while. Eric L

[prorac1]

I just checked the airgap on the compressor clutch. I still have to look up the spec, but mine measured out at .012-.015. Im off to look up the spec. Eric L

[Swat]

Thanks, that's fine. I thought it may have been on the edge of being too much & the magnet may not have always grabbed it.

[prorac1]

Yeah, the air gap is more than acceptable. Im thinking that it may be a connectivity problem at the plug. I think my next step is going to be tweaking the prongs, cleaning the connections, and reapplying dieelectric grease to it and see if it flys. I may not have the mystery solved, but im deffinately getting close. Eric L