need some help...a/c does't work after coolant

[2oo3MustangGT]

i installed a set of autometer phantom gauges the other day so when i was installing the water temp i obviously drained the coolant out of the drain plug from the radiator and the engine block. filled it up with hose water and turned the heater on high and ran the car for a while to get it hot. drained it all out. filled up with fresh coolant and now my a/c blows hot. i also installed an oil temp/oil pressure gauge but that would have no connection to the a/c. i don't think i need a recharge kit b/c it worked fine on my drive earlier that day...drained/refilled the coolant and now it doesn't work.

 

[joshjwc9]

First of all, double check to see if the AC compressor is kicking on, I had a problem with mine with after a coolant flush the ac clutch started not grabbing and spinning up, just shooting sparks off of it.

 

[2oo3MustangGT]

the compressor is not turning on. blown fuse?

 

[joshjwc9]

Check the fuse, if that doesn't work, try messing with the controls and having someone double check to see if it kicks on. It may be the clutch, which is $110 on rockauto.com

 

[WhiteFox342]

One thing you can try first. Start the car with the AC on. If the compressor is not turning try tapping the front toward the edge with a small hammer. If it suddenly kicks on the field coil is bad. The field coil is part of the clutch assembly. Replace it and you are done.

If not check the connector at the compressor with a test light. There should be power to one side and a ground at the other. If no ground trace and repair the ground.

If no power go back to the accumulator/receiver/drier. There is an electrical connector with two slots hooked to the cycling switch. Check for power.

If you have power to one side try jumping the connection.

If the compressor kicks on then the low pressure cycling switch is bad or you are low on freon. Don't run it too long with a jumper. If it is low on freon you can hurt the compressor.

If there is no power to either slot then the problem is in the car - either a fuse or a problem in the AC controll panel.

 

[2oo3MustangGT]

thanks, i'll try and hunt the problem down and let you guys know