Hi There!

I'm new here, and I'm having problems with my '96 Z's air conditioning....The whole heating/ac system seems to be messed up.....Here's the problems:

1. I only get airflow by my feet, regardless of the position of the climate control (?) switch

2. The A/C AND the heat don't work.....The compressor and clutch are ok, and I believe the heater core is ok. The blower motor works, and operates at different speeds.

3. The A/C compressor clutch will NOT kick in when the climate control switch is turned on. Also, the relay in the engine compartment won't click - BUT if I short the front and back terminals (the ac control), the compressor will kick in.
(By the way, when I checked with a voltmeter, there's always 12 volts going to the relay from the switch)

4. HOWEVER, if I short the relay, and get the compressor running it still doesn't cool the air. BUT the smaller diameter line coming from the ac radiator is cool, not cold.

5. The relay is not bad, as I swapped out a working relay and it still didn't do the trick.

So....What the heck is wrong with my car?[:@] Anyone have any suggestions? Any help would be really appreciated!

I'm thinking that: The A/C needs to be recharged, and that the switch for the climate control (the one that selects Max, A/C, feet, cabin, defroster) is messed up. Do y'all think I'm on the right track? Does anyone have a link for a wiring diagram?

Arrghhhh! And people say I'm relaxed! [:@] And those leather seats are gonna drown me in my own sweat! [:@] Arrgh!

 

replace the switch and recharge the AC seems like the easiest thing to try first...then get mad lol

 

Haha! How do you know me so well?

Yeah, I'm gonna try recharging the system. Let's see what happens!
By the way, where do you think the old stuff went?
Could the seals have let some out over the winter? I'm the third owner of the car, and it first came from texas, then it went to va, and now I have it in maryland. I bought it with 87k on it, now it's got 93k miles on the odo.

I've got a buddy with the tools needed to work on an a/c system, and we're thinking that if we put a vacuum pump on the system to see if it will hold a vacuum, that it would be a good indicator to see if there's a leak. What's your take on this?
He has other tools too...I'm wondering if there's any checks that you would reccomend?

Also, I've got a haynes techbook, but I'm wondering if you or anyone else knows where I can get some good diagrams for this. I know the shop manual is probably the way to go, but does anyone know of anything else?

Thanks again!

 

might as well throw that book out if your looking for diagrams....i would just see if itll hold pressure first

 

Check for a vacuum leak on one of the hoses or the vacuum line connector which is located close to the accumulator.

 

check if the schrader valves on the ac lines are leaking. have them put dye in the freon when they recharge it.