partsguyct

Ok so I didn't want to hijack a thread so heres my issue, recently tried to convert my 93 ac valves to hook up 134a and that of course went fine (id drive into a wall if I couldn't change valves for ac) when I attempted to add my ac clutch wasn't engaging so naturally it wouldn't pull any refrigerant into the compressor, now for my question, is there any easy way to determine if the compressor is bad and that's why it won't pull? Or could there be a different issue causing this? Its getting hot as hell here in ct and ac would be nice this summer.
Thanks in advance for all the great advice.

99superjeep01

I install home ac units but am not too familiar with auto ac so I'll try to help the best I can. I'm guessing you checked that you put in the same refrigerant as what was already there. Was the ac system open at any point to let air in the lines or refrigerant out? Compressors don't like non condensables, or anything that isn't refrigerant for that matter. Check power too.

tgordon

Doesn't replacing valves opens the system to the atmosphere?
If so, then you'll need to use a vacuum pump to get it to take refrig.

99superjeep01

Well that's what I wondered, but like I said, I'm not familiar with auto ac. But yeah a vacuum pump would be necessary.

partsguyct

I'm gonna try and jump power to the clutch and see if it engages if it does I'm gonna try adding to it if not its back to square one and back to rolling down the windows and driving faster

partsguyct

Put power to the clutch and it engages bypassed the pressure switch and it stayed engaged so I swapped the switch, does anyone know what the valves are that are adjacent to the high and low ports on the rear side of the compressor? And would those cause the compressor to not allow refrigerant to be pulled into the system?

partsguyct

This is the valve best picture I can get

lilredxj99

yes those are service valves, Are you using a gauge set or an aftermarket (cheap) hose? If you are using a real set of gauges you will need to open both of the valves. If you are using a cheap short hose that connects to the can you need to open the one on the LOW side of the system.

partsguyct

Tuck a duck the low side is pretty frozen, any tips on loosening it without breaking it?

diskman

You need to open the valve on the low side. Its a goofy one too. A 7mm socket seems to fit on it tho. I don't know WHY they used that stupid setup on the XJs. My 84 was the same way too. Had to mangle the valve shaft to get it to open up. :P

partsguyct

I got it open finally and might have an issue that requires more attention, it seems that my clutch for the ac has a tendency to slip and not fully engage but so far I got it feed up with a little pb blaster hoping it was just a little frozen from sitting but I'm gonna keep an eye on it.