2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A/C dies on highway

[ccdiesel]

Just recharged my A/C about a month ago and everything was working great. Then all of the sudden my A/C dies when I get on the highway. Then starts working great as soon as I get on the off ramp. Any ideas??

 

[super38]

Had something similar, mine would run for 15 to 20 min. then quit. I would turn it off for maybe 5 min. then it would work again for another 15 to 20. Turned out to be the AC clutch, think it may have been over heating and would quit as all this happened when it was above 90 out, worked fine at lower temps.





James

 

[delliott]

I second the vote for compressor clutch. Mine had the exact same symptoms, worked around town but not at highway speeds. Turned out one of the three metals arms on the clutch broken, so it wasn't strong enough to hold at higher rpm.



Try having someone bring the rpm up slowly in nuetral/park with the a/c on while you watch the compressor. That's how I found mine.



David

 

[wcjp]

My dad had a very similar problem with his Toyota car. He overfilled the system. Other culprit could be fan motor area is full of stuff and not draining. The collected water freezes. AC turns off, thaws, AC restarts.

 

[monkeyman]

Check High Pressure cut off by compressor. When it senses High Pressure it cuts compressor off. After two bad ones I wired mine to bypass.
Rick

 

[ed9824v]

Check High Pressure cut off by compressor. When it senses High Pressure it cuts compressor off. After two bad ones I wired mine to bypass.

Rick

I 3 or 4th that the pressure could be increasing with the increase rpm. maybe over charged.

 

[DSeamans]

HP switch

Check High Pressure cut off by compressor. When it senses High Pressure it cuts compressor off. After two bad ones I wired mine to bypass.

Rick

Mine just did the same thing and the problem was the HP connector itself. The vibrations of higher rpm and moving would brake the connection. Paper clip in the connector didn't work; Scotch lock connector on the loom side of wires fixed it! That "test" was given to me from a buddy who works at a chevy dealer, the poor sod.



Dave

 

[ccdiesel]

If it is the clutch on the compressor, can you replace just the clutch on the 2001? I have read some posts the say you can't replace just the clutch on some years. If so where is the best place to get one?

 

[super38]

Mine is an '01 and the clutch can be replaced.



James

 

[NWhitney]

You can order just the clutch from some places that sell Sanden parts but... If your clutch has been bad for very long you may have over heated and damaged the seal at the front of the compressor. The whole assembly is only slightly more than just the clutch.

 

[E7mack96]

sandens are known for front shaft seal leaks anyways... We change out as many as 5 a day due to leaks at the shaft seal. Get a new one!