A/C Clutch is not engaging - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PandaSS · 06-23-2020, 11:02 PM

My AC clutch recently stopped engaging. I switched the AC relay out with the headlight relay and the headlights worked with it, so I assume the relay is good. I jumped the AC relay with a piece of wire and the clutch DID engaged. Seems like the wiring is good and something is causing the relay to not fire. (It also doesn't make a click when I press the AC button) What would you guys troubleshoot after that?

ChibiBlackSheep · 06-24-2020, 08:00 AM

Check to make sure that your system has enough freon/pressure.

If not, please don't use a can, you might have a broken piece somewhere.

gtstorey · 06-24-2020, 09:11 AM

You can probably jump the pressure switch to see if it will engage the clutch (at least you can on older vehicles, I've not had to work on my Camaro AC system). If so it's likely low of Freon.

PandaSS · 06-24-2020, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the help guys! I was about to go to O'reillys to borrow a set of AC gauges. I also wanted to inspect the wire going into the compressor a little more so I was messing with it to get a good look at it. Fired up the car and the AC started blowing cold.

How could just messing with the wire going into the compressor get the relay to work when I was able to hotwire it and have it engage every time? I would think a bad wire would be a bad wire and either method wouldn't work to engage the clutch. Oh well, glad it was something simple, maybe that wire is just in bad shape

102SS · 06-30-2020, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaSS

Thanks for the help guys! I was about to go to O'reillys to borrow a set of AC gauges. I also wanted to inspect the wire going into the compressor a little more so I was messing with it to get a good look at it. Fired up the car and the AC started blowing cold.

How could just messing with the wire going into the compressor get the relay to work when I was able to hotwire it and have it engage every time? I would think a bad wire would be a bad wire and either method wouldn't work to engage the clutch. Oh well, glad it was something simple, maybe that wire is just in bad shape

Intermittent short?

Mine stopped working two days ago after blowing ice cold for years,

I also noticed my high speed fans will not engage.

06-23-2020, 11:02 PM	#1
PandaSS Drives: 2010 1SS L99 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 83 View My Garage	A/C Clutch is not engaging My AC clutch recently stopped engaging. I switched the AC relay out with the headlight relay and the headlights worked with it, so I assume the relay is good. I jumped the AC relay with a piece of wire and the clutch DID engaged. Seems like the wiring is good and something is causing the relay to not fire. (It also doesn't make a click when I press the AC button) What would you guys troubleshoot after that? __________________ Custom 2.5" catback exhaust, Solo High Flow Cats, Vitesse throttle controller, Phasetek rear blackout kit, 4" quad tips, 1le diffuser

06-24-2020, 08:00 AM	#2
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,106	Check to make sure that your system has enough freon/pressure. If not, please don't use a can, you might have a broken piece somewhere. __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

06-24-2020, 09:25 AM	#4
PandaSS Drives: 2010 1SS L99 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 83 View My Garage	Thanks for the help guys! I was about to go to O'reillys to borrow a set of AC gauges. I also wanted to inspect the wire going into the compressor a little more so I was messing with it to get a good look at it. Fired up the car and the AC started blowing cold. How could just messing with the wire going into the compressor get the relay to work when I was able to hotwire it and have it engage every time? I would think a bad wire would be a bad wire and either method wouldn't work to engage the clutch. Oh well, glad it was something simple, maybe that wire is just in bad shape __________________ Custom 2.5" catback exhaust, Solo High Flow Cats, Vitesse throttle controller, Phasetek rear blackout kit, 4" quad tips, 1le diffuser

06-24-2020, 09:11 AM	#3
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,281	You can probably jump the pressure switch to see if it will engage the clutch (at least you can on older vehicles, I've not had to work on my Camaro AC system). If so it's likely low of Freon.