924Board.org

[Tigger937]

Turned on A/C and nothing. Compressor won't engage, A/C fan won't even run. Prior to this, was working fine with good cooling. Heater fan continues to operate normally, no problems there. Where's the best place to start looking?
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1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

[Grenadiers]

Most of us are unfamiliar with working A/C units~! Check relays and fuses.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[D Hook]

I've had problems in the past with the relay under the dash. That usually stops everything, not just the compressor. I'd start there.

Mine went out on a very hot day and I let it go for about 14 years, never bothered to replace the relay. Finally got one and put it in and it was still ice-cold A/C!
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[Tigger937]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. D Hook, that's amazing it still cooled after 14 years. I would have thought the seals would have dried out and leaked out all the refrigerant. Is that relay accessible without dash removal?
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1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

[D Hook]

Yes, it's under the dash with the other relays. Don't recall which one it is though. Do you have a Haynes manual?
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[Tigger937]

Yes, got a Haynes manual. Will check it out. Thanks much.
_________________
1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

[D Hook]

When you find it, get a number from it and I'll check to see if I have one. Sell it cheap. Last time I priced one it was about $60 but that was quite some time ago.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[Tigger937]

Sounds good, I'll let you know.
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1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

[Tigger937]

You were right, it's the relay p/n 477959143.

I noticed that area of the fuse/relay panel gets pretty hot, especially when A/C is on. Looking at the fuse/relay panel in the Haynes Manual p. 237, relays 2,3 & 6 are the fan, fuel pump & A/C relays respectively. When A/C is on, that area of the panel is drawing quite a bit of current. Mine has 2 fans and 2 fuel pumps in addition to the A/C. Seems the heat in that area could be contributing to shortened relay life? Anyone ever look into this?
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1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

[D Hook]

You're right. I've had the same experience with the heat issue. I'm sure it contributes to the failure rate of the fuel pump and A/C relays both. I even thought of installing a computer-type small fan to cool them. Keeping the grounds clean helps a great deal.

I'll check and see if I have that relay.

EDIT: I guess I don't have one. Sorry. But I bet Dan (Ideola) has one or more. Also might want to put a note on the For Sale/Wanted board because so many people have removed their A/C systems for saving weight, there's probably plenty floating around out their. I'd grab a couple, if I were you. And maybe a spare fuel pump relay to keep in the glove compartment.

Here's a website that sell NOS A/C relays. http://classicgarage.com/477959143.html
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[Grenadiers]

I have one of those relays, original.
_________________
'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[Tigger937]

Thanks Grenadiers. I had some new replacement relays lying around, p/n 94461511301 which is supposed to be the newer equivalent of 477959143. Seems to be working OK.
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1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"