Ok I got frustrated with charging my vintage air system in my Camaro so I took it to a shop to have it charged. They said they were able to charge the system but the ac clutch wasn't in gauging. They said I wasn't getting power to the binary switch. When I got home and checked the power lead to the switch the where correct. I found I had not the connector out. Now, I have power getting to the binary switch but clutch still will not turn on. Wire is good going from binary switch to compressor, but it seems like the binary switch isn't working. How do I test the switch? Also, can I remove the switch without loosing the refrigerant?
Thanks,
Jon
Should be able to bypass the switch to make sure the compressor clutch is working. To replace the switch will require draining the system, it's under pressure.
Throw some gauges on it to make sure it is charged. I don't see how they could charge it when the clutch was not engaging but I am not an expert. I know that when I charge them they have to be running....
I share Mitch's perspective. If you came in and asked for a charge, we would charge it. If we got wrapped up in every job, we would never make money.
But yes. The switch is open to the refrigerant on the other side, so you have to drain it to swap the switch. My A/C machine will charge without the compressor running, and it only takes 15 minutes to do an evacuate and recharge. Maybe you can check the shop and see if they'll cut you a deal to evac and recharge with you there so you can swap the switch right quick.
If there's pressure in the system, a switch should have continuity (a couple of ohms). If the system drops below 25psi on the low side the switch should be open (infinite ohms, no continuity).
If you have a trinity switch, two of the terminals should act as I stated above. The third is the activate wire for the cooling fan relay.
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