A/c issues.

[mgbrv8]

I got a report from my dad about my 91 zr1. My dad took it out the other day and the Ac was working fine. But then it started getting warn so dad moving it from auto to recirculate but still warm. Then he said the green light started flashing and what ever setting he put it on the light would flash and it wouldn't cool. Any ideas I'm a few thousand miles from home and I don't know what to tell him?

Dave

[White Bullet]

I believe that the flashing light indicates that the freon is low. So check it first and work further into the system if needed.

[VetteMed]

The flashing light indicates a trouble code - usually 09 for low refrigerant, which would fit with the description in this case.

[scottfab]

Most common problem is low freon.
Good luck if you still have an R-12 system.
If it was converted to R-134 then first look
to see if the compressor clutch is engaging
every so often. If so then add 12oz of R-134
via the fitting at the dryer (canister near the radiator).
Be aware this is a short cut that works in the vast
majority of cases. If it is your unlucky day and the
system still uses R-12 then you could be in for a
bit more work converting over to R-134.

If you're wondering how to tell if the system was
converted, look at the service port at the dryer canister.
Remove the black cap. (twist off)
If the metal fitting has threads on the outside then it's R-12. If it is a quick connect (similar to an air hose) fitting then it's R-134.

[mgbrv8]

Thanks guys I will let him know.

Dave

[ghlkal]

After you add "freon," you may have to clear the code from the HVAC before the compressor will come on again. On mine, the compressor would not turn on after adding R134a (my system was converted). I think this is a safety feature to keep the compressor from burning up. I reset my code 09 (low freon) by disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds. (The manual says you can pull some fuses, but I pulled three labeled AC and it didn't reset). Once there are no codes in the HVAC, if the system has enough freon the compressor should come on. If not, there's a problem somewhere else.

[VetteMed]

All you have to do is pull the CTSY fuse (top left). That resets the HVAC.

[scottfab]

If you decide it's more than just topping off the gas here are some links that might help:

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Old_Proj/old_proj21.htm

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Old_Proj/old_proj20.htm

[rhipsher]

This has been a subject I've totally ignored with my Z. One year after I bought it the a/c stopped blowing cold. But since its not a daily driver I didnt really worry about it. So one day I was at my buddy Luises house. And he has two big tanks of R12 freon and the gages. So he hooked his gages up to it and I turned the engine on but it was so empty that the compressor wouldn't come on and wouldnt suck any freon in. So he jumped a connection and tricked the compressor to come on and it started filling up with freon. For the first time in years the lines started getting ice cold and I put my hand in front of the vent and it was blowing cold. I was so jazzed. Drove all the way home nice and cold. The next day the feon had leaked out. After pulling some of the orings out i could tell they were old and hard and thats probably where my leaks are.

[USAFPILOT]

Rick, how the hell can you not have a/c in Houston? Mine works but not good enough. I wish there was a cheap mod that would triple the power of my a/c for this town.