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94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem
by saturnowner1
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May 31, 2009 (6:08 pm)
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I cant get my a/c compressor to engage on my '94 LS Saturn. I have 45 psi on the low side of the compressor. When I press in the a/c switch on the dash, the switch lights up but the clutch does not engage on the compressor. It appears that there is no current getting to the solenoid, yet both a/c fuses are good and the control relay on the circuit breaker panel is good. any ideas?
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- #748 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [saturnowner1]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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May 31, 2009 (6:17 pm)
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Replying to: saturnowner1 (May 31, 2009 6:08 pm)
Must be an open circuit then between the pressure switch and the HVAC control module if there is no current to the compressor clutch.
Also your pressure is too high. Maybe the switch shuts off on too low AND too high pressure, I don't know.
About 28 to 30 PSI on the low side at 70 degrees F.
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- #749 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [Mr_Shiftright]
by saturnowner1
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May 31, 2009 (6:23 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 31, 2009 6:17 pm)
thanks,
My pressure is in the blue on the low side meter (i'm guessing that was 45). Any idea what my next step is? can I go straight from the solenoid to the a 12v source and see if it turns on? or is this something that needs to go to an a/c expert?
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- #750 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [saturnowner1]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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May 31, 2009 (6:43 pm)
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Replying to: saturnowner1 (May 31, 2009 6:23 pm)
Can you locate the pressure switch and momentarily by-pass it? That might tell you something right there.
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- #751 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [Mr_Shiftright]
by saturnowner1
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May 31, 2009 (8:04 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 31, 2009 6:43 pm)
not sure where the pressure switch is. 
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- #752 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [saturnowner1]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jun 01, 2009 (6:00 am)
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Replying to: saturnowner1 (May 31, 2009 8:04 pm)
Looks like it's on a T-fitting running along the AC hose---the diagram seems to indicate near the fender as it meets the firewall---I think if you follow the AC line up you'll see a T fitting with a switch that looks like a brake light switch, with an electrical connector.
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- #753 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [Mr_Shiftright]
by saturnowner1
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Jun 01, 2009 (6:11 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 01, 2009 6:00 am)
Brrrrr..Up and running: spent $50 this morning at an a/c shop: I was close with my refill job..but as I was filling it I should have rev'd the engine to about 2000 rpm. Once the mechanic did this and added a little more pressure on the fill, the low pressure switch activated, powered the solenoid, and the system ran. As usual, a simple fix by a professional. Thanks again Mr Shiftright for all your help.
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- #754 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [saturnowner1]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jun 01, 2009 (6:14 am)
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Replying to: saturnowner1 (Jun 01, 2009 6:11 am)
Well okay we were on the right track---another 3 or 4 weeks  and we would have solved it!!
Now think of all you've learned.
Anyway, if you had bypassed the low pressure switch, the compressor would have clicked on, telling you that there was low pressure in the system. Where did you get that 45 psi reading from? Oh, you said that was a guesstimate....
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- #756 of 791
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Re: 94 Saturn A/C solenoid problem [Mr_Shiftright]
by saturnowner1
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Jun 01, 2009 (6:32 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 01, 2009 6:14 am)
The recharge kit I bought has a gauge on it, with the blue range ending at 45 psi, and then a yellow band, and then a red band. I stopped pressurizing when the gauge showed 45 psi, which only took a few seconds. When the mechanic did it, he applied a little more than the 45 psi, revved the engine, and then compressor kicked on. The low side psi went way down right away, and started to climb back up. he continued to fill it to about 20 psi, meanwhile the high side came back up into the 100 psi range, and the car cooled off. So now the low side runs at about 20 psi.
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