Today I hooked up the pressure gauge and found that the pressure with the compressor not running is around 40 PSI. As I let the car run it would after a time kick in the compressor for short periods of time, like 1-10 seconds, then kick back off. It would repeat this sequence indefinately.

The pressure dropped to the 15-20 PSI range for the short time when the compressor was running, then kicked back up when the compressor shut down.

Does this tend to indicate low freon levels or is it probably something else? Is there a circuit breaker in the system I should be checking?

Thanks!
John

According to a friend, for a 134a system, the only special tools you REALLY need are a set of guages and a vacuum pump, which can be made from an old refrigerator compressor, some fittings, and some solder.

Hello,

Try jumping the receiver/dryer connections for 2-3 seconds. They are on the passenger side tucked in beside the radiator. From my experience if the compressor kicks in, then you have a lack of refrigerant i.e. it's leaking somewhere and you need a shop to leak test it, replace components and then charge it up. If not, then the compressor has likely bitten the dust and needs replacing, but there still might be a charge in the system. You still need to go see a qualified shop.

It sounds sanctimonious but Bentley, Haynes and others have always refered A/C repairs to qualified shops. I'd do the work myself, but I've got better things to do than spend $6000 on equipment that I will use once every 5 years.
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Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '95 855T 371k, '82 242 GLT 121k