Vintage Air problem
06-13-2013, 04:17 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Vintage Air problem
I *think* I have a vintage air setup in my 66. First, is there a way to validate that it is Vintage Air vs. something else?
Second, AC doesn't work. I took a guess and figured the pressure was low, but I checked it and it's right where it should be. Compressor does not turn on. Are there common problems with these that I can check first?
Second, AC doesn't work. I took a guess and figured the pressure was low, but I checked it and it's right where it should be. Compressor does not turn on. Are there common problems with these that I can check first?
06-13-2013, 04:47 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Trouble shooting
The main differences between V/A and Classic Air seems to be the center vents. The V/A systems center vents replace the sides of the console on either side of the radio. The Classic Air system uses louver type vents on either side of the radio. If I remember, my V/A system had a sticker on the unit that sits behind the glove box. Regarding the compressor not coming on, bring a test line from the positive side of the battery to the line on the compressor. The line should be blue. If the compressor clutch clicks, start the car and make the same connection. If the compressor comes on, you most likely have a bad switch inside the car or the low pressure switch is bad or disconnected. If the compressor does not click, check your grounds. It could also be a bad clutch. Good luck. Jerry
06-13-2013, 06:35 PM
#3
Safety Car
Could also be Hot Rod Air (out of business). There are a lot of them out there. Does the system that you have use the stock cables for operation??? Exactly HOW did you test the AC pressure??? Engine running/connected to AC gauges?? The old vintage air/classic air and hot rod are systems all used a binary switch. It is usually located up near the dryer. Do like Jerry says, and check to see if you can get the compressor to "click".
Mike Coletta
Mike Coletta
06-13-2013, 08:00 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I tested the pressure by hooking up to the low side pressure, thinking it would be low, and as soon as I did I found it right in spec on the gauge
Wire to the compressor is green, I will try to jump it to see what happens
Here are some pics.
Wire to the compressor is green, I will try to jump it to see what happens
Here are some pics.
06-13-2013, 08:05 PM
#5
Safety Car
The compressor wont kick on if it is low on coolant. You can recharge it with a kit that you can purchase at any walmart for around 30.00. If you have a leak at a loose fitting it will become evident very quickly after filling with only a minor amount of coolant.
06-13-2013, 09:42 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
start the engine first and then jumper the compressor clutch. if you hear a click but the front plate on the pulley doesn't start spinning, then it isn't engaging. if the compressor was frozen, the pulley would lock up when you engage the clutch and the belt would squeal.
there are other components to the system that can prevent the clutch from engaging. as others said, there's a pressure switch in the line. there's also a t-stat under the dash on Vintage Air (by the blower unit under the glove box) that could be switched off. mine exhibits a weird behavior where sometimes I have to pull the fan switch out and push it back in and then the clutch will engage.
there are other components to the system that can prevent the clutch from engaging. as others said, there's a pressure switch in the line. there's also a t-stat under the dash on Vintage Air (by the blower unit under the glove box) that could be switched off. mine exhibits a weird behavior where sometimes I have to pull the fan switch out and push it back in and then the clutch will engage.
06-14-2013, 08:24 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
start the engine first and then jumper the compressor clutch. if you hear a click but the front plate on the pulley doesn't start spinning, then it isn't engaging. if the compressor was frozen, the pulley would lock up when you engage the clutch and the belt would squeal.
there are other components to the system that can prevent the clutch from engaging. as others said, there's a pressure switch in the line. there's also a t-stat under the dash on Vintage Air (by the blower unit under the glove box) that could be switched off. mine exhibits a weird behavior where sometimes I have to pull the fan switch out and push it back in and then the clutch will engage.
there are other components to the system that can prevent the clutch from engaging. as others said, there's a pressure switch in the line. there's also a t-stat under the dash on Vintage Air (by the blower unit under the glove box) that could be switched off. mine exhibits a weird behavior where sometimes I have to pull the fan switch out and push it back in and then the clutch will engage.
The compressor has been polished so I don't have any labels to go by to figure out what it is. I'd like a bolt in replacement.
06-14-2013, 12:00 PM
#11
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2000
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2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I believe you have a Sanden compressor.
Check out this site and it will help you identify your unit.
Joe
http://www.pageturnpro.com/Four-Seas...ndex.html#/178
Check out this site and it will help you identify your unit.
Joe
http://www.pageturnpro.com/Four-Seas...ndex.html#/178
06-14-2013, 12:47 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
06-14-2013, 01:19 PM
#14
Safety Car
That is a standard off-the-shelf Sanden compressor that can be bought almost anywhere. No special configuration to the ports.
Almost every supplier in the world, sells that compressor. You can get it from all the big catalog houses like Summit, and Jegs, as well as Vintage Air.
Regards, John McGraw
Almost every supplier in the world, sells that compressor. You can get it from all the big catalog houses like Summit, and Jegs, as well as Vintage Air.
Regards, John McGraw