Project Dumpster Fire is much cooler now

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
07/19/2018 at 11:27 • Filed to: Project Dumpster Fire

For a Dumpster Fire anyway. With outside temps in the triple digi ts , the Saab and the Alfa haven’t been getting a lot of love due to inop AC. The Alfa is a lost cause in that department, but I figured I could do some troubleshooting on the Saab and see what I could find out.

I knew the AC had been charged about 4 years ago by the mec hanic equivalent of “Annie Wilkes,” because that was clearly the most pressing issue with that car, but I didn’t have much hope it was still holding a charge. What I really wanted to do is confirm the system still worked before taking it in to get professionally leak checked and serviced . Namely, t he Saab has several switches that kill the AC during abnormal conditions , so I needed to make sure they all were working.

I started by measuring the system pressure sensor, which understandably was reading open. So either that sensor has failed or the system isn’t charged. Makes sense.

The engine temp switch and the throttle switch both tested good, and I couldn’t locate the wiring for the coolant temp switch, so I figured the next step would be to jumper the pressure switch and see if the compressor would engage.

And it did!

Cool! Using a charge can a friend gave me, I went ahead and charged the system up the the recommended level and reconnected and....

HORRIBLE NOISES!

Oh noes! Sounds like my compressor is borked! Oh well....

But wait! Belt maybe? And sure enough the belt was super loose. Tightening the AC belt on these is a massive pain in the butt, but I eventually got it, restarted and SUCCESS!

Working AC!

The idle was too low with the AC running, which caused the oil pressure to be alarmingly low too, but other than that everything seemed to be working.

I took it for a quick drive to confirm.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

A lot of issues to sort, but really I can’t stress that it felt way healthier than it has in years. I didn’t feel like an unhappy car, it felt like a car that needed some maintenance.

Good times!

Bat doggo for you time.

DISCUSSION (6)

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/19/2018 at 12:03

“The idle was too low with the AC running”

That’s easy, just make your baseline idle higher!

Actually, don’t listen to me, I did that on my Legacy because I have some rough idle issues at the factory ordained 600rpm

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
07/19/2018 at 12:07

Haha there is a solenoid to raise the idle when the AC is on and though it seems to be working, I think my base idle is a little low.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/19/2018 at 12:12

My car has various electrical gremlins, like the alternator’s losing a lot of its power somewhere in the system for absolutely no reason at all. As I also mentioned, my car idles low.

I just tweaked it so it idles at about 750 rather than 600.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/19/2018 at 12:26

Well done! I’m sure you still have a leak somewhere, but at least you’ve confirmed that the system still functions.

arl > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/19/2018 at 14:20

Yea for Saab dogs!

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/19/2018 at 23:38

Incredibly the AC works in my 1985 Jaguar. I don’t think it’s been serviced since the 90’s, or early 2000s at least. It’s a touch weak but once the Auto climate remembers to engage recirc it can really freeze you out!