71 El Camino A/c trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

El Camino dude · 07-01-2012, 12:14 PM

I tried this question on the general questions forum with no luck of getting help.
I have a 71 El Camino. The A/C does not work unless I jumper wire the switch that is attached to the device where the site glass is located. Can I replace the switch myself or does the whole system have to be evacuated by a shop to replace this switch.
Thanks in advance for any answers.

biggestjohn · 07-01-2012, 12:50 PM

The site glass is on the accumulator\drier, I do not know of any switches there.

That being said, any pressure switch is going to be exposed to the system pressure, and the system would have to be evacuated. Pressure switches are there to verify that the pressure is sufficient to operate the system. If pressure is not sufficient, the switch will not create continuity.

The A\C system is NOT a place for untrained people to mess around with!!! Please do yourself a favor and take it to a professional!!!

ole dollor · 07-01-2012, 06:50 PM

el camino dude....can you take a pic of the switch you are talking about, some of these switches were replaceable, with out removing the freon....some have a valve inside so the cycle switch could be replaced....need to know before you remove it.....if you can't send a pic...than an a/c man would probably know....

sir_talk_alot · 07-02-2012, 11:53 PM

not to shoot off topic, take a pic of the car and upload it....i used to have a 71. i miss that car and regret selling it.....

406 Q-ship · 07-03-2012, 10:37 AM

I have had plenty of late 60's and early 70's A-bodies, I don't recall any of them ever having a low pressure switch (which is what your describing). Can you post a picture. Have you tried the people on chevelles.com, a large group of great people with some great infomation on the Chevelle/El Camino.

ChevLoRay · 07-03-2012, 02:03 PM

The only "switch" I recall on any of those factory systems is the connection that engages the clutch on the compressor. All of the other switches are located on the panel (that I am aware of).

The drier has no electrical connections at all.

When you get into later model vehicles with a POA valve, you may have something, but my brain is tripping and stumbling, right now.

MARKDTN · 07-03-2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

The only "switch" I recall on any of those factory systems is the connection that engages the clutch on the compressor. All of the other switches are located on the panel (that I am aware of).

The drier has no electrical connections at all.

When you get into later model vehicles with a POA valve, you may have something, but my brain is tripping and stumbling, right now.

I agree-have you traced the wire from the compressor back to the controls? Do you have a good schematic? I would look at the switch on top of the inside box, had a '67 Firebird once that had that switchdisconnected and it took a bit to find it. If I remember correctly, the wire is tan.

ChevLoRay · 07-03-2012, 05:00 PM

My '69 had a switch beneath the dash that engaged the clutch on the AC. Cooled well, when the clutch was engaged. Didn't do so well, otherwise.

ls1nova71 · 07-03-2012, 06:22 PM

Is this an aftermarket A/C system? No factory air systems have a switch there, but old under dash add on systems often do, and if it's an old one, then it probably does not have any kind of schrader valve under it and will make a big mess if you take it off with the system charged. I tried this about a week ago on an underdash unit and I'm glad I didn't have my face down there when it blew!!!

07-01-2012, 12:14 PM	#1
El Camino dude Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Riverbank, CA Posts: 5	71 El Camino A/c trouble I tried this question on the general questions forum with no luck of getting help. I have a 71 El Camino. The A/C does not work unless I jumper wire the switch that is attached to the device where the site glass is located. Can I replace the switch myself or does the whole system have to be evacuated by a shop to replace this switch. Thanks in advance for any answers.

07-01-2012, 12:50 PM	#2
biggestjohn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Russiaville Posts: 203	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble The site glass is on the accumulator\drier, I do not know of any switches there. That being said, any pressure switch is going to be exposed to the system pressure, and the system would have to be evacuated. Pressure switches are there to verify that the pressure is sufficient to operate the system. If pressure is not sufficient, the switch will not create continuity. The A\C system is NOT a place for untrained people to mess around with!!! Please do yourself a favor and take it to a professional!!! __________________ ......its not what your askin', its what your gettin'.... .......every time I screw up, I learn something. Needless to say, I'm learning all the time............

07-01-2012, 06:50 PM	#3
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble el camino dude....can you take a pic of the switch you are talking about, some of these switches were replaceable, with out removing the freon....some have a valve inside so the cycle switch could be replaced....need to know before you remove it.....if you can't send a pic...than an a/c man would probably know....

07-02-2012, 11:53 PM	#4
sir_talk_alot Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mayflower,AR Posts: 802	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble not to shoot off topic, take a pic of the car and upload it....i used to have a 71. i miss that car and regret selling it..... __________________ -Mike- '94 GMT 400 ext z71 3" body, 3 in rough country, hd mirrors, 20" motometals on 35s

07-03-2012, 10:37 AM	#5
406 Q-ship Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 632	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble I have had plenty of late 60's and early 70's A-bodies, I don't recall any of them ever having a low pressure switch (which is what your describing). Can you post a picture. Have you tried the people on chevelles.com, a large group of great people with some great infomation on the Chevelle/El Camino. __________________ Lifes journey is not to arrive at the gate well preserved, it is to slide in sideways all used up and wore out yelling.....God what'a ride! Where patience fails, force prevails Stapp's Ironical Paradox "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle."

07-03-2012, 02:03 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble The only "switch" I recall on any of those factory systems is the connection that engages the clutch on the compressor. All of the other switches are located on the panel (that I am aware of). The drier has no electrical connections at all. When you get into later model vehicles with a POA valve, you may have something, but my brain is tripping and stumbling, right now. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-03-2012, 05:00 PM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble My '69 had a switch beneath the dash that engaged the clutch on the AC. Cooled well, when the clutch was engaged. Didn't do so well, otherwise. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-03-2012, 06:22 PM	#9
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,118	Re: 71 El Camino A/c trouble Is this an aftermarket A/C system? No factory air systems have a switch there, but old under dash add on systems often do, and if it's an old one, then it probably does not have any kind of schrader valve under it and will make a big mess if you take it off with the system charged. I tried this about a week ago on an underdash unit and I'm glad I didn't have my face down there when it blew!!! __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html



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