Hi...has anyone hot wired the ac compressor to get clutch to engage? I need to replace refridgerant..but compressor clutch does not engage. I have seen videos how to use a paper clip to accuate at the ac relay..but the zx2 does not have a relay plug as described in the videos. I think it is possible to used fused jumper wire between the compressor and the battery to do the job..but not sure how to proceed...should engine be running..etc. any input welcome. thanks.

 

So the compressor won't engage when the system isn't charged.
You could remove the relay and bypass it but without freon there is no lubrication to keep the compressor to lock up.

 

This is what you might consider,
If the system was evacuated and still has a vacuum, allow the refrigerant "GAS" (CAN IN UPRIGHT POSITION ,IMPORTANT,) to go into the low side until the vacuum will not take in anymore. Usually that will be enough to activate the clutch. Then proceed to install the remaining quantity AS PER SPEC, If everything is working correctly, you should be able to complete the charging to where it has the correct amount or is performing correctly.. Do not overcharge.

Just keep in mind the compressor is meant to compress gas refrigerant NOT LIQUID ! If liquid gets into the low side and the compressor is running ,it can damage the compressor.

 

thanks for tip...my problem may be that the system does not have a vacuum..but i'll give it a try!

 

So we have some idea of where we are,
do you have a set of manifold gauges hooked up or are you just attempting to add refrigerant because you think it is low?

There are some reasons for the AC clutch to not engage.
Low refrigerant charge
Power not being sent to the clutch, could involve AC relay, full throttle takes AC clutch power away temporarily,
Clutch defective or poor ground connection

Do you have any kind of test equipment to use ?

If you take power from the battery positive post and connect it to the wire that goes to the clutch (with the plug disconnected from the source ) , you should hear the clutch engage , loud click. If you get that then you need to work back to the relay , confirm wiring is good to clutch , then back to HVAC module.and low pressure switch.
You don't want to run the compressor without sufficient refrigerant unless adding it and you should have a set of gauges connected so you have some idea of what you have.



.

 

No I do not have any test equipment, and yes I am attempting to add gas. My intent in engaging the clutch via the battery hot wire is to enable the infusion of the refridgerant..cause without the compressor sucking it in I can't do so. To be clear..what you fellas are saying...I cannot simply manually engage the compressor clutch via the battery so it will accept the gas? Sorry if I'm a little slow on this matter. Full disclosure...I was told I had a leak in the system about a year and a half ago. ac worked ok...till I assume the gas ran out. I thought I could simply replenish when the ac stopped running cold. It seems I was mistaken..yes?

 

We know you are doing this so you can find the leak and repair it, right ?

If you connect the hose from the can of refrigerant to the low side,, can upright, some refrigerant should go in anyway. The compressor clutch should begin to cycle on and off and you can continue adding until you get some sufficient cooling.If it is that low, one can won't be enough.
If,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it is only low on refrigerant,,each time the clutch engages it will take in more gas refrigerant and run engaged a little longer until it cycles one or two times a minute.

 

I don't know why you said to replace refridgerant??? If it leaked out, you need to fix the leak first, just adding freon is a waste of time and the freon will leak out again.With a good system, you should never have to add refridgerant. . Also, if the system lost its charge to the point where the cycling switch will not activate the clutch, you need to evacuate the system and possibly replace the accumulator prior to recharging to do it correctly.