AC quit 2X in 1 Yr

It's working again. Wasnt at first. Checked the fuse, wiggled wires, turned the compressor, and still nothing, than it started. Cycled a few times early on, so thought low freon, but then it ran for 20 min without stopping. FUN...

Now it's working. Checked the fuse, wiggled wires, turned the compressor, It didn't start right away, and then did. Cycled a few times at first, so figured low freon, but then it ran for 20min.

There's a dual pressure switch in AC systems that disables the compressor if the pressure gets too high or too low. Most likely your system is low and there's a tiny leak somewhere. Quick and dirty test: find the high pressure valve (probably near the dryer unit) and press the valve QUICKLY. You should hear a loud high pressure SHHHH sound if the pressure is about right. If you get a soft SSSSSS sound the pressure is low.

Fix: Get the system repressurised. Any AC shop can check the pressure with simple equipment. Try to resist the demands that the system be first checked over at exhorbitant cost unless the pressure is really low. Just be aware that refrigerant just does not leak away without a reason, most commonly corrosion pin hole(s) in the front condensor. Less common is compressor seal failure (these either work or fail completely). On older cars some hoses get porous and the refrigerant leaks out through the hose wall.

Might also just be the compressor clutch is not engaging well.

Unless your car is pre 1994, it uses R143a refrigerant, not R12a, commonly know as freon.

SD

Thought I mentioned that the car is an 07' Impreza, but guess I didn't. I'm thinking the way it has acted the relay might be acting up, since it shut off once last summer, and once this year, so far. I was wondering if there was something that acted up often on new Subes, that I could check. I know a bit about AC's, and how they work, but don't really know how to fix them, and no vacuum pump.))

Going to get Hot this weekend, and I had a trip planned. I have an older car, and the Sube is just for trips, and to have a working AC.

VF

Our 03 OBW had both the intake and discharge hoses replaced in it's first 18 months or so - under warranty. Maybe FHI had a bad batch of hoses delivered?

Carl

Oh - as for checking something youself, make sure the electric fans are coming on. Engaging the a/c compressor should start up a fan, even on a cold engine.

just a possibility

Carl

I'm wondering, that with a push button AC switch, if the fans or anything would be energized, if the switch didn't light up?

Have a 100 deg heat wave starting tomorrow, so hoping it works. Since it Has run again, at a later time, I'm thinking it is something simple.

VF