Pancho

R134 Refrigerant: what is capacity on 430CLK ?

What is the maximum capacity of refrigerant in a 430CLK year 2000 ?

Has leak last summer. Compressor not spinning.
Put in 1 can (1 Lb.), and compressor engaged.
AC worked great for remainder of last summer.

Now, this summer, no A/C. EC light on.

Did ignition key trick and turned off EC light.
Set A/C to 60 degrees and turned on fan.
Blower has not come on. Nothing coming out of vents.

Put in 1 can, compressor did not engage.
Put in 2nd can, compressor did not engage.
Put in 1/2 of 3rd can, compressor still not engaged.

Am I missing a step somewhere ?
How do I get the compressor to engage ?
What is the total refrigerant capacity ?

Additional info.
Had vehicle on jack stands for about 1 month while I replaced
front lower control arms, and battery went dead. Recharged battery
last week. So, the loss of electricity might be a factor in someone's
evaluation.

MarcusF

I don't know the capacity off hand, but if the fan is not engaging, it may be the blower motor regulator. The part is about $100 and takes little time to change.

Pancho

Will cabin blower or regulator switch keep air conditioner compressor from engaging?

Changed regulator in June 2010--a year ago. Today, added refrigerant, but the clutch on compressor was not engaging the compressor, so compressor was not spinning.

Last year, I got a blower regulator switch on net from Autohauz for about $100 and installed it last June. I don't think the regulator is bad, but don't know how to test it.

Today, I turned on the A/C and nothing came out of the vents, Then I switched on the heat, and still nothing coming out of the vents. I don't know if a bad regulator, or bad blower would keep the air conditioner compressor from engaging.

So, some questions:

1. Will a bad cabin blower or regulator switch keep air conditioner compressor from engaging?

2. Would like to isolate the blower to see if it is working. How would I test the blower separately from the regulator to see if it is a blower problem?

Thanks

MarcusF

I don't think a blower regulator will stop an AC compressor from engaging. I've never disconnected one and tested the AC compressor. I do know it will stop the fan from moving.

I'm no AC tech, but as far as I know, if the R134 pressure drops below a certain level, the AC stores a code and the EC light won't turn off. You then have to clear the AC codes before adding a can because an active compressor is required to pull the 134 in.

When you put the AC in diagnostic mode, what does code 7 register? Code 7 is the barometric pressure of the R134. Also, have you dumped the AC codes?

If you don't know how to put the AC in diagnostic mode or are unsure of how to dump the AC codes (two different procedures, but both done on the electronic HVAC controller), let me know and I'll post the instructions.