Air conditoner

[jock82]

I have a 1989 de Ville, in May the air conditioner quit. The dealer replaced it, compressor,

etc. The service air conditioner light would come on while driving but it would still blow

cold air. I took it back they could not find the problem. Today while driving the light came on and the compressor turned off and went to the economy setting. When I got home I disconnected

the battery and it reset and the air conditioner is working again. It had done this once before

back during the summer. The dealer cannot find the problem. Any ideas.

[Cadillac Jim]

Get the OBD I codes. Here's how:

http://www.caddyinfo.com/readingcodes.html

When you have them, post them here. They will tell us why the light came on, and why the PCM cut off the air conditioning.

[KHE]

What refrigerant is in the car? An '89 Deville should have R-12 but it could have been converted to R-134a at some point. Many times a lesser amount of R-134a is installed as "correct", the low refrigerant code is set, and the compressor is disabled.

[jock82]

I checked the codes, all I had was the E52 memory reset, I forgot to check it before I

disconnected the battery to reset the computer. I guess I will have to wait until it

cuts the computer off again. R-12 is still in the car, I have had this car since 1989 and

this is really the only major trouble I have had with it, other than an alternator, an

air conditioner relay and a water valve, I have just performed regular maintenance, tires,

belts, hoses, coolant and fluid changes, etc. I guess I am just getting old but I really hate

these electronic cars. Thanks

[KHE]

It sounds like there is a leak in the system somewhere - that's why the compressor turned off. I would have the dealer check it over - they should do that since you just paid them to have the work done.

[BodybyFisher]

I checked the codes, all I had was the E52 memory reset, I forgot to check it before I

disconnected the battery to reset the computer. I guess I will have to wait until it

cuts the computer off again. R-12 is still in the car, I have had this car since 1989 and

this is really the only major trouble I have had with it, other than an alternator, an

air conditioner relay and a water valve, I have just performed regular maintenance, tires,

belts, hoses, coolant and fluid changes, etc. I guess I am just getting old but I really hate

these electronic cars. Thanks

In 1989 the electronics were just getting up and running. Believe it or not, the electronics and diagnostics gets better and it actually helps you fix it. When I first got my 91, I was amazed that it actually helped you to fix it...

[albotti]

Normally before the sensor shuts down the compressor, you can tell you are low on refrigerant, the Air is barely cold. Its more dificult now in winter to tell of course. If you know someone that has a presure gauge for A/C you can check it, if low you can buy R134 or R12 now most anywhere and dump a can in. I have done this

before and it solved the problem on my other car which is a Z/28 Camaro.

[Ranger]

if low you can buy R134 or R12 now most anywhere and dump a can in.

True for R134a, but R12 is no longer sold to the general public.