Hi,

I've an issue where my AC compressor clutch won't engage when I switch on the AC.

I had an issue last year where the AC was only cooling on the passenger side, I was told that this was possibly due to the refrigerant needing to be topped up.

Stupidly, I forgot all about it once the 1 week of good weather had passed.

Now the clutch won't engage, if I bypass the clutch relay, the clutch will engage so I know the clutch is good, I swapped out the relay with a known working one and it still didn't come on.

I suspect that it may be not coming on due to the refrigerant being too low.

Are there pressure sensors that would inhibit the compressor?

My local Halfords said that they couldn't top up without the compressor running, so if it is as I suspect that the refrigerant is low, in theory I could frig it to run to allow new refrigerant to be added.

Thanks in advance.

 

When you bypass and the compressor runs does it blow cold?

 

No, no noticeable change in the air temp

 

You need to visit another shop.

The system has pressure sensors that will inhibit the compressor from running with low gas, this to stop the compressor dying from overuse trying to pump up low pressure.

 

This ^^^. The people are incompetent regarding your AC.

Your system is low on refrigerant and No, the compressor does not have to be running to add. Make sure they look for a leak or you will just have the same problem again. Unless you are familiar with AC systems you are in over your head. Have it done right. Ruining the compressor which you are on track to do is a very expensive repair.