Loyale AC question

[azsubaru]

I'm a new member with a 91 2WD Loyale Wagon that I've had since it was new.

Driving down I-01 the other day, one of the bolts that holds the AC compressor down broke, and the compressor moved sideways, slamming into the power steering pulley and coming to a screeching halt.

 

I've fixed the bolt, but - not surprisingly - the compressor wont kick in. I checked the fuse, I've got voltage there. Checked out at the compressor and there's no voltage at the connector.

 

Does anyone have some advice on how to troubleshoot this thing?

[Cougar]

I have a manual for an '88 model so it may be a little different than yours. The manual shows the compressor power is supplied through fusible link 4 and then through a relay that is mounted on the right hand strut tower. There is also an optional fuse to the relay that may be located near it.

[azsubaru]

Thanks for the input. After reading your post, I checked both the relay and all the fusible links and they're all good. I'm thinking there must be another fuse or a diode or something that blew out, but I can't follow the circuit to find where it's losing power.

 

 

I have a manual for an '88 model so it may be a little different than yours. The manual shows the compressor power is supplied through fusible link 4 and then through a relay that is mounted on the right hand strut tower. There is also an optional fuse to the relay that may be located near it.

[Cougar]

Have you checked the fuse panel for the optional fuse? This is in addition to the AC fuse.

 

Edit.

After looking at the manual again, it shows the fuse is located near the relay on the right strut tower. The wire color is white though yours may be different. It looks like the the fuse is under a bracket that holds possibly a vacuum reservoir. Hopefully yours is the same way.

[NorthWet]

Does the compressor even try to kick on? Have you had someone watch the compressor clutch while someone else turns on the AC? Also, it might help to know if this is factory or dealer installed AC.

 

And, yes, the fuse is on the right-(US passenger-)side strut tower. On my turbo, it is on a bracket mounted on the backside of the tower using the strut studs.

[azsubaru]

Yes, I have checked the fuse on the right strut. It's good. Is there another AC fuse on a Loyale?

 

 

 

Have you checked the fuse panel for the optional fuse? This is in addition to the AC fuse.

 

Edit.

After looking at the manual again, it shows the fuse is located near the relay on the right strut tower. The wire color is white though yours may be different. It looks like the the fuse is under a bracket that holds possibly a vacuum reservoir. Hopefully yours is the same way.

[azsubaru]

Good idea - I did it myself by watching with the hood up. There's not even a twitch. This is a factory AC system. The blower fan works at all speeds. I have checked the fuse and it's good. I went ahead and chaanged it anyhow since I had an extra. Is there another AC fuse somewhere? I haven't checked them all, but the ones in the fuse box all seem to be working.

 

 

Does the compressor even try to kick on? Have you had someone watch the compressor clutch while someone else turns on the AC? Also, it might help to know if this is factory or dealer installed AC.

 

And, yes, the fuse is on the right-(US passenger-)side strut tower. On my turbo, it is on a bracket mounted on the backside of the tower using the strut studs.

[Cougar]

Did you also check for voltage at the fuse on the strut tower? If there is no voltage there, then you need to check the fusible links which should be in a small plastic box mounted on the coolant resevoir.

[azsubaru]

Yes, there's voltage at the fuse, on both sides. I borrowed a Chiltons and found the wiring schematic. The circuit seems to go from the fuse, through a relay (mounted right there on the strut, too), and then to the compressor. I've now switched out the relay with no change. very puzzling.

 

Did you also check for voltage at the fuse on the strut tower? If there is no voltage there, then you need to check the fusible links which should be in a small plastic box mounted on the coolant resevoir.

[Cougar]

Well it appears then that the control to turn on the relay is not doing its job. My manual shows that the relay is turned on by a slip amplifier. I will have to see where that is located. As a test, you could jumper the contacts of the relay to see if the compressor will turn on then.

[azsubaru]

Thanks - excellent suggestion. I will try jumpering the relay and report back in a couple days when I get back in town.

 

 

 

Well it appears then that the control to turn on the relay is not doing its job. My manual shows that the relay is turned on by a slip amplifier. I will have to see where that is located. As a test, you could jumper the contacts of the relay to see if the compressor will turn on then.

[Cougar]

Your welcome for the help.

 

The slip amplifier appears that it may be behind the passenger side kick panel. After looking over, there is a number of things involved with this circuit. There is a pulse coil tied too the amp and that may be in the compressor.