[Bruce Wayne]

the AC compressor is driven off the drive belt and has a magnetic clutch which engages the compressor, if there is not enough refrigerant in the system the pressure switch shuts the clutch off so the compressor isn't spinning away with nothing in the system.

if you have the engine running and press the A/C button, you'll hear the idle tone change as the compressor adds load onto the belt, you'll probably even notice a slight rpm drop, but if the compressor is working and engaging, you'll be getting cold air anyway. if not, then for some reason the compressor is being prevented from the clutch being engaged.

you should be able to take the car to any A/C service place and they have a machine which connects onto the system runs a pressure test then recharges the coolant; some auto stores do the pressure check for free and that will tell you if there is a leak. if there is a leak and the system isn't holding pressure , i'd bet a buck that a condensor is leaking, most probably on the passenger side in furthest out corner where debris collects..

if it is holding pressure and it's not coming on then either the compressor or clutch is faulty, the pressure switch is faulty.

replacing the condensor is very easy, i've done both of mine as well as the rads and dropping the front valence off and getting to the rads to inspect / clear out debris takes less than 10 mins start to finish.

as a visual inspection you'll see signs of coolant leak down the condensors.


after doing anywork on the A/C system the closed circuit system will need to be recharged by an A/C service place has the machine it hooks up to to recharge the refrigerant and they do charge for that, so it's worthwhile having a look in the intakes for debris, if you do have a place nearby that does a free pressure / system test, take it there, if the result is all clean and good then get the system recharged and you should be off and away.

oh and as an aside, if you do open the system to replace or repair anything, it's probably worthwhile throwing a new reciever/dryer on, again very easy to replace, if you have no idea whan it was last changed.