Hey all, I have been trying to go through the process of installing A/C in my '86 base. It never had it, I believe it was a dealer option? I know alot of people remove the A/C (because race car) but it's something I would like to have. I have most, if not all the parts that it needs and 95% of the components are installed including lines, compressor, various relays, little baby electric fan, evap, dryer, etc. The thing I am currently scratching my head at, is the location of the electric compressor clutch wire. Where is it? I was under the impression that the wiring harness for the AC cars and non-AC cars was the same, but that some of the wiring and plugs are squirreled away and taped off (as was the case for the plug to the electric fan, and a plug that connects to a relay thing on the blower motor). Is my assumption wrong? I looked in the manual of where its supposed to be, but its nowhere near there as far as I can tell, unless its hidden under something, or is very far away. Does anyone have any idea where the plug would be hidden on a non-AC wiring harness, or if its just absent? Also, if it is absent, is there some insight on where it goes so I could potentially run a new wire for it?

 

Gonna reply in the off chance someone has the same issue at some point. After lots of staring at wiring diagrams and the car, I figured it out. The only wiring that isn't present, is the wiring going into and out of the relay, electric clutch, and pressure switch. I bought an aftermarket relay on ebay, and did all the wiring in an afternoon. Didn't have to run anything through the firewall as there is a plug right under where the relay sits, that has wires already routed to the correct spots under the dash(CPU, Blower motor plugs and whatnot). Everything works electrically and its fantastic.

Now is a different issue. I got the system charged up following jackhild's thread about r152a, and it ran good for awhile and then started leaking. Threw some dye in, gave a half hearted charge and checked again. Leaking at the compressor hose to condenser connection, tightened it down even though it seemed awfully tight already. Vacuumed system down, held at -33ish for little over an hour, figured that was good enough. Charged system all the way. I am having an issue where the system blows cold sort of intermittently. It will start cold, then get a little warmer, but still well below ambient, then get cold again. This happens regardless of compressor engagement. It also seems to cool much better at idle. I would assume the opposite should be true correct? more air over condenser and higher compressor speeds should cool better? Any ideas on why this may be, would be appreciated. Also, there a drain for the evaporator correct? Right now it is dripping water all over the passenger side carpet.

 

bottom of the evap housing has a tube that runs out the firewall

 

That makes alot of sense, will check that out. Thanks.

 

btw, did you source a new or used condenser and evap? i need new ones.

 

The condenser, fan, compressor and all the lines were stolen from my brothers car before he sold it. The evaporator with expansion valve I bought used off of ebay for not alot. Dont remember exactly how much, but it was less than 50$ i think