IK-Tornado

I own an 87 N/A GXL.
Short version: When the AC is on, the engine stops running when put in idle speeds

details: one day this summer i was driving on a pretty hot day, i decided to roll up the windows and turn on the air conditioning. This was ok, the AC wasn't as cold as it was last time i checked it.
A few minutes driving with it on pass and i need to shift down, the second i push down the clutch the engine stopped, Followed by i think 2 beeps that repeated 2-3 times.
I start back up and every time i do it dies if i let the engine get at an idling speed. Eventually after starting up a certain amount of times (don't remember i was scared for my FC, and i was on a street thats terrible place to be.) a white smoke was coming up from the hood.
Pushed it into the parking lot of a corner store, and opened the hood to see if everything looks safe.
The Smoke seemed to come from below the air conditioning compressor (according to my Haynes manual)
I just recently on a cool night tried the AC again but as soon as i push in the clutch the engine stops.


The engine idles around 700 RPM. Maybe it doesn't idle high enough for AC?

satch

iTrader: (1)

The idle speed should be about 750 rpm if the BAC is working properly as its role is to maintain an idle speed when load is placed upon the engine such as turning on the A/C. If the engine is idling w/o any load on the engine and the BAC electrical plug is removed and the idle falters then that should be a clue to the idle being set too low and is in need of being bumped up. And does your car have power steering, as a group of repeated beeps is usually associated w/that particular aspect of the car.

IK-Tornado

ok i just figured out the AC compressor is locked up which is what is stopping the engine. My grandfather says that it might use an old outlawed freon, so does anyone know what kind of refrigerant my year takes?
Thanks satch, and sorry i wasted your time with my limited knowledge before i could get my grandpa to help in person :\

satch

iTrader: (1)

It uses R-12 originally which some shops still have. It can also be retrofitted to accept other variants.

AjaxOfTheRockies

I bought some Freeze-12, which is a replacement for R-12 and it seemed to work pretty well. I just put it in just the same as the original without making any modifications

IK-Tornado

thank satch and Ajack, I'll try that freeze-12 stuff once i switch out my AC Compressor with a working one.

AjaxOfTheRockies

I think I still have 4 or 5 cans of the stuff I'm not going to need. Could make you a deal if you want. pm me and we can see what works.