Air conditioning

[jonmon6691]

I know winter is just around the corner, but I would like to get A/C off my list of things to do and I was wondering how much it usually costs.

I've been told that the freon (R-134 or something like that) is $80 a pound and the SHO takes 2.5 pounds. So thats $200 right there, but if the mechanic has to search for and fix a leak, how much does that usually cost?

I ran the self diagnostic on the climate control system and there where no problems. (888)

 

[jonmon6691]

Thanks for all those responses

The local shop quoted me $260 for Freon, Leak dye, and service.

Does that sound about right?

 

[itwonder]

You might want to use the Search function, there have been many threads on A/C problems. If your system uses the original R-12 refrigerant, that is more expensive, although $80/lb. sounds high. If it has been converted to R-134, that refrigerant is dirt cheap.

 

[hawkeye18]

Isn't 93 when they switched over to R-134? You need to find out which refrigerant you have. If it's R-12, then yes, it's going to be in the neighborhood, if not slightly lower, than $80/lb. R-134 is about $12/lb at advance auto - it may even be less than that.

Unfortunately, $260 sounds about right for what you need done. Finding leaks can be a hugely time consuming, tedious process. If you're lucky, it'll just be an o-ring up top and it'll be easy to replace. More than likely, it'll be a pinhole leak somewhere way down inside the compartment and they'll have to replace lines and whatnot... and then they have to vacuum and dry out the system, then fill it up... $260's really pretty cheap, unless you have a vacuum machine yourself and can do it (not likely)!

Also, the EATC self-test only tests the electronic portions of everything behind the firewall (with the exception of the ambient temp sensor). It tests the blend door, in-car temp sensor, ambient temp sensor, and EATC circuitry, and that's it.

 

[projectSHO89]

Most (but not all) 93's got R12, all 94s and newer were required to get R134a.

If it was originally R12, just convert it over. Your mechanic can give you details on that.

Steve

 

[jonmon6691]

I took it in today, it came to $278 with labor. The mechanic didn't find any major leaks, but he put leak die in and I'll come back in a few weeks and they can look for any small leaks.

BTW, now that there's finally refrigerant, I started trying to figure out how to work the climate control system. I don't know if this is a problem or I am just doing something wrong, but when I set the A/C to any mode (Vent, Auto, Defrost, etc.) It won't let me choose a fan speed. The only way to get it to run is to turn the fan speed all the way up, then it's on full blast, but anything in the middle and it won't run at all. I thought the self test might have caught this sort of problem if it is one.

 

[Slo-Sho]

Possible Blower Control Module. They always go bad.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

x2 on the Blower Control Module.

Do a search, you'll find a number of good threads on that as well.

 

[hawkeye18]

+1 on blower control module. You're gonna need to replace this:



Fortunately, it's pretty easy to replace. It's under the glove box. Not behind it, under it. There is a plastic shield held on by two weird little wing-screw things. Just rip those off and it's right there.

 

[jonmon6691]

Ok, so after some forum searching, I do feel sort of stupid for beating the subject to death.

From what I read, I think I just need to go find a BCM off a 93 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury somewhere and install it. I can get those pretty cheap right? ($30-$50)