I have decided to tackle the non-functioning a/c
system in my 72. As you all likely know, this is an Auto Temp II
system. Anyway, the symptoms are: nothing happens when any of the buttons
are pressed. I have gone through the shop manual and tried a few
things. What I have determined so far is the little diaphram things on the
air box do move when the buttons are pressed, however the fan does not come on,
and I am not sure if the A/C compressor is functioning or not. There is no
noises or any signs of activity I can determine anywhere in the
system.
Anyway, the one thing that has me scratching my
head is this. Checking the vacuum line connector at the buttons, as I
thought I heard a vacuum leak (was something else not related to the a/c), there
is a seven line coupling, the shop manual shows number 5 is a "bleed
wire". On my car, this vacuum line has a grey coloured piece of electrical
wire stuck into the line, and the other end was not connected to anything.
It ran towards the passenger side of the car, but I could not find where this
wire may have went. Now, for the life of me, I cannot figure out what an
electrical wire is doing stuck in a vacuum line hose, however the labeling as a
bleed wire tells me this is supposed to do something, and the wire is in there
quite tight, so maybe it belongs there? So, can anyone
familiar with this vintage vehicle straighten me out on this "bleed wire"
thing, and point me in the right direction on trouble shooting my a/c
system. I am seriously considering stripping off a non autotemp
system from a similar vintage Chrysler and converting, but thought I
would take a shot at fixing this one first.
I am aware that the main problem with these systems
is that big plastic box on the passenger side fender liner, but
how do I find out if this is good or not? I couldn't find
any screws, and the top seems to be attached by some pliable rubber or silicon
plugs, so I am leery of pulling it apart, at least until I have secured a
few spares to swap on.
Anyway, I await the feedback from the sages
here.
Robert Weldon
68 Newport Conv.
72 Lebaron 2 dr.
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