Differences in 71 and 72 Cutlass A/C

texasred · 07-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Pulled the A/C out of my 72 parts car to transfer it over to my '71 which the previous idiot....I mean owner had removed. I found the '72 has a couple of extra wires including one to a post on the back of the compressor which does not appear to be a ground. The wires look like I could just add-on to the existing '71 harness or maybe they were there before but removed...heaven only knows what the previous owner did to it.

Anyone have a 71 and 72 or experience with such?

Help?

C.J.

2blu442 · 07-10-2007, 06:59 PM

I've dismantled cars of both years but never compared the wiring harnesses. Do you have both the 1971 and 72 Chassis Service Manuals? Good to see you back C.J. I hope all is well with you and yours. John

Chip · 07-10-2007, 11:04 PM

i don't know if I can help here but give me a few days, because on of the rare options on my 442 is factory ac but a owner before me disconected everything, but I've also a 72 coupe parts vehicle and I'll check them then get back here and post again.

ozoneblue · 07-11-2007, 04:56 AM

The extra wire on te back of the compressor is for a high pressure switch which is normaly grounded untill too much pressure is built up then it opens ,You wont need to worry about this

texasred · 07-11-2007, 01:01 PM

Here's the "offending" part of the harness. http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...2/100_1562.jpg
My 71 physically just has the wire to engage the compressor. This bit isn't there at all. As you can see, the 72 parts car had a jumper on one of the wire connectors, which leads me to believe it was a "low pressure cutoff" or some such thing.

Haven't had a chance to dive in any further. Everyone I know around here with 72 books is getting ready to head up to Nationals and I'm packing up parts to send there myself.

C.J.

And thanks for the welcome back, Blu.

texasred · 07-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Well I guess it pays to be unemployed.....I mean....errrrr....nevermind.....

Anyway, I had the time to do some digging and found an Olds Illustrated Parts Manual. It came on a CD I got from a company called Detroit Iron. I actually bought it for the CSM and Fisher Body Manual. Great for keeping the "real" ones from getting greasy!

71 and 72 were identical for A/C wiring. The wiring bit that's missing from my 71 is "Fuse, Thermal Limiter". Looks like it somehow jumpers between the Ambient Temp Switch on the suitcase and that mysterious high pressure connector on the back of the compressor (good call Ozone!)

I'm sure I'll have more questions when I actually put this puppy back together. Thanks, guys.

C.J.

HWYSTR455 · 07-31-2007, 09:52 AM

I think the difference used to be considered 'Super Heat' and non-Super Heat. Honestly, if you can, use a compressor that's the non-Super Heat type and avoid the whole mess. You can figure out the wiring by using the factory service manual to get around not using it, or order a harness without it from a place like M&H. The Super-Heat type compressors fail due to the internal limiter going bad, and they start eating up fuses. They are more expensive and harder to find than the non-Super Heat type too.

texasred · 07-31-2007, 10:16 AM

So is the 72 with the Thermal Limiter Fuse is the Super Heat Type?

Thanks.

C.J.

HWYSTR455 · 07-31-2007, 10:33 AM

Yes, WITH the fuse= Super Heat.

texasred · 07-31-2007, 11:33 AM

Thanks!

C.J.

07-10-2007, 03:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Differences in 71 and 72 Cutlass A/C Pulled the A/C out of my 72 parts car to transfer it over to my '71 which the previous idiot....I mean owner had removed. I found the '72 has a couple of extra wires including one to a post on the back of the compressor which does not appear to be a ground. The wires look like I could just add-on to the existing '71 harness or maybe they were there before but removed...heaven only knows what the previous owner did to it. Anyone have a 71 and 72 or experience with such? Help? C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

07-10-2007, 06:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 801	I've dismantled cars of both years but never compared the wiring harnesses. Do you have both the 1971 and 72 Chassis Service Manuals? Good to see you back C.J. I hope all is well with you and yours. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

07-11-2007, 01:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Here's the "offending" part of the harness. http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...2/100_1562.jpg My 71 physically just has the wire to engage the compressor. This bit isn't there at all. As you can see, the 72 parts car had a jumper on one of the wire connectors, which leads me to believe it was a "low pressure cutoff" or some such thing. Haven't had a chance to dive in any further. Everyone I know around here with 72 books is getting ready to head up to Nationals and I'm packing up parts to send there myself. C.J. And thanks for the welcome back, Blu. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

07-12-2007, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Well I guess it pays to be unemployed.....I mean....errrrr....nevermind..... Anyway, I had the time to do some digging and found an Olds Illustrated Parts Manual. It came on a CD I got from a company called Detroit Iron. I actually bought it for the CSM and Fisher Body Manual. Great for keeping the "real" ones from getting greasy! 71 and 72 were identical for A/C wiring. The wiring bit that's missing from my 71 is "Fuse, Thermal Limiter". Looks like it somehow jumpers between the Ambient Temp Switch on the suitcase and that mysterious high pressure connector on the back of the compressor (good call Ozone!) I'm sure I'll have more questions when I actually put this puppy back together. Thanks, guys. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

07-31-2007, 10:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	So is the 72 with the Thermal Limiter Fuse is the Super Heat Type? Thanks. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

07-10-2007, 11:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chip Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15	i don't know if I can help here but give me a few days, because on of the rare options on my 442 is factory ac but a owner before me disconected everything, but I've also a 72 coupe parts vehicle and I'll check them then get back here and post again.

07-11-2007, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
ozoneblue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 404	The extra wire on te back of the compressor is for a high pressure switch which is normaly grounded untill too much pressure is built up then it opens ,You wont need to worry about this

07-31-2007, 09:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
HWYSTR455 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16	I think the difference used to be considered 'Super Heat' and non-Super Heat. Honestly, if you can, use a compressor that's the non-Super Heat type and avoid the whole mess. You can figure out the wiring by using the factory service manual to get around not using it, or order a harness without it from a place like M&H. The Super-Heat type compressors fail due to the internal limiter going bad, and they start eating up fuses. They are more expensive and harder to find than the non-Super Heat type too.

07-31-2007, 10:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
HWYSTR455 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16	Yes, WITH the fuse= Super Heat.

07-31-2007, 11:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Thanks! C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

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