'91 custom cruiser A/C inop

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Old April 23rd, 2018, 03:17 PM
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'91 custom cruiser A/C inop

The F° or C° readout flashes and I have no compressor engagement. I know on a same vintage GM truck it would be a bad control head. I assume it's the same deal here. Any thoughts ?
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Old April 23rd, 2018, 04:54 PM
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The compressor is locked out most likely due to low refrigerant or just from winter. There is a procedure to reset but I forget what it involves right now...its some sequence of button pressing on the HVAC panel on the dash. The flashing F is telling you its locked out.
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Old April 23rd, 2018, 06:50 PM
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Low freon!
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Old April 24th, 2018, 05:13 AM
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If it's low on r12 here is a legitamate r12 substitute I used in the system of my 86 f250. It works great. Don't even bother considering a conversion to r134a unless you go to a completely new system, it doesn't cool as well in an r12 system.

Amazon Amazon
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Old April 24th, 2018, 06:24 AM
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Craigslist and swap meets are a good source for r12.. I’d agree on swapping refrigerants.
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Old April 24th, 2018, 09:17 AM
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Disconnecting the battery will clear the lockout if the condition was temporary or after repairs are made
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Old April 24th, 2018, 12:40 PM
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'91 Custom Cruiser A/C inop

I saw how to do the diag with the control head online. Mine wont do it at all. I did bypass the pressure cycling switch which led me to the control head. It was low on refrigerant so I added a can of R12A(which I've found works great) and still nothing. I'll disconnect the battery tonight and try again.
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Old April 24th, 2018, 02:15 PM
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'91 Custom Cruiser A/C inop

I may have done the push button diag wrong. Anybody have the correct procedure ? and do '91s have it ?
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Old April 24th, 2018, 02:46 PM
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If the F is flashing the compressor won't run, and you won't be able to add refrigerant. On a 92 the ext temp button must be pressed at the same time as the off button. Hold for 5 seconds. This will put the system in diagnosis mode. A code should come up, 09 is low freon. If 09 is displayed press he off button and the code should clear, F no longer flashing and compressor enabled for charging. This is from the 92 shop manual, don't know if 1991 is the same.
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Old April 24th, 2018, 06:46 PM
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'91 Custom Cruiser A/C inop

Thanks, i'll try it tonight.
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Old April 25th, 2018, 11:08 AM
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'91 Custom Cruiser A/C inop

Thanks Oldsmaniac ! It worked. was code 09. I added two cans of r12a and she blows ice cold now. I need to dig out my leak detector ,and find where it all went. Thank you all.
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Old April 25th, 2018, 11:20 AM
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Cool!! My 1st wagon had the electronic system while my now wagon is non electronic. I converted it to 134a and it worked for a couple of seasons, but now has a pretty big leak, have not researched the trouble yet....
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Old April 25th, 2018, 01:49 PM
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I used r12a not r12. its already been converted to r134 but was almost empty. I worked for GM as a tech for many years. I've seen and done r134 conversions and never really been happy with results. I'm not a fan of r134. This r12a is all over ebay for cheap.I'm told it's not legal in this country because its flammable. But I guess that's gonna change. It works great. Fatter molocule so it even leaks out slower. No need to evacuate, change seals or oil. Mixes with any oil or refrigerant. Use a third as much and runs at lower pressures.
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Old April 25th, 2018, 04:46 PM
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Oops, spoke too soon. Still blows cold but F is flashing intermittently and now has code 08. Anybody have a list of the codes ?
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