how to know the a/c is working?

[neps]

I was wondering where I should listen, or what I should obsurve to make sure that the air conditioner is functioning. I tried running it last night when I got the car back from the shop, and the air felt cool, but not a/c cool, and it was an average cold night here in new york. where should I look in the engine?

[quicksilverdon]

With engine idling, switch on A/C. You'll hear change in the engine, and RPM should go up a bit. There's really nothing to see under the hood, the pulley is turning all the time, the electric clutch either engages or disengages to turn A/C on/off.

[SteelBlueGT]

Wait a second, are U telling us you put on the A/C and it dont get real cold pretty fast?? There is something very wrong here!! My problem is I don't know if the A/C is engaged when I put the defroster on! I have been told that one setting will keep the windshield defrosting but disengages the A/C. My A/C is so quiet and vibration free I am not sure the A'/C is turned off!!

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by SteelBlueGT

Wait a second, are U telling us you put on the A/C and it dont get real cold pretty fast?? There is something very wrong here!! My problem is I don't know if the A/C is engaged when I put the defroster on! I have been told that one setting will keep the windshield defrosting but disengages the A/C. My A/C is so quiet and vibration free I am not sure the A'/C is turned off!!

If you go a couple clicks down from defrost, so you're sending air out side as well as defrost vents, A/C shouldn't go on. In Defrost, you can have heat on, but A/C will still go on to dehumidify the air.
There was also a thread on another forum about snipping a wire so A/C wouldn't come on automatically in defrost setting.

[SteelBlueGT]

Ok I have two indicators on the dial that indicates defrost. One is at the bottom and indicates defrost only and the other is more toward the top of the indicator dial that indicates defrost and air to the knees. There are three dots between the two indicators. Where can I put the controls so I get defrost but no A/C compressor running?? I have been putting the pointer on the dot belowe the defrost/knees symbol. As fast as the windows defrost I think I am still activating the A/C compressor!!

[quicksilverdon]

Do it at idle - you ought to hear when compressor kicks in.