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Topic: A/C Compressor Clutch Won't Engage

in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems


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A/C Compressor Clutch Won't Engage (1/3)
 2/25/25 2:30pm
chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)


Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 56

My '95 Z07 gets "stored" in the garage for winter here in South Central PA, but instead of doing a lot prepping for the winter, I simply drive it once a month regardless of the outside temperature for approximately 40-60 minutes.  I check to make sure everything is still functioning, and yesterday, the A/C did not blow cold air;  quick check indicated that the compressor clutch was not engaging.

Corvette Central has an excellent Tech Blog for all Corvette owners, and I found one about this very problem;  the problem seems to be that the Auto Heat/Air Conditioner controller just might be confused or has lost it's "memory" from sitting long periods of time without being used, and Corvette Central's advice was to remove the the Courtesy Fuse and the A/C Fuse for a period over 10 seconds, reinstall the fuses and operate the A/C system.  That advice worked and my A/C system now functions perfectly.  NOTE:  Probably because I was dealing with a 30yr old computer, it took about 60 seconds for the compressor clutch to engage, and just slightly longer for the interior courtesy lights to come back on.

Dave

 

 

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Re: A/C Compressor Clutch Won't Engage (2/3)
 2/26/25 11:02am
Bob DeCardenas
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Cocoa, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1990 C4 convertible Polo green/tan interior&top
1991 C4 ZR-1 red/tan
2020 C8 coupe Rapid blue/silver stripe/red interior


Joined: 8/21/2022
Posts: 43

If it’s low on Freon it will not go on. You can add a small amount and see if that activates it. The kits are sold everywhere but make sure to get one with a gauge. 

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Re: A/C Compressor Clutch Won't Engage (3/3)
 2/26/25 4:34pm
chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)


Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 56

Thanks for the suggestion, Bob.  Always nice to have alternative troubleshooting advice from those that have "been there, done that".  

Another suggestion came from my favorite YouTube Channel, C&S Corvettes;  Lyle responded immediately to my email explaining to him what I had done, and he suggested that unhooking the battery for more than 10 minutes might also have fixed that particular problem.  

What I learned from this is that there are so many electronic gremlins involved in owning a C4 Corvette, that simply unhooking the battery might just be the first step in any trouble shooting procedure;  yes, the engine computer will need to relearn its' proper control settings, and yes, ya might lose the radio and time programming, but no big deal.

Dave

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