Date:         Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:11:27 -0600
Reply-To:     Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: '86 Westy A/C Problem
In-Reply-To:  <496D27BE.7070105@qwest.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Keith,

I have the single switch (fan speed in the middle and temp control on the
outside) located to the left of the steering column.  The overhead fans work
fine.  The radiator cooling fan comes on when the AC is turned on.  Pressure
is OK - I had it checked.  The compressor clutch does not engage and the
idle does not kick up.

Deke

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Keith Hughes
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:46 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: '86 Westy A/C Problem

> Date:    Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:17:03 -0600
> From:    Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
> Subject: '86 Westy A/C Problem
>
> I'm trying to do some electrical troubleshooting on my early "86 Westy
> camper.  Can anyone tell me how I can get to the low-pressure switch and
the
> A/C relay?  From what I've been able to find in the archives and other
> places it appears to be at the "D" pillar behind the closet.  But it is
> beyond me to figure out how to get to it..

Deke,

If you have an early '86, it is likely that it's configured more like an
'85.  Where is your temp/fan switch(es)?  If you have a single temp/fan
switch to the left of the steering column, you can kiss the Bentley
goodbye for electrical issues, and component locations.  If you have
separate switches, it should be similar to Bentley.

If you have the single switch system (like my '86 Westy does) then the
main A/C relay is near the 'firewall', drivers side, below and to the
left of the instrument cluster.  You'll also have a separate temp
controller with two yellow wires going to the temp/fan switch (this unit
also monitors the freeze sensor in the evaporator to kill the compressor
when the evap temp is too low - like *that's* a real problem).  You'll
also have three other relays mounted above the fuses - may not be
visible until you drop the fuse panel - with one for the compressor, one
for the low speed radiator fan, and one for the high speed radiator
fan.  You likely do not have either a high pressure or low pressure
cutoff switch either.  And you won't have anything in the "D" pillar
except A/C hoses.

What kind of problems are you having?

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)