AC compressor and fan

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Busdriver
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AC compressor and fan

Post by Busdriver »

My interior climate control fan stopped working yesterday, never had any indication that it was near the end...
None of the settings 1-4 work.

My AC compressor has been making sound when turned to AC. No sound when AC is not engaged, but when engaged the compressor is making almost a bad bearing sound. Which I don't think should be the pulley bearing, does the clutch always make a loud sound??

I searched extensively for the first part, got some tips: check fuses,
check relay (silver and white under dash by steering column) then check relay at blower motor, then finally motor.
I don't have a digital multi meter yet, any suggestions for this apparatus? Any other places to start.

Thanks
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Busdriver
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Update - new questions

Post by Busdriver »

So I checked the fuses for the Heater, there are 2 @ 15amps

Both were fried, so I removed both and replaced one with a new fuese. The blower started working again like previously. Then I moved the fuse to the other spot and same thing.
My questions:
Why are there two 15 fuses?
What happens if I just replace on new fuse?
Why were both fried?
Where should I look for the fault?
I haven't installed anything new besides brake pads a while ago.
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

There's two fuses because the total draw is probably 30 amps, and you can use two 15 amp fuses instead of one 30 amp fuse.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

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Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

Yeah, the fuses did their job until I started the subster up and turned the fan on again...
Both fuses busted again!!

I should have just put one fuse in it worked then too!! now I don't have a replacement....
Any starters on if it is a short and where it could be??
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

Do you have the fuse numbers?
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

They are the two for the Heaters 15amp
on the fuse block diagram they are located in the top right (so front of car and closest to floor.
where do you get the numbers?
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

Do you have your owner's manual? They will give a diagram of the fuse box and the numbers.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

No owner manual
shouldn't it be the same as your 90 Josh?
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
vrg3
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Post by vrg3 »

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Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

Perfect, Thanks vrg3!

the fuse numbers are 20 and 21
if that helps any...
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

any suggestions on the AC compressor noise, or dmm's??
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
vrg3
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Post by vrg3 »

Maybe one of the compressor's bearings is going. Have you kept up with keeping the system charged properly?

Are you asking for a suggestion as to what DMM to buy? It all depends on how much you're gonna use it. If you just want a simple cost-effective one to use for basic stuff, maybe try this one:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/c ... m=DMM-9202

All Electronics is cool.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

Hey sweet thanks vrg3!

I like that dmm, it's reasonable too. I don't think I'll be using it a whole lot except for some repairs on my soobster
No I did not check the AC compressor bearing, is it inside the big tube or right behind the pulley?
I just got the wagon, so I don't know how the maintenace was, seems to be blowing pretty cold though!
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
vrg3
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Post by vrg3 »

I don't think you really can access the compressor bearing. I was just guessing that maybe the system wasn't kept at full charge so maybe the compressor's been at least occasionally starved for lubricant.

If you want to try feeling for stuff, try turning the clutch clockwise with the engine off. It should turn smoothly and the resistance should rhythmically rise and fall as it turns.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

I'll give it a try after work.
do I grab the whole pulley?
or just the front part with the crossmember looking brakets?
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
vrg3
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Post by vrg3 »

Just the front part with the crossmember looking brackets. If you grab the whole pulley you won't be able to turn it, since the belt couples it to the engine. :)
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

So I turned the front part after work it went smooth, but there was no regular slowing down...
Looking at it more closely with the engine running AC off the AC belt is smooth rolling, when AC is turned on the belt starts shackling a bit, I thought maybe that's what's making the noise, still have to take the shield off for further investigation...

Any ideas on the fuses getting blown, a short somewhere??
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

Those fuses go directly to the blower motor relay, and then to the motor.

I'd suggest trying to get a spare blower motor from a junkyard.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Busdriver
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Post by Busdriver »

So you think something with the motor is wrong? when it works (fuses not blown) it works great!
how much would they be from a j yard?
NO other fix??
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

I don't see anything else tied to that circuit. It does route through the fan switch and such, so those things are a possibility, but I doubt it.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Busdriver
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Location: Sunny Diego

Post by Busdriver »

My buddy was playing with the fan controls and the fan started blowing at the according speeds today, haven't checked the fuses again, but they work....?
Stock 1991 Legacy L+ AWD 5MT wagon 191k+ mi
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