The AC in the same 98 Neon just died when the weather started to get warm. I listened to it and the compressor does not even turn on. She had it in at some place for an oil change this morning and they told her that the compressor is shot too (not that hard to figure out I guess, if you do not hear it come on).

I did a search and read a lot of threads on neons.org on checking vacuum lines, etc... but should I bother with any of that if the compressor does not even turn on? Should I just pick up a used compressor from a wrecker and swap it?

Thanks for any advice.

Don't jump to conclusions yet about the compressor... Theres a pressure switch in the AC system, and if the freon pressure is too low(or 0) then the AC compressor won't turn on... Thats more than likely the problem.

Find somewhere that'll do a pressure test on it, and I can almost guarantee they'll find there's no freon.

Chances are its some bad seals that let it leak out, happens on ALOT of 1st gen neons.

i have the same problem...any idea what the price tag will be to fix it?

^^ All depends on what is broken... Try to find a place that can pressurize the system with air and check for leaks... If its just a few rubber seals, and a recharge it should be less than $100. If you need a new condensor, or compressor then it could be alot more.

Don't jump to conclusions yet about the compressor... Theres a pressure switch in the AC system, and if the freon pressure is too low(or 0) then the AC compressor won't turn on... Thats more than likely the problem.

This is what is wrong with my neon. The sensor is located near the top of the firewall on the passenger side.

But yeah my neon lost its freeon supply as well. Have not replaced it yet.

Originally Posted by NEONDOHC

This is what is wrong with my neon. The sensor is located near the top of the firewall on the passenger side.

But yeah my neon lost its freeon supply as well. Have not replaced it yet.

take out your air for speed!

but... u needa license to to any a/c work..
since the refrigerant..will escape into air...and eat away at ozone layer..

Originally Posted by neonSRT

Find somewhere that'll do a pressure test on it, and I can almost guarantee they'll find there's no freon.

Do you know of any place in this area that will do it?

Well, she took the car in for an oil change today and the shop offered to do a check on her AC system... ACR check?? They checked for:

(a) fluid level
(b) leaks in the system

The fluid is full and there are NO leaks... which is why they concluded that the compressor is dead.

Correct assumption?

^^^ what fluid are they talking about??? Freon is a gas, not a liquid.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I highly doubt most oil change places have the equipment to test AC system pressure, and definitely cannot replace the freon...

I'd have somewhere else check it out(somewhere that specializes in AC systems). Lots of places will check it out for free...

depending on how much you want to trust Barg..
they do A/C systems...checks and what not..
I'm pretty sure at pretty good prices as well
give them a call

Originally Posted by neonSRT

^^^ what fluid are they talking about??? Freon is a gas, not a liquid.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I highly doubt most oil change places have the equipment to test AC system pressure, and definitely cannot replace the freon...

I'd have somewhere else check it out(somewhere that specializes in AC systems). Lots of places will check it out for free...

She had it done at Economy Lube. They had the equipment there and did the check for free. If there was something in there that they could fix, like a leak then they would have charged her $60 for the check but that was not the case. They seem pretty honest so I am inclined to believe what they said... ?? I wasn't there so I dunno...

I guess they did check the Freon... she just said "the fluid level" but I assume she meant the Freon level.

What other place would you recommend that I go, for a free check? A quick search in the yellow pages yielded no results for AC places... just home stuff.