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How do you "unplug" the AC Compressor?

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Old 07-03-12, 11:26 PM
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Hayk
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Default How do you "unplug" the AC Compressor?

I bought one of those A/C Refresher Kits to clean up my HVAC. Looks like this.



On the back of Step 2, it reads:

....For optimum results and longer effectiveness, use the following procedures. Disable the A/C compressor by unplugging power to compressor or accumulator/dryer. Start engine. Place the A/C selector in the NORMAL mode and the blower selector in the HIGH position. Run until evaporator is dry. Locate the air intake vent on the vehicle. Spray entire contents of CondionAire into the air intake vent. The vehicle's A/C system will circulate the product and the entire system will be freshened in minutes...
How do I do that? Is there a relay and/or fuse I need to pull?
Old 07-04-12, 06:58 AM
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PFB
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I suppose you can effectively accomplish this by setting your climate cotrol to the Maximum heat setting. This should keep the A/C compressor off.

If Iits very humid outside it may still come on however

Phill
Old 07-04-12, 08:18 AM
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hypervish
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You can check the fuse box under the hood to see if there is any fuses or relays for the compressor. I can't recall off the top of my head if there is one.
Old 07-04-12, 09:09 AM
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Hayk
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Wht if I turn off the A/C button? Would that disable the compressor?
Old 07-04-12, 10:22 AM
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The compressor itself should have a plug on it for the clutch, maybe unplug that. Perhaps the instructions have a reason for this method, though I can't think the path changes if you turn off the A/C with the button

Let us know how the product works, I bought on of these kits for my stinky WRX A/C and never used it. I might try it out on the ES since I am getting a bit of musty smell through the vents.
Old 07-04-12, 11:20 AM
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hypervish
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Originally Posted by MrBooby
Wht if I turn off the A/C button? Would that disable the compressor?
It should. But, cars with auto climate do some crazy things. LOL. Just make sure the mode is facing "face" and not on legs, or windshield. Because when it's on windshield it turns the A/C compressor on.
Old 07-04-12, 08:22 PM
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I turned off the A/C button and set it on 76 degrees with the blower on full blast - both face and feet. Sprayed the cleaner into three intakes in the cowl, which seemed to do the trick. The compressor never came on.

I also installed a cabin filter. I suspect the previous owners did not even know it existed. The inlet was filled with dirt and leaves.

I also used "Step 1" to clean out the Evaporator. The fluid wasn't too dirty, so that's a good sign. And I shot some compressed air into the vents while having the blower on. Lots of nasty stuff came out. It looked like foam that disintegrated over the years.

The reason I did all this was because I suspected that the HVAC was the cause of my allergic reactions which I started having about two months ago. Let's see if they return...
Old 07-04-12, 10:02 PM
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EEngineer
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nothing you put in the hvac system will be able to fully clean the vents.
i took the dash out and hand washed every duct with soap and water. it is the only way to fully clean everything.
Old 07-04-12, 10:03 PM
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Hayk
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Originally Posted by EEngineer
nothing you put in the hvac system will be able to fully clean the vents.
i took the dash out and hand washed every duct with soap and water. it is the only way to fully clean everything.
I agree, but there is no way I'm going to go in that deep.
Old 07-25-12, 04:31 PM
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My AC use to stink like hell for the first few mins when it was intitially first turned on as well. I used the Toyota AC cleaner on my 08 IS350. The evap drain is right above the transmission near the front (A black colored loonie sized plug, you need to lower the tranny 1.5 inches to get access to it and see it. It took about 1.5 hours to complete the job. I changed the cabin filter as well. Nice smelling AC again.. thank god it worked.
Old 07-25-12, 04:46 PM
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Yea I haven't had any problems with mucus so it seemed to have worked.
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