compressor problemo

[crawlin91]

I got a 91 ranger. my compressor keeps coming on for about 10 seconds then turns itself off. even if I am not running the air(turned off in the cab). I took it to a shop and the guy said its because it is low on coolant but that he cant fill it because its an old system. (EPA b.s. dont sell anymore, etc.)
I fished around the site a little for some more information on the subject but im still confused.
Can these be refilled to work again? Or do I have to retrofit which the shop said would cost somewhere around 1100 dollars?!
Or is there a way to just disable the compressor or even yank the bastard out? Its making my truck dog out when it comes on and like I said is running whether its switched on or not.
I dont mind just rolling down my windows so what would be easiest?

[exbass94]

If you don't want to use AC, just unplug the electrical connector on the compressor. That will keep it from turning on. Your system is filled with R12 refrigerant, and the tech was right, it is no longer produced in the US anymore. You can retrofit to R134a refrigerant, which involves evacuating the system, replacing some parts (forget which ones) and refilling with R134a. I don't think it should cost $110 though. Ask some other shops what they would charge for a retrofit.

[crawlin91]

Ok. it stopped turning on constantly after they looked at it. He said I may be able to find a shop that still carrys the old refrigerant but at a hefty $100 per lb even though its no longer made. How long will the AC blow cold if it is recharged? If I can get a few years out of it I would consider it worth it. If it acts up again I will just unplug it.

[exbass94]

It depends. It may have gotten low because of a leak, so if you don't fix the leak and just recharge it, it could all leak out again within a week. Or it could last you 10 years. Can't really say. Even if it's not leaking, it may start to leak within a few months for something totally unrelated, and it would cost another couple $100 to recharge again. That's why I would just bite the bullet and convert to R134a right now.