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2G Is my ac compressor gone?

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randizzle420

15+ Year Contributor
250
25
Sep 20, 2009
El Centro, California
Just bought this 95 gsx 5 speed. I found this plug that wasn't connected to anything and can't find a compressor. Is it gone? How much would it cost to have this reinstalled? Does the engine have to be removed to install it. Here's some pictures. Unfortunately has a lot of issues and might be getting rid of it.

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No, you don't really "need" to pull the engine out to install the compressor, although it would be easier. The easiest way to install a compressor would be to remove the intake manifold and drop the compressor down from there. You'll have to wiggle it around a little to get it to seat right. The bolts that hold it on are a bit long and the bottom 2 bolts are going to be the problem ones due to the subframe being in the way. So disconnect the driver side engine mount and the rear roll-stop mount, with a jack under the engine or a crane supporting it from the top, and lift the engine enough to slip the bolts in and tighten them.
 
Welcome to DSM ownership. Previous owners have likely removed and discarded all manner of parts, used wrong fasteners, bad mods... the list is almost endless. Not to discourage you, but do know what you may be in for. You might find other reasons that would favor pulling the motor, so before you take pains to fix one thing, get a good understanding of what else may need fixing or maintaining. Do all the basics and note when something seems screwy. Folks on this site are amazingly helpful when you post a question with as much info as you can. Create your vehicle profile, and read through all the newbie stuff, even if you are an experienced wrench. DSM has some specific traits.

Most of the a/c items can be obtained new. I suggest Rockauto, but I live in the sticks and our local parts stores actually take longer to get anything (and are less helpful). If you live an a populated area, maybe local is better. Check the classifieds on this site a week ago or so, someone was practically giving away the lines and condenser. Perhaps they also had the compressor. Make sure you have the evaporator unit in the cabin. I agree with the need for a/c if you like to enjoy your car in the real world when the sun is shining. Till then, drive on cool nights!
 
Called a shop and they want 2800 to install a new one. I posted an ad in classifieds to hopefully find a used one so I'm not spending a fortunate just to get air conditioning
 
I doubt it. Likely they are discontinued for OEM as well. You may also need the tensioner bracket. Check performancepartout.com. If it says out of stock, perhaps call them. Most of those parts can also be sourced from a junk yard, umm, I mean “auto recycler”.
 
Welcome to DSM ownership. Previous owners have likely removed and discarded all manner of parts, used wrong fasteners, bad mods... the list is almost endless. Not to discourage you, but do know what you may be in for. You might find other reasons that would favor pulling the motor, so before you take pains to fix one thing, get a good understanding of what else may need fixing or maintaining. Do all the basics and note when something seems screwy. Folks on this site are amazingly helpful when you post a question with as much info as you can. Create your vehicle profile, and read through all the newbie stuff, even if you are an experienced wrench. DSM has some specific traits.

Most of the a/c items can be obtained new. I suggest Rockauto, but I live in the sticks and our local parts stores actually take longer to get anything (and are less helpful). If you live an a populated area, maybe local is better. Check the classifieds on this site a week ago or so, someone was practically giving away the lines and condenser. Perhaps they also had the compressor. Make sure you have the evaporator unit in the cabin. I agree with the need for a/c if you like to enjoy your car in the real world when the sun is shining. Till then, drive on cool nights!
How do I tell if the evaporator is still in the car? Can you see it without pulling the dash? I believe I still get heat and the air does blow when I turn it on. Also I looked for it on performance part out it's out of stock but it has a different part number for 95-96 and 97-99. Did the 97-99 use a different air conditioner system where I cant use it on my 95?
 
I would presume that you can tell if the evap (cooling unit) is in the car simply by looking under the pass side dash, it shouldn’t take pulling the dash. In my 1ga it is obvious where the refrigerant lines penetrate the firewall from the engine bay. If the fittings are there, the p/o Likely left it alone. What condition it is in could be harder to determine.
Can’t really speak to your second question, though My guess is they are similar but not interchangeable. 2g fans will know.
 
Look at the firewall under the hood. If the location the hardlines bolt up to on the firewall is there, that is the location of the inlet and outlet to the evap core as shown in my pic.

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I believe it's still there. Looks like a big black box under the dash. Is that the only line for ac that goes into the car? Right now, it seems the hardest things to find are the 95-96 compressor bracket, ac tensioner, and bracket for the condenser. I see these parts for sale at places but often no bolts included which makes the brackets useless. Idk I feel like I'm gonna have to go travel to junkyards across america to find a car with the ac system to pull.
 
Bolts should be obtainable, just length and threads are critical, and longer bolts can be cut down to fit. The brackets and such may take a little time to find, but they are likely to be in working condition, as compared to parts that wear out like door seals or Shift cables, or a multitude of things that cars are made of. Your goals seem very doable, don’t get discouraged. The lines seem like the linchpin to make it happen, so make those a priority.
 
Has anyone ordered from this place?https://www.mitsubishiparts.com/v-1...l-l4-gas/hvac--condenser-compressor-and-lines Looks like they have pretty much everything for the ac system. I'm a little confused about the compressor. Does it usually come with the pulley and temp sensor on it already if you buy one from a junkyard? The ac tensioner I'm not sure how to set it up. Anyone have a picture so I can figure out how to set up the ac compressor, ac bracket, and ac tensioner together? Feel like that's the most confusing thing right now to setup in the engine bay. Also not sure if my setup will be different because I have a 95 and 95-96 have a different intermediate shaft than 97-99s so I know my bracket is different. Not sure if anything else is different as well
 
I can’t remember if I tried to order from them, but many of those dealer sites show all kinds if parts as available until you place an order. I recommend you actually call them to confirm before deciding to place the order. Hopefully it’s fine and they have them all.
Btw, I did notice you can find the compressor mount bracket on ebay. I didn’t see the 2g tension pully assembly, but I would check with the seller of the mount bracket and see if they have one.
 
Since the compressor, lines, etc. are out, you might as well take advantage of this to clean everything up down there, as it looks like there's years of grime in that area and I'm guessing elsewhere. It'll not only look nicer but make it easier to properly install everything when you get the parts.

Btw, all my A/C parts are still there since I'm the original owner, but after nearly 29 years my A/C stopped putting out cold air recently. Worked great till this happened. All the belts are old and have to be replaced so maybe that's it, but is there a simple/easy way to tell if there's a refrigerant leak or the compressor is broken, or whatever else is wrong? Or do I need to take it to a shop given the sensitivity of working on an A/C system?
 
Since the compressor, lines, etc. are out, you might as well take advantage of this to clean everything up down there, as it looks like there's years of grime in that area and I'm guessing elsewhere. It'll not only look nicer but make it easier to properly install everything when you get the parts.

Btw, all my A/C parts are still there since I'm the original owner, but after nearly 29 years my A/C stopped putting out cold air recently. Worked great till this happened. All the belts are old and have to be replaced so maybe that's it, but is there a simple/easy way to tell if there's a refrigerant leak or the compressor is broken, or whatever else is wrong? Or do I need to take it to a shop given the sensitivity of working on an A/C system?
I'd check to see if it's low on refrigerant or if the compressor is still working. I had the clutch on my compressor not engaging and that stopped it from blowing cold air. Open the hood and listen to it without the ac on then turn it on and listen to see if your compressor is turning on. Usually you can hear it when it starts to work. Even on my 7.3 diesel with as loud as that engine is I could still hear the compressor when I turned the ac on
 
Does anyone know if the ac lines are the same for a 95-96 eclipse and 97-99s? I know the evaprator box and the compressor bracket are different. I was trying to see if I pulled the whole ac system out a 97-99 if it'll work on my 95? Will the lines from a 97-99 work on a 95-96 evaprator box because I know the 95-96s use a different box. Also do they use the same compressor?
 
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