Noticed that my electric fan (85 S) does not turn on when A/C is turned on, although I know the fan works because I jumped the wires before the switch and the fan worked. I had the charged the A/C recently.

Does any know if when you replace the switch if there is some sort of valve that will keep the charge in the line? Or will it bleed out if I replace the switch?

Thanks

 

The pressure sensor on the later cars (S4+) screws on to a Schraeder valve that's part of the receiver/drier plumbing. That Schraeder valve will close when the sensor is removed, allowing the switch to be changed without losing the gas charge. Yours is probably the same.

I did a mini-service last week on the AC in my former ex 'spare' Subaru that the baby bro' now drives. Vacuumed, charged, checked for leaks, pulled the hoses off. Found the high-side Schraeder valve leaking. Hmmm... Changed both valves under pressure, using the finger-over-the-hole sealing method during the swap. Only lost a few ounces of gas.

 

You might consider disconnecting the high pressure refrigerant switch at the top of the receiver/drier. Then add a relay to turn on the fan whenever the a/c is turned on. Search my old post for specific details. Takes about an hour and you don't have to touch the freon.

 

Thanks guys.