hello, I'm installing an 01 5.2 mag. in an old dart. shouldn't the two wires out of the compressor be a hot and ground? both wires show continuity to ground, and I know that cant be right. not going through the computer, just want to hook to dart a/c system. thanks, dave.

 

Download the service manual here. Probably has the wiring diagram. Welcome to the forum.

 

Power for the compressor is supplied by a relay. The pressure switches clue in the PCM that things are "OK", and the PCM trips the relay. Are you using the FI?

 

yes am using the original fi, but only the relays needed to run the engine. I need to use the darts a/c to power the pump. all the comp. i've ever seen is engaged by a magnet which should be a positive and negative wire. dave.

 

On the pre-computer cars, the clutch wiring was powered by the heater controls, went thru the two pressure switches, and then to the compressor clutch. (and then it just ran off to a ground somewhere. You could probably do something similar without too much trouble... but.... one of the reasons that PCM is "aware" of the a/c system, (and controls it...) is so it can bump idle when the a/c is engaged. Otherwise, run run the risk of stalling at stops when the compressor is engaged.

Did you also use the Power Distribution Box from the truck?

 

yes used the distribution box, but removed all wires not needed. car has a classic auto air system, so is not fact. air. what gets me is both wires seem to be tied together. you can hook 12v to either wire, and the other will read 12v also. with a meter I have continuity between pump case and ground, but none between ground and either wire. has to have a ground to the magnet somehow. could be the clutch went out, but worked last summer. dave.

 

Test resistance across the clutch coil. See what ya get. (should not be open, don't know what the exact number is.....)

Are you getting power TO the compressor??

 

running power straight from batt. for test purposes. two wires going to clutch. both wires are connected together somewhere in the coil it seems. will not engage with ground to case and power to either wire, even tied them together and nothing. ground to black wire, and power to black and white wire, dead short. same thing other way around.

 

Time for a new clutch methinks.