A/C knocked out by electrical problem?

Awl--

I have encountered a few cars whose A./C just stopped working
altogether--one occured after a horn repair, the other after a light fender
bender, the other intermittent on/off (when on, was fine), then just stayed
off

What part of the A/C is electrically controlled, besides the fan? An
electrical clutch? Anything else?
Pretty sure no broken belts are involved. Do some cars have a dedicated
belt just for the A/C?

Can a diy-er with a vom sleuth this out? Any tips?
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Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

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Proctologically Violated©® wrote:

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> What part of the A/C is electrically controlled, besides the fan? An
> electrical clutch? Anything else?

Interior fan, electric radiator/condesnor fans in some cases, and the
compressor clutch. Neweer cars have electrically operated blend doors in
the interior system too.

> Pretty sure no broken belts are involved. Do some cars have a dedicated
> belt just for the A/C?

Many do, many don't.


> Can a diy-er with a vom sleuth this out? Any tips?

Sure, same general rules as all electrical gremlins. Work back from the
device that should be working (but isn't) until you find the bad
connection. Its complicated when auto climate control is involved
because the computer may not be telling the compressor clutch to engage,
even though the button is pushed.