Last summer my mom's estate willed me my Dad's 1978 280Z which he dearly loved. It was put in our barn in Michigan in June of 1983 when he became critically ill. The car has ~79,000 miles. Except for the bumpers, wheels and some reasonable engine aging the car looks new. Every singe switch, dial, instrument works. The interior is pristine. Now comes the bad news. I had the car mechanically gone over, repainted (original DAtsun orange (110) and shipped to me in Florida. The A/C doesn't work. I discovered that the pressure switch has retired (like me) and there just isn't one to be had.
So I come to the folks who have either already solved this issue or know where I can get a surrogate pressure switch.
BTW, the last resort alternative is to wire around the swithc but then you have defeated the purpose of the switch. I don't know what the probablity of catastrophy is w/o the switch but....
Oh, once I have the new wheels, and the bumpers rechromed (that's being done in Melbourne, FL and there is a 2 month waiting list) I will post pix of the car.
Any help will be deeply appreciated.
Don Stiver
donstiver@eartlink.net

 

A hot wired pressure switch will cause the whole system to fail and damage the compressor. If it is showing signs of low pressure due to not enough freon you can buy a coversion kit from Walmart with freon (R34) for $40. It has a gauge with it so you can test for loss after a week or so. If ou have a leak you will have to have the work done by a pro. If the leak is under the dash it's going to cost alot.
I bought the kit but one of the fittings has to be drilled out for more clearance otherwise the freon will leak from there.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

^^^ 2nd on the nix for switch override. Have you checked your local junk yards? or www.car-parts.com ?

 

Thanks guys. I have run this to ground I think. The switch is a high pressure switch attached by fitting to the reciever/dryer. I attach a pic if I knew how to insert into these forums. I found the part number and talked with a couple of "Z" club guys who have a track record in this area. I'll use the work around and keep an eye open for a switch. It's somewhat disappointing in that the car is just as my dad parked in in June of 1983 and ever single item works except the pressure switch. When I get the bumpers back from the chrome shop I'll figure out how to post the pics and then do so of the finished product.
Thanks again,
Don

 

i am not sure yet but i might be pulling the a/c from my car. Even though it has 3 cans of R12 in it as of last year.

 

I think I have managed to attach a jpeg of the offending pressure switch. It is at the apex of the copper linesatop the reciever/dryer and has a disconnected pin plug connected to it.
Thanks,
Don

 

I'm pretty sure that switch turns on/off the clutch. If your compressor is turning then the system is to weak to build enough pressure to make the switch open and dissengage the clutch.