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Topic: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question (Read 456 times) previous topic - next topic
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Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
My dash air does not work. The freon leaks and it wont engage with the clutch. When I try to turn it on only the defrost blows but not cold air. The other vents do not blow at all. I had it at a shop and they did not seem like they wanted to tackle it. They did say it was an after market air conditioner and that they could not find out what brand it is. I was wondering if anyone else dash looks like this? I am wondering especially about the 2 knobs.........
1984 Chevy 30 TK Hotel California
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Teresa  - 
I was wondering if anyone else dash looks like this? I am wondering especially about the 2 knobs.........

This is what our old 1983 22' FL looked like.


The A/C was a dealer installed add-on. Our LD had a combination A/C condenser and transmission cooler (in one body) added when the A/C was installed.
Never had any problems getting parts for it, most, maybe all,  were the same parts used on OEM A/Cs.
They probably don't want to get involved with an old system that used R12 refrigerant. It will need to be converted to R134, if it hasn't already been done.

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #2 –
For some reason I cant blow up your picture to see if you have the same knobs as I do? My eyes are crud too
1984 Chevy 30 TK Hotel California
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Teresa  - 
For some reason I cant blow up your picture to see if you have the same knobs as I do? My eyes are crud too
'

Try this.
5.5 | lw5315us | Flickr

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #4 –
That vintage G-30 cutaway did not offer a condenser coil unit that included the auxiliary tranny cooler with the oem air conditioning, which is why LD opted to use an aftermarket unit. The two knobs are fan speed and temperature. The system co-opts the dash vents, which are not used with heater/defroster circulation. Fresh air ventilation is with the footwell valves.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #5 –
omg Steve is that English? haha I do not speak the language well. Are you saying LD added on the aftermarket air conditioner that is on my dash? If so, then I could call them about this?
1984 Chevy 30 TK Hotel California
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #6 –
I remember after market AC systems in the 70's.. and the aftermarket add ins that hung under the dash of cars. I even put one in a 71 Pinto.  Recently, I found manuafcturers of after market AC systems for Hot Rods in the restoration market. Try looking there.  You will likely have to install a separate auxillary transmission cooler and a separate AC condenser.  

Now the hard parts are; finding the right person to do it, finding the patience to wait for them to recieve the parts, finding the patience to wait for the shop to finish, and having the  money to pay for it. 

The patience with the shop, is that the current economy is so good they are having problems finding good  and reliable  employees.  My 1988 MB has been in the shop for 3 months this summer, reliable employees was half their issue,and the need work was the other half.  I wanted the owner and the "Grandpa" to do the work.  The kids don't know these computerized modern classics!

Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #7 –
It's not just the roaring economy that's effecting employment, but the service backlog for all the RVs sold over the last few years.

I drove by M Thompson the other day, and I swear they had something like 20+ RVs (most class A) jammed front-to-back in the service check-in lanes.

My own shop was slammed hard this summer. It's gotten to the point where you have to call and check on availability.

You throw in obsolete, hard, difficult repair issues, and the normal reaction will be "who needs it"? Part of the deal with selling Thor is that they will provide the necessary tech support for current models. That means major dealers are enabled to work through the S&M requirements ie computers diagnosis, etc.

So it's a gravy train for the majors. Someone comes in with a POS Thor class A, and the owners are literally up sh!t creek with no other options. A few experiences like that, and it's easy to see the classic 2 year RV buy-use-abandon cycle in full swing.
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #8 –
Good help is hard to find........... been hearing that one since I was a child. Yes it is still true. I do have an appt in June 2019 at the mothership to go over my find. I think I could hold out on dash air until then if they are the ones who installed it.
1984 Chevy 30 TK Hotel California
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Teresa  - 
omg Steve is that English? haha I do not speak the language well. Are you saying LD added on the aftermarket air conditioner that is on my dash? If so, then I could call them about this?

The A/C was not Factory installed, LD had it done, probably by the local dealer.
Assuming it is the same as our 1983 LD, it is a textbook simple A/C system, I'm puzzled why an A/C shop doesn't want to figure it out or at least give it shot.

Part of the issue is that it is probably filled with R12 refrigerant and needs to be converted to R134A, the modern replacement.
R12 was outlawed many years ago and is no longer available.
Availability of parts is another problem, a lot has changed in the last 34 years and it could be real hassle chasing down obsolete parts, if they even exist.
With shop time at over a $100 an hour, a lot dollars could be spent in just investigating the issues and trying to find parts.

As I have said so many times, ancient LDs are best bought by mechanically gifted types who have plenty of spare time and want a challenge.
My best suggestion is to find the oldest automotive A/C mechanic out there.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dash air conditioner heater 1984 question
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
The A/C was not Factory installed, LD had it done, probably by the local dealer.
Assuming it is the same as our 1983 LD, it is a textbook simple A/C system, I'm puzzled why an A/C shop doesn't want to figure it out or at least give it shot.
Part of the issue is that it is probably filled with R12 refrigerant and needs to be converted to R134A, the modern replacement.
R12 was outlawed many years ago and is no longer available.
Availability of parts is another problem, a lot has changed in the last 34 years and it could be real hassle chasing down obsolete parts, if they even exist. 

It was an auto mechanic place, not an AC specialist. They said changing out the R12 would not be a problem but they could not find out who the manufacture of the system was. Honestly Larry, they had just finished a big job on my RV and I think they were just done and didnt want to mess with it anymore.

Quote from: Larry W  - 
As I have said so many times, ancient LDs are best bought by mechanically gifted types who have plenty of spare time and want a challenge.
My best suggestion is to find the oldest automotive A/C mechanic out there. 

Yes and you were one of the wise people telling me to stay clear of an older LD. I know you are right, but you know what happens when a girl gets her heart invested.............

1984 Chevy 30 TK Hotel California