Since you guys are talking about R12 A/C performance in hot southern climate. Hope you guys don't mind if I jump in with these unsual experience on both my 87 300SDL and 91 300D. It happened to me twice on my SDL and once on my 300D.
This happen once on my SDL, it was parked under the sun for a while and it started pouring. I got into my car and started it up, drove for about 10 minutes and the A/C compressor got cut off. blower was working but there wasn't any cold air. the dial was set on 70°F and the outside temperature was about 85°F. I pulled over at a gas station, checked on all connections and fuses(with engine running). I didn't see anything wrong. So I keep on driving until I got to my destination and turned it off. about 20 minutes later I got back, startedit up and it went back to normal...
these happened to both SDL and 300D while driving on the (sunny side 85°F+) of freeway and I got got into a rainny area. A/C Compressor got cut off in the rain .... Again, parked for a little while, restarted and nothing happened. I'm wondering if this is the outside temp sensor having problem with certain quick drop in temperature??
Larry, Richard & Steve you guys are in the south. Have any one of you experienced this problem?
thanks!