I installed a new compressor, dryer, and expansion valve; cleared the B1419 Electromagnetic Clutch code; pulled a vacuum; started the car; added a few ounces of R134, the gauge quickly read 48 lbs on the low side but the compressor never started to work. 48 lbs on the high side.
The wire to the compressor is connected as are the wires on the dryer switches. The compressor wire has 6 volts with the key on and the dryer wires read 5 volts. The EC light on the control panel is not lit.
What have I missed?

(I did notice the fans turning very slowly but once the car got to temp they came on much faster)

__________________
1999 E300 TD
1999 E300 TD, WVO conversion
2007 Jaguar XJ8
1993 190E 2.3, Limited Edition, 239,000 miles (sold)
1991 300 SL (sold)
1977 MGB
1969 TR6
1980 TR8
joturbe@comcast.net

You have hit all the easy stuff and gave great details of what you have done.

A digital volt meter can read stray voltage that goes away once a load is applied so the readings just show that the wire isn't broken.

Do you have a wiring diagram?.

Did you apply power to the clutch to check engagement? When selecting clutch wires, be aware the compressor probably has a RPM sensor that detects clutch slip so applying 12V there would damage the sensor.

Check for codes again. The B1419 code is a real ***** because the clutch coil has a built in thermal fuse that likes to fail quite easily. If B1419 appears again, check the resistance across the clutch coil. It should be around 4ohm. Infinite resistance means the thermal fuse blew again.

Also I'm not sure 48psi is enough to engage the coil. I think it needs to be around 7 bar.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

It was the pushbutton controller. Swapped it out and the compressor started right up. Took anther voltage reading with the replacement and it was 7.19 volts to the compressor wire.
The slowly rotating condenser fans (like 5 rpm) was a strange sign that something was wrong. They don't normally start spinning until the high side reaches 225-230 psi on the high side manifold gauge and then they are spinning fast, never that slow. Once the new controller was installed they didn't start spinning at all until the 2nd can was flowing in and the high side psi gauge hit 225.

tjs1--since the compressor was not turning a 12 ounce can of R134 would never be able to get to 7 bar or 101 psi using a manifold gauge. I think the compressor would have started between 20-30 psi if my controller had been working.

John

__________________
1999 E300 TD
1999 E300 TD, WVO conversion
2007 Jaguar XJ8
1993 190E 2.3, Limited Edition, 239,000 miles (sold)
1991 300 SL (sold)
1977 MGB
1969 TR6
1980 TR8
joturbe@comcast.net

Oh yes you can...but I don't recommend it. Heating the can to 100F (immerse can in 100F water) will push the pressure up to a little over 100psi. The real question is whether or not the can stays together (think 'grenade'). I've had R-12 'pounders' vent sitting in the car on a hot sunny day in west Texas.

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