A/C Compressor Wiring Short Question - 85 380SE W126

[gmercoleza]

My A/C quit working over the weekend. I jumpered the 2 pressure switches on/near the receiver dryer with no result. While checking the lines running to the compressor, I noticed one of them was barely hanging by a thread, and it eventually broke when I moved it. I soldered new female spade sockets onto the wires and plugged them in; everything is working great now and the A/C blows cold.

Question: The female spade sockets were not a perfect fit. I had to wedge a screwdriver into them and pry here and there to get them opened enough. I was able to get them to fit onto the compressor prongs, but had to "force" them with a pair of pliers and I'm still not comfortable with the fit (there is some wiggle room). I realize since the prongs are very close to each other, if one of the wires ever pops off and touches the other one, there's going to be a short. Will this take out my climate control unit, or burn a relay, or just blow a fuse?

I'd like to know the risk of serious damage - if need be I can get the "correct" ends from the dealer and solder them in.

[Pete Burton]

The compressor current runs through a relay, so the CCU is safe. Put a piece of shrink tubing over the +12V line, that will insulate fine even in the tight space. The R/D probably has 2 switches -a pressure switch that cuts out the compressor when the charge is too low, and a temperature switch that turns on the aux. cooling fan when the freon temp in the R/d goes over some value, like 52C.

[gmercoleza]

Thanks for the confirmation! Now I can rest at ease. Good call on the shrinkwrap - I'll have to pick some up next time I'm at Fry's.

With the regard to the switches, you are correct, jumpering the one on the top caused the aux fan to come on. Jumpering the other *appeared* to cause an extemely insignificant audible change in idle - so insignificant that I'm not sure it actually occurred...