A/C button won't release (pop out)

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

89LX (with A/C, of course, else I wouldn't have the A/C button).

The button won't pop out -- stuff in the pressed-in/ON position with its amber light on (but only when the fan speed selector knob is in other than most CCW position, of course).

Is this likely just a mechanical problem with the switch?


BTW, this car has factory AC, but the compressor was stolen some time back. I've located another compressor which I intend to install). However, I just notice in the past few weeks this strange behavior of the button. The compressor has ben gone for several years. I did recently have the engine compartment professional steam cleaned, but don't recall if that's exactly when the button problem appeared. Perhaps it's all just a big coincidence.

[Rick the Quick]

Sounds like a little WD40 might do the trick. Maybe the shoplifters had something to do with it. I bet they drove it like they stole it.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

RTQ,

That's an idea. But … since the button is also an electrical switch, I'm a bit nervous about shooting what amounts to oil into it. Perhaps electrical contact cleaner, which might have some lubrication properties to it.

Has anybody pulled one of these apart? Photos of innards?

Of course, I can remove the console bezel and the control panel containing the button, but I don't know how far it will come out, since it has several mechanical cables connected to it.

[Rick the Quick]

WD 40 is amazing stuff. I remember spraying it on distributors on wet engines to get them going. Way back in the days when cars still used points I remember spraying the cap inside and out and also the points when trying to start a wet engine. It worked every time. I would give the switch a quick shot of WD40. The switch may be tight around it's outside diameter of the button. Then again I understand your concern about it getting into the contacts. As they say in Latin : caveat emptor.
Not that anyone here speaks Latin. Actually I believe it translates as "buyer beware". I think you get the message though. If it f's up your switch, I never mentioned it. Good luck.....

[WmWatt]

WD-40 will not harm the AC button. It is a "water dispersant" which removes moisture but it is also a light penetrating oil which cleans and lubricates. Go ahead and use it. I use it on all things electrical.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

A few cycles of injecting WD-40 and "working" the switch freed it up!

I notice that the electric radiator fan goes on when the yellow light in the AC button goes on (assuming fan speed switch is not in its OFF position). Is that the way things are supposed to work? Remember, there's no compressor present, but all the rest of the AC system appears to be there.

[ryanprins13]

Yup, just how the relays work things out. Rad fan is always ...
Wait, lol. Im actually not sure if its supposed to go out when the compressor cycles off. Im sure itl all work fine when you get it operating

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Rick the Quick]

Sounds like it's working as it should. Another problem solved with WD40!