A/C Problem (2011 Chevy Aveo5)

[Hey]

A couple of weeks ago, I installed a brand-new compressor. A vacuum was done, and there were no leaks. A recharge was done, and I had cold air for two weeks. A few days ago, once home and parked, I restarted the vehicle to park somewhere else, and there was no A/C. I noticed the green a/c button inside, and the two other buttons next to it will not turn on. Are these buttons the problem? Has anyone else encountered this issue? What could the problem be?

[Ajax]

Did you check if the compressor is engaging when you press the button?

[Hey]

The compressor does not engage when I press the button. Keep in mind that I have checked the pressure reading, and it is holding. I have also looked around for any signs of leaks, and nothing. I don't smell any freon in the cabin, either, so the condenser evaporator should be okay. I found the high-pressure switch. Do you, by chance, know where the low-pressure switch would be located?

[Ajax]

Why do you suspect the low pressure switch? This seems to be an electrical problem, since the compressor is not engaging. I would start checking from the compressor to the cabin. Check if you can give power to the compressor bypassing the fuse, and check from there backwards. From what you mention, I believe there should be a problem with the button in the cabin itself, but I would definitely check everything electrical, from the compressor all the way to the cabin.

[Hey]

Why do you suspect the low pressure switch? This seems to be an electrical problem, since the compressor is not engaging. I would start checking from the compressor to the cabin. Check if you can give power to the compressor bypassing the fuse, and check from there backwards. From what you mention, I believe there should be a problem with the button in the cabin itself, but I would definitely check everything electrical, from the compressor all the way to the cabin.

Okay, so today, I swapped fuses in the engine bay. The compressor does not turn on. I double-checked the R-134 pressure, and all is well. However, I did place a paperclip in the AC fuse, and the compressor engaged. There was cold air coming out of the cabin. So yes, it may be the buttons themselves (AC, cabin air, and defrost buttons). These buttons aren't working. I searched on the forum here and found someone with the very same problem years ago. A solution for him was to add r-134. Of course, that wouldn't have worked since he stated the button itself (AC button) was not turning on, and neither were the other two next to it. Are there any fuses for these buttons? If so, where and what ones? Also, would it be ok to have my compressor running like this for now since it's so hot?

[Ajax]

Okay, so today, I swapped fuses in the engine bay. The compressor does not turn on. I double-checked the R-134 pressure, and all is well. However, I did place a paperclip in the AC fuse, and the compressor engaged. There was cold air coming out of the cabin. So yes, it may be the buttons themselves (AC, cabin air, and defrost buttons). These buttons aren't working. I searched on the forum here and found someone with the very same problem years ago. A solution for him was to add r-134. Of course, that wouldn't have worked since he stated the button itself (AC button) was not turning on, and neither were the other two next to it. Are there any fuses for these buttons? If so, where and what ones? Also, would it be ok to have my compressor running like this for now since it's so hot?

I don't think I follow. You bypassed the fuse and it worked? Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse? If the AC buttons have a fuse (unlikely) it would be in the cabin, in the left. There is a fuse box when you open the driver's door. Check there and there should be a sticker saying if there is a fuse for those buttons.

[Hey]

I don't think I follow. You bypassed the fuse and it worked? Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse? If the AC buttons have a fuse (unlikely) it would be in the cabin, in the left. There is a fuse box when you open the driver's door. Check there and there should be a sticker saying if there is a fuse for those buttons.

"You bypassed the fuse and it worked? Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse?" Yes, I bypassed the fuse with a paperclip and it worked.

"Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse?" Normally yes. I swapped out two other fuses with this one, and the AC light, cabin air, and defrost still wouldn't work.

I checked the fuses in the cabin and engine bay, and nothing was attached to these buttons. As I said prior, someone else on this forum had the same issue, but it looks like there was no resolution. I did get on YouTube, and I saw a guy stating that the ignition was the power to these buttons, but I'm not sure if it is accurate for my 2011 Aveo5. Do you have any other suggestions?

[Ajax]

"You bypassed the fuse and it worked? Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse?" Yes, I bypassed the fuse with a paperclip and it worked.

"Shouldn't that mean the culprit is the fuse?" Normally yes. I swapped out two other fuses with this one, and the AC light, cabin air, and defrost still wouldn't work.

I checked the fuses in the cabin and engine bay, and nothing was attached to these buttons. As I said prior, someone else on this forum had the same issue, but it looks like there was no resolution. I did get on YouTube, and I saw a guy stating that the ignition was the power to these buttons, but I'm not sure if it is accurate for my 2011 Aveo5. Do you have any other suggestions?

So just to confirm, you bypassed the fuse, everything worked. You try other fuses and it doesn't? What are the amps for this new fuses?

Another thing, probably a stupid question, is your fan turned on when you press the AC button? I noticed my ac light doesn't come on unless my fan is at speed 1. So basically, I believe that the fan control is also linked in series with the AC button. Make sure your fan is on. If that doesn't do it, you're probably gonna have to lift up the panels and check the wires for continuity. Also, for shorts. If your fuses are being blown by the AC system, you have a short somewhere. And by the way, using the AC system bypassing the fuse is NOT recommended. If there is actually a short somewhere, you're gonna cause an overload and probably burn the compressor or other components, so don't do that.

Edit: you don't necessarily have a short, but you could also have a component drawing more power than it should. So, check for shorts, if there are none, you should check how many amps your components are taking.

[Eg.h2o]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTgWyMYBpB4
possibly your a/con relay?

FYI, if you have your HVAC set to defroster your AC automatically comes on even if you don’t have the ac button pressed. Make sure that happens. If the ac comes on then, I would look at either the switch in the dash, or wiring from the switches to the fuse box.

[Hey]

I figured out what the problem was. Inside the vehicle fuse box, the mirror fuse was blown. I replaced it, and now the mirrors and AC, air circulation, and de-frost buttons work again. Weird, huh? The fuse that reads mirrors is also attached to those buttons. This should definitely be archived for someone down the line.