Chrysler Master Tech - 1954, Volume 7-7 Airtemp Car Air Conditioning Chrysler is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC. Master Tech series training manuals and videos are the property of Chrysler LLC. MyMopar.com
My uncle had a 1954 Chrysler New York De Luxe with AC. It cooled quite well in the hot Kansas summers. Air Conditioned cars began to sell well where I lived.
I can usually sit through many of these older instructionals. I couldn't do it... had to check out. Props to the techs that made it through back in the day.
A bit more mechanically complex than modern systems. Did the compressor turn all the time? Electronics now control temperature and an orifice replaced that expansion valve?
They're going back to expansion valves, just electronically controlled. For fuel efficiency purposes, but also because heat pumps are increasingly being used in EVs and it helps optimize for the different temps/pressure in heat vs AC.
I wonder how many cars had A/C in 1954 and just how much was this as an installed option? Must say, though, this is fun to watch to see just how far we have come with car A/C. From a system that was stem to stern to now fully under the hood, we've come quite a way.
It was an expensive option , equal to about 1/3 the price of the car ! They could only use it on 12 volt cars and less than 1/2 the cars made in 1954 were 12 volt., so it was only in the high priced cars back then.
It would depend on the car maker, Nash-kelvinator soon be AMC had under dash a/c systems in the 1940's at a cost of around $300.00, while other makers were putting them in the truck like this one and charging upwards of $900.00. Leave to a refrigerator maker slash compact car company to figure cheap and effective automotive A/C units very similar to what's in cars today.
Many cars still had 6-Volt electrical systems. Most, if not all 6-Volt systems were positive ground. When they went to 12-Volt systems, they switched to negative ground. I've read that 24-Volt systems may not be too far off...
Except for the guy with the gravely voice (which was kinda creepy), this is a very informative video! I wonder if any of those troubleshooting scenarios would work on my 2009 Mercury.. the a/c konked out about 5 years ago and no one seems to know what's wrong with it... and replacing it would be well over $1k.. no thanks!
If the gas has been gone for a long time, all the seals and o-rings everywhere require replacement prior to getting it running again as they are nourished by the gas and when it leaks away they shrink and become dry and brittle. The same applies if the gas is left low for a long time. the system gets used to the lower pressure and when you charge it back up to full pressure, the weakest link blows, then the next weakest link, then the next and the next and on and on until you have spent many thousands of dollars! Cheaper to have the whole system renewed at the same time. It's a shame we can't do with car air conditioning that which we do with fridges when they break, and just throw them away and get a new one!
jalapenochomper The funny voice belongs to “Tech,” the little puppet you see in the filmstrip. I don’t know the whole story, but I think he was a sort of Mopar mascot, who appeared throughout the Chrysler Corporation’s training materials.
These older systems were easier to service , they were nicely spread throughout car. In 1957 they switched to the under the dash modular AC systems that cost lest to manufacture. The under the dash system lowered the option price , but causes a jam pack service problem for us mechanics. A mini van is a mechanics and customers worst nightmere , often to replace the evaporator the cost starts at $1500 and can go up to $3000 if only a few of the other AC parts are shot.! Also the EPA and over population caused dictator politicians to force them to use new kinds of freon, with gay molecules of less pollution !
Just more CORRUPT Big Business Lobbyist bullshit!!! In the 80's, Cars were DESIGNED to have easier Freon leaks, making the sell easier to Congress in the 90's. I'm a Retired Auto Mechanic, old A/C systems before 81 RARELY EVER LEAKED.
