If the unit cools when it is hot-wired, look for a bad a/c relay.
The A/C Compressor may not be charged with frion if the A/C Clutch does engage, or it may not engage due to fact it's not sending 12v to the electronic wiring. First start the engine and turn on the A/C, watch if the clutch on the compressor engages or not.
An air conditioner clutch will not engage without voltage. If it doesn't engage, the compressor will not turn.
The a/c clutch will not engage and the compressor will not come on.............
thats the relay to engage the a/c compressor clutch
The clutch receives it's signal to engage from a pressure switch in the system. If there is insufficient refrigerant in the system the pressure switch will not close resulting in no power at the compressor clutch to make it engage.
What specific kind of vehicle do you have? It does sound like the clutch may be bad, but we also need to know what you are working on. You need to run power straight from the battery to the compressor. If is still does not engage then you need to replace the compressor and clutch, they are dead. If they do engage, then you have a wiring or computer issue.
When not engaged, the wheel spins freely. When the low pressure switch closes, it closes the electrical circuit to the compressor clutch. This actuates an electromagnet, which pulls the clutch in to engage it.
You don't need to engage the compressor clutch to recharge the system. In fact, you shouldn't engage it without refrigerant and oil in it, because the refrigerant carries the compressor oil in order to lubricate the compressor. But, to answer your question, you disconnect the low pressure switch, and run a jumper wire between the two female ends of the connector.
Do you mean that the AC clutch does not engage the compressor? Or do you mean that the AC compressor won't turn even if the clutch is engaged? If the compressor is siezed and will not turn even if the clutch is engaged, the only choice is to replace the compressor. If you can turn the compressor by hand (understand that the belt pulley will turn freely with the engine if the clutch isn't engaged) but the compressor clutch isn't engaging, it might just be out of refrigerant. There is a sensor, usually somewhere near the receiver/dryer) that detects the "low side" refrigerant pressure. Once the refrigerant pressure at the sensor drops below a specified level, the compressor will not turn on. In other words, if the compressor clutch won't engage it might just be out of refrigerant.
Most automotive AC compressors use a cycling clutch compressor, where the clutch is engaged by pressure switches which will engage the compressor clutch when the pressure reaches a predetermined low level, and disengages it when it reaches a predetermined high pressure.
It's the low pressure switch. Check the compressor wiring and be sure it is grounding. Sometimes the clutch gap gets alittle wide and has to be regapped.
This happens to keep the fluid in the compressor viable. If it sits too long, it can become unusable.