[BryanH]

I just recently acquired a 2001 Outback. The A/C is not working. I saw that the clutch was not engaging so ran a wire directly from battery to test and it works fine. Swapped out the relay and the fuse with ones I knew were working, didn't help. Noticed I couldn't feel the relay click. Could it be a problem further up like in the switch on the dash? Is there another fuse there? Anyone had a similar problem?

 

[plain OM]

The fuse should be #17 in the in-cabin fuse box. It's 15 Amps, I believe.

Attached is a diagram of the relay holder for the 2002, but it should be the same. The AC relay slot would be the one with the numbers 9 through 12. With the relay removed, the AC and heater controls OFF, and the ignition switch at ON (but engine need not be started), there should be 12V at pins 10, and 11.

If there's 12V at pin 10, but not at pin 11, it confirms that the fuse is good, but there's a chance the pressure switch is open. (It's between the fuse and the relay pin 11.) I'm not sure, but I believe the pressure switch will go open if the refrigerant charge is too low. If the switch is open, the relay won't function. Low refrigerant is not uncommon.

If there is 12 V at the two pins, then the problem is elsewhere, but perhaps start with checking for the voltages.

 

[avk]

It's probably not working because it's empty and the pressure switch is tripped.