2001 Peterbilt 379 ac help please

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Trevor19, Jun 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM.

  1. Trevor19

    Trevor19 Bobtail Member

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    This may be silly enough. But is there a test for the ac on/off switch inside the truck to verify it’s getting power and sending power as requested. I’m trying to walk through the electrical process of the system.
     
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  3. bjytech

    bjytech Light Load Member

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    Oh I see, you have the later 01-05 panel. That would be your AC relay that is clicking, so control side is all good then (Pressure switches and control switch.)

    Somewhere between the relay and the compressor it's not getting power.
    I've even had more than one compressor with a bad clutch out of the box In the last few years.
    Check with a test light right at the compressor and see if it is getting power.
     
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  4. Star Rider

    Star Rider Road Train Member

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    Also check that one terminal where the relay plugs in is a key switch power. With the A/C turned off.
     
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  5. Trevor19

    Trevor19 Bobtail Member

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    I’ll grab a test light tomorrow, silly I have a multi meter but not one of those. I got the compressor from Peterbilt and it would really let me down with them if it was bad from the jump.

    I’m sure there’s a way, but is there a simple way to check a wire from point a to point b to try to see if it’s still good?
     
  6. Trevor19

    Trevor19 Bobtail Member

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    I’m not sure I’m following you on this one.
     
  7. Star Rider

    Star Rider Road Train Member

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    When you hit your A/C button it trips the relay, the relay then sends the key switch power out through the pressure switches and then to the compressor clutch.
     
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  8. Trevor19

    Trevor19 Bobtail Member

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    Small update is the fuse on bottom right for ac when checking, it the relay on the bottom left clicks. I checked the pins on that relay and got 14 volts from pins 30, 87a, and 85. Ac switch on or off I still got these pins as hot.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
  9. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Jump across the relay and see if the clutch kicks in. You can do it with the truck off, key on. It's easy to hear.

    I would agree, if the relay clicks when you turn the dash switch on, all switches and wiring to them checks out.

    On the earlier 379's, power from the relay went straight to the clutch, best I remember anyway.
     
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  10. Trevor19

    Trevor19 Bobtail Member

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    Which two pins am I jumping across. Sorry, still trying to learn this stuff.
     
  11. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Well crap, I ain't looked at a relay in a minute but IIRC 87 to 87a
     
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