John,

    If it is not your thermostat then it  seems it is time for your unit to
be serviced, after a few years of use moisture tends to accumulate with your
refrigerant and this moisture can freeze at the expansion valve thereby
blocking the whole system. A thermostat is not expensive so better deal with
it first.

Steven
82 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: John Dorn <jrdorn@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 10:49 PM
Subject: AC Freezing/Not working

> Hi there,
>
> This is not just a vanagon question but the problem is the same in both
> vehicles, noticed mostly in my quantum syncro.  When I use the AC I get
> mixed results.  If I turn it on and it works right away it will then
> freeze up the evaporator in about 25 minutes and then will slowly
> decline in quality until I just give up and shut it off.  The other
> occurrence is that I get in the car and turn on the AC and nothing
> happens, I keep driving, nothing happens.  Sometimes it will take up to
> 15 or 20 minutes and then suddenly it will start blowing cold air only
> to then act as it does in first situation (freezing).
>
> So, what should I do first?  My first instinct is the evaporator
> thermostat (the switch with the capillary tube), could it be something
> else?  I really need some help, some of these parts are very expensive
> so I don't want to just try replacing things, which is basically the
> suggestion I got from a local shop.
>
> Thanks for your help
> John