Miata AC Diagnostics (WIP)

I parked the Miata all summer while interning in California. The first drive after flying home revealed a dead AC system—no clutch engagement and nothing but warm air at the vents. This entry tracks the ongoing diagnostic steps toward a fix.

Initial Observations

• Blower works across all speeds but the compressor clutch never pulls in.
• Fuses and relays test good; jumping the relay directly engages the clutch, suggesting a control issue upstream.
• Static pressure reads only 10 psi, so a refrigerant leak may be the root cause.

Next Actions

• UV dye/blacklight inspection to look for leaks around the condenser and evaporator drain.
• Test continuity across the low-pressure switch and the evaporator thermistor.
• Plan a full vacuum/recharge once the leak source is resolved.

Photo Placeholders

• ![Relay jump test](assets/img/posts/2025-09-24-mx5-ac-diagnosis/relay-jump.jpg)
• ![Low static pressure reading](assets/img/posts/2025-09-24-mx5-ac-diagnosis/low-pressure.jpg)

Update this post with findings and photos as the repair progresses.