I have a 1972 Skylark Convertible with AC. I had the heater on for the first time in a while...after driving for 10-15 minutes with the heater on, I heard a screeching sound like a train slamming on the brakes...I also smelled kind of a burning. When I turned off the heat it stopped and everything on the car ran fine. On the drive home I tried it again...it worked fine for a bit, then the screeching/smell again. If I turned off the heat it would stop. If turned the heat back on, it would happen again. This was a couple days ago, and I haven't turned the heat on since, and my car is driving fine. Any suggestions?
Sounds like the blower motor is on its way out. Not much fun the swap out in an A-body, either, I'm afraid. Devon
That does sound like the blower motor, not too bad of a switch, but you will have to take off the fender.
Id have to check to see if the 72 does this, but..... Generally, some A/C systems cycle the AC compressor to dry the air before heating it. If your compressor is locked up, the belt would screech and smell like it was on fire. Could be its only on newer vehicles, but maybe worth a look...
So thanks for your help, guys. I think I diagnosed my problem, and I am more than a little embarrassed by it. My climate control was on warm, but my selector switch was on AC. I switched it to HEATER, and now everything's working as expected. Yep, I'm an idiot. Thanks again.
you may wish to disconnect the AC coil that pulls in the plate to engage the compressor to keep it from happening again. It's the plug up near the front (belt) of the compressor.
