73 Cavalier CSS-8-64J Icing Up

[Witchboard]

Got back from vacation and my Cavalier iced up so bad the fan sounded like it was being hit.  Turned it to off and let it thaw out.  Turned it to 1, and the compressor kicks on, but never seems to turn off.  I can turn it back off, set it to one, it sits there for a few minutes, then kicks back on and doesn't shut off.  It's been working trouble free for years, so not sure what's going on.  I'll bust out the manual and see what I can find out, but thought I'd hit up you guys and see if anything springs to mind.  I'm hoping it's not due to refrigerant being low as I'm not sure if I can even have somebody charge the system anymore and if it's low, that means there's a leak.

[johnieG]

If the whole evaporator coil was iced over it certainly isn't low of refrigerant, a stuck Thermostat will cause the symptoms you've described.

[Witchboard]

Thanks johnie.  I'll search the forum for how to deal with a stuck thermostat.  This thing has been running strong for so many years, I've just been using it and never working on it.  Forgot everything I had learned when I first got it and fixed it all up. 

[johnieG]

Best to just replace it... less aggravation in the long run 

[Witchboard]

Best to just replace it... less aggravation in the long run 

Agreed.  Just have to tear it apart and verify which thermostat I need.

[MoonDawg]

Call either sodajerkworks or Funtronics and they will know which thermostat you need.

[Witchboard]

Thanks MoonDawg.  I'll check 'em out.  Only other thing I've had to buy for this was a gate solenoid, but I can't recall where I bought it.

[Witchboard]

Took this quick video for posterity.

https://youtu.be/2ZKPnp0BPqM