This has been a useful thread. My AC was working fine until this year. Turned on the AC a month ago and no noticeable cooling. Checked pressures w/ gage set, had something like 55 at rest (correct for charged system), 50/60 w/ compressor engaged. Also noted that when compressor engaged, the engine didn't 'load down' at all. The compressor was simply not pumping any useful volume of R134. Searching the forum turns up info on the RCV and its failure mode. A new $20 RCV was ordered from an ebay vendor (may have been a tactical error). When the compressor was opened up, it was spotlessly clean inside. RCV was replaced, system recharged, and exact same result. No compressor pumping. Clutch engages, fans run, but no big pressure differential.
Fine, time to order a new Behr compressor from AutohausAZ. Get the expensive genuine OEM Behr compressor, only to find it is a generic chinese replacement. Oh well, it's bought, hafta install it. Install compressor, evac & charge system.... no AC. What The Frack!
Turns out to have a dead short in the clutch coil, blows the fuse as soon as button is pushed. Now I have to evac the 134, remove new compressor, install old compressor (as a serp belt idler), return new compressor, buy a genuine Japanese Sanden compressor from worldpac.
My small contribution to this thread is:
Do buy the RCV from a reputable vendor with a history of successful sales.
Don't buy a chinese compressor.