What is the best way to begin troubleshooting an A/C system that no longer works? I don't know the first thing about vehicular air conditioning, or any other kind of air conditioning, for that matter. I want to say that the A/C had some sort of limited functionality a little over a year ago when I bought the truck. It would be really cool to get the A/C running (pun not intended), especially if it's not too expensive.

I really don't even know where to begin, and I would appreciate some advice on this matter.

Thanks in advance.

 

likely if it was working last year, the system has a leak, and now is too low on freon to make the compressor kick in.

FWIW, if it was mine, I would have all the connections re o-ringed, and have the system filled with R134a, I'll bet it would work.

I don't do A/c charging myself, just never have wanted to mess with it, so I have a mechanic friend of mine do all that for me.

Someone else should chime in too....

 

have you put gauges on it yet? if so, what pressures are you seeing?

 

leaks have got to be the most common AC problem. I would take Ians advice and get all your leaks fixed. this means an electronic refrigerant leak detector is going to be necessary. theyre expensive. but will find any leaks you have including around the compressor shaft. compressor shaft seal leaks are the most expensive to repair because it means replacing the compressor. you can visually inspect all the joints where hoses connect to a component. if you see signs of oil "wetness" around these joints thats going to be the first sign of a leak. you need some tools for automotive AC work like the aforementioned leak detector, also a set of refrigerant gauges, a vacuum pump, I have said before on these forums this is one job that you should get help with if you dont have any experience with handling refrigerant aka "Freon" also if your leaks arent that bad you could buy one of those auto part store ac recharge cans and just put some more in. simply vacuuming a system known to have leaks could make things worse. I think TJ works on auto AC in his day job or works at a shop that does it. PM him he's a prety smart guy.

 

To answer your question, George, no. I haven't done anything to it yet. That means no gauges and no Freon. Nothing. I think I'm going to buy a parts store recharge kit today and see what happens. Do the cheapo gauges that come with those good enough?

I'm going to start there because it's not too expensive and if that doesn't do it, it looks like I'm going to be spending a bunch of money anyway.

 

Thanks for all of the fast replies.

 

those part store recharge kits just come with a can of 134a and a hose to get it hooked up. never seen one with gauges on it. read the instructions carefully and follow them. you could really hurt yourself doing this. 15 years later i can still see the scar from the worst frost burn ever... the average automotive AC compressor makes enough pressure to pop one of those little cans of 134a. get it attached to the system right. dont buy any 134a with any kind of leak sealer in it. should probably skip the ones with leak detecting dye in them too. its just a total pain to clean that crap out of a system.

 

The ones I saw had either didn't have a gauge or had a plastic gauge that looked like it was really cheaply made. The ones with the gauges look like this: Interdynamics MAC134 Measurecharge-19 oz W/Gau

 

that stuff has leak sealers in it so i wouldnt use it.

 

those arent bad if the system is working properly. you really need a set of gauges so you can see what is going on both sides. if you happen to have a blockage, the low side will look like its low on freon while the high side is ready to explode. i think autozone lends out gauges.

 

Ken, that was just an example of one with a gauge. I don't plan on using anything with stop leak in it.

George, I'm going to go by AutoZone and see how they can help me out, I think.