Ok A/C gurus... I need help
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 130
From: Thomasville, GA
Ok A/C gurus... I need help
Had my buddy with access to a machine (at Oil Can Henry's) evac the system and refill it. He did a pressure check and didn't find any leaks. Everything was working awesome, it was even freezing us out on our trip down to SoCal on thursday when we were still in northern california.
Once we got down to southern Cali it stopped working as well. It is still a little cooler than the normal vent air, but not nearly as cold as it should be.
I looked the compressor with the engine idling and the a/c on and it would engage for 3 seconds and then turn off, then engage for 3 seconds, and turn off... Is that normal?
Any idea why it isn't working well? Is it just the 100 degree weather or what?
Once we got down to southern Cali it stopped working as well. It is still a little cooler than the normal vent air, but not nearly as cold as it should be.
I looked the compressor with the engine idling and the a/c on and it would engage for 3 seconds and then turn off, then engage for 3 seconds, and turn off... Is that normal?
Any idea why it isn't working well? Is it just the 100 degree weather or what?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
I'm no guru but you one, lost some freon. Two, behind the plate where the compressor kicks in needs to be shimmed. Three, the problem I have, the plug in on top towards the back of the compressor is loose. Clean it and if that doesn't work then wiggle it around. If it kicks in and stays running then zip tie it in that position.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
yeah, the stuff glen is talking about could be true as well.
Usually if its kicking on and off, its a pressure issue, or a sensor failure.
if its kicking on and turning the pump, then the clutch shim is good.
Usually if its kicking on and off, its a pressure issue, or a sensor failure.
if its kicking on and turning the pump, then the clutch shim is good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Either one or the other
Either low pressure or hi is taking the clutch out or the clutch is shot. I doubt the clutch is shot.
If the orfice filter is plugged you can get too high of pressure on the discharge and starve the suction side. If it leaked out there is a low pressure swtich at the compressor head just behind the clutch that can be jumpered with a paper clip and the clutch will stay engaged even if the pressure is low. Thats a quick check without gauges. Dont let it stay running like that very long at all or you will toast the compressor.
Also evacuating the freon will allow the oil to remain in the system and unless the system was purged to clear the oil. Too much oil will mimic low freon. Since its takeing the sapce of the freon.
Simplest thing is to gauge the pressures and state what the outside air temp is in you next post and we can go from there.
In closing here is a little more info
EXTRA INFO
Air Conditioning Troubleshooting and Repair
and two X on Glenn's post about the connections-- several have had issues
If the orfice filter is plugged you can get too high of pressure on the discharge and starve the suction side. If it leaked out there is a low pressure swtich at the compressor head just behind the clutch that can be jumpered with a paper clip and the clutch will stay engaged even if the pressure is low. Thats a quick check without gauges. Dont let it stay running like that very long at all or you will toast the compressor.
Also evacuating the freon will allow the oil to remain in the system and unless the system was purged to clear the oil. Too much oil will mimic low freon. Since its takeing the sapce of the freon.
Simplest thing is to gauge the pressures and state what the outside air temp is in you next post and we can go from there.
In closing here is a little more info
EXTRA INFO
Air Conditioning Troubleshooting and Repair
and two X on Glenn's post about the connections-- several have had issues
Postmaster
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 0
From: Monroe City in
I'm no guru but you one, lost some freon. Two, behind the plate where the compressor kicks in needs to be shimmed. Three, the problem I have, the plug in on top towards the back of the compressor is loose. Clean it and if that doesn't work then wiggle it around. If it kicks in and stays running then zip tie it in that position.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
Rubber Duck (Cody) mentioned a mod for this. Split a copper wire apart and use a few strands to put into the female side of the plug. This takes up the slack in the plug. When my zip tie quits doing its job I'll try it, LOL.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 0
From: Monroe City in
Ya i guess the plug in just gets worn out. That is a good idea to do. But im like you the zip tie is working fine and i dont want to mess with it. Il prob end up breaking it where it wont work at all ha.
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Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
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From: Thomasville, GA
Havn't had a chance to go out and look at it yet. I'll try wiggling the wire around. I don't have access to pressure gauges right now and don't want to spend $40 for a set at autozone...
THere are no Oil Can Henry's down here, otherwise I'd take it in and make them fix it... ALready had to take it to my buddy at his store twice because the first time the high side cap came off.
THere are no Oil Can Henry's down here, otherwise I'd take it in and make them fix it... ALready had to take it to my buddy at his store twice because the first time the high side cap came off.
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 13
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From: Spanaway
This is not normal. You most likely do have a leak somewhere. If you do not have access to a gauge to check the pressure then bypass your low pressure switch with a paperclip. Just unplug it and jump the harness plug. It should engage the compressor. Give it a little RPM and see how cold it gets. If it gets real cold then you can adjust your low pressure switch to come on sooner and longer.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 16
Its a guess but if it is low on freon again, I would take a hard look at the service ports for the a/c. They have been known to not seal and will not show a leak when the machine is connected. Soapy water works well for checking that especially since u mentioned the issue with the high side cap. The cap is not a seal to keep the freon in but more to keep dirt out.