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AC and condenser??

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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 03:47 PM
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AC and condenser??

i have known for some time time that the ac wasn't working. the guage reads up in the red when hooking up the coolant resevoir. is the condenser shot or what else? any suggestions? how much to fix or replace do you think? thank's in advance for your help here.

ps: 90 here in fresno ca. today
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 05:52 PM
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What gauge are you talking about? More specific info and what your truck is would be nice.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 08:46 PM
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A/C, coolant reservoir?
 
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Old May 1, 2012 | 01:21 PM
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one of the coolant containers that you can buy. hooked it up to the ac line and it was peaked into the red zone. mechanical issues it says.

2004 6 litre..
 
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Old May 1, 2012 | 04:27 PM
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Did you hook it up to the right valve? A/C systems have a high pressure side and a low pressure side. If you were to hook it up to the high side, the pressure coming out of the compressor is surely too high for the refrigerant to flow out of the bottle.

The low side, or suction side, is just the reverse. the compressor is sucking refrigerant from the evaporator coil into it. This is the proper side to hook up your bottle.

I own a HVAC company. The bigger more important question you should be asking, is why the system needs more refrigerant. Refrigerant does not get used up. If you are low, you have a leak. If you have a leak, you need to address that first.

If i were you I'd take the vehicle in and have it looked at. Most A/C repairs are typically not DIY. I wouldn't recommend anyone without proper experience messing with an A/C system.
 
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Old May 1, 2012 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by critterf1
A/C, coolant reservoir?
There is no ac coolant reservoir. If your referring to the dryer ***. you better take your truck to somebody that knows what they're doing.
 
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Old May 1, 2012 | 05:47 PM
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complete a/c system $1600 or so
 
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Old May 2, 2012 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by EnzyteBob
Did you hook it up to the right valve? A/C systems have a high pressure side and a low pressure side. If you were to hook it up to the high side, the pressure coming out of the compressor is surely too high for the refrigerant to flow out of the bottle.

The low side, or suction side, is just the reverse. the compressor is sucking refrigerant from the evaporator coil into it. This is the proper side to hook up your bottle.

I own a HVAC company. The bigger more important question you should be asking, is why the system needs more refrigerant. Refrigerant does not get used up. If you are low, you have a leak. If you have a leak, you need to address that first.

If i were you I'd take the vehicle in and have it looked at. Most A/C repairs are typically not DIY. I wouldn't recommend anyone without proper experience messing with an A/C system.

thanks for the info. it only fits on one of the outlets and i would assume it
is the low side. it sits on the top of a canister looking part with aluminum lines running in and out.
 
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:07 PM
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that would be the low side port on the dryer.
 
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Old May 3, 2012 | 01:49 AM
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If its in the red then wouldnt that mean he has overcharged it? Ive seen those little gauges before and you need to release some pressure from the system and it will probably work.

Are you taking the readings when the vehicle is running with the a/c on max?

To me id take it to someone who knows what they are doing before you damage the a/c system by overcharging it or waste your money chasing a problem and you dont know what it is. Jmho.
 
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Old May 3, 2012 | 08:20 AM
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Better get it taken care of. Overcharging can slug the compressor.
 
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Old May 3, 2012 | 05:04 PM
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I would first verify if the clutch is kicking in when you turn on the ac. If its not go to the high pressure switch and see if youve got power in and out of it. If you do check to see if youve got power to the clutch, if you do chances are the clutch is no good. If you dont trace the wire off the clutch back to the high pressure switch because its likely got a break in it. If youve got power to one side of the high pressure switch and not the other your charge is either low or gone. Look at the lines and condenser real close for traces of oil, which would indicate a leak. This is what i would do if i were in your shoes. If you can find the problem and fix it the cost of the a/c charge will be minimal.
 
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