Help with AC
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Eagle Point, Oregon
Help with AC
Hi guys!
Well, we've had our new 92 4wd extended XL Aerostar ($500.00) for 6 months now without a single problem!!
What a steal for 500 bucks!
Anyway, the tempeture outside is starting to rise, so we decided to try the AC. Nodda....
I bought a refilling kit, hooked it up, and it's completely full!
Well hmmmm....
I start the motor, switch on the AC, the clutch engages for about 3 seconds, then disengages. It cycles like this over and over. Is it susposed to engage, and stay engaged? then cycle?
Anyway, no cooling is noticed inside, the air temp stays the same.
Is there anything I should check?
Thank you!
Doug
Well, we've had our new 92 4wd extended XL Aerostar ($500.00) for 6 months now without a single problem!!
What a steal for 500 bucks!
Anyway, the tempeture outside is starting to rise, so we decided to try the AC. Nodda....
I bought a refilling kit, hooked it up, and it's completely full!
Well hmmmm....
I start the motor, switch on the AC, the clutch engages for about 3 seconds, then disengages. It cycles like this over and over. Is it susposed to engage, and stay engaged? then cycle?
Anyway, no cooling is noticed inside, the air temp stays the same.
Is there anything I should check?
Thank you!
Doug
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Disclaimer: I don't know a whole lot about A/C.
How did you determine it was full if it only cycles for 3 seconds or so at a time? Did you check the presure? Sounds like maybe the low presure switch is cutting out. Do any of the lines get cold? Does the 92 have R12 or R134 ?
How did you determine it was full if it only cycles for 3 seconds or so at a time? Did you check the presure? Sounds like maybe the low presure switch is cutting out. Do any of the lines get cold? Does the 92 have R12 or R134 ?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
Doug,
I second the question: How did you tell that it was full? The only way to know for sure is to connect the pressure guages on the high and low sides of the system and see where they're at during operation.
The rapid cycling of the compressor, especially at idle, is the tell-tale sign of low refrigerant. You should find out if it's leaking before trying to refill it.
That IS a great deal on the van.
I second the question: How did you tell that it was full? The only way to know for sure is to connect the pressure guages on the high and low sides of the system and see where they're at during operation.
The rapid cycling of the compressor, especially at idle, is the tell-tale sign of low refrigerant. You should find out if it's leaking before trying to refill it.
That IS a great deal on the van.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
My 92 was R-12 from the factory but I had it converted to R-134a at the first service opportunity.
Originally Posted by ha38349
Disclaimer: I don't know a whole lot about A/C.
How did you determine it was full if it only cycles for 3 seconds or so at a time? Did you check the presure? Sounds like maybe the low presure switch is cutting out. Do any of the lines get cold? Does the 92 have R12 or R134 ?
How did you determine it was full if it only cycles for 3 seconds or so at a time? Did you check the presure? Sounds like maybe the low presure switch is cutting out. Do any of the lines get cold? Does the 92 have R12 or R134 ?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Eagle Point, Oregon
I'm 95% sure it's r-134a.
We hooked a pressure gauge to the condenser (the only place our gauge / refill kit would connect to) and the pressure went into the green.
I got to thinking about it, and oddly enough with it running and the gauge attached, it spikes into the red.
The cycling does sound like low pressure huh? odd thing is, I didn't have to add any r-134a to the system, wouldn't take anymore.
Maybe I'll take it in and have a professional look at it.
We hooked a pressure gauge to the condenser (the only place our gauge / refill kit would connect to) and the pressure went into the green.
I got to thinking about it, and oddly enough with it running and the gauge attached, it spikes into the red.
The cycling does sound like low pressure huh? odd thing is, I didn't have to add any r-134a to the system, wouldn't take anymore.
Maybe I'll take it in and have a professional look at it.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 111
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Can you tell us more? Does it Spike when the compressor is running or not running. What does red indicate on your gauge? Overfill? The refill kit hooks up to the condenser? Isn't that on the high pressure side? I could be wrong but I think if you try to fill it up on the high pressure side with the compressor running it will pump refrigerant back into your refill can. Maybe this is why it doesn’t want to take anymore.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Sounds as if the compressor has died the "black death" and has clogged either the orifice tube or condenser causing the high pressure and short cycle. You may want to have a mechanic look at it because you coulld blow something up and injure yourself although the compressor has a built in relief.
Good Luck,
Aaron
Good Luck,
Aaron
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Eagle Point, Oregon
The pressure actually goes down when the pump kicks on. The green is proper pressure, and the red is not enough....
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