AC won't turn on
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
AC won't turn on
Any Ideas? It got recharged last week, and worked great for a couple of days, then didn't need it for a few days. Now the compressor won't turn on. All the plugs are on all the way. Any ideas? Thanks guys
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Since you needed it re-charged, the most likely problem is a slow leak that has allowed the charge pressure to drop below the threshold where the low-pressure cut-off switch has disabled the compressor. That switch is a safety to insure that the compressor isn't damaged by operating without any refrigerant.
My troubleshooting would be: Try jumping across the low-pressure switch to see if the compressor then operates. If it does, you could be low on refrigerant, or you could have a bad switch. Depending on the results, replace the switch or find the leak, however small, then re-charge.
However, without even a cheap set of gauges, you're shooting straw into the wind.
Pop
My troubleshooting would be: Try jumping across the low-pressure switch to see if the compressor then operates. If it does, you could be low on refrigerant, or you could have a bad switch. Depending on the results, replace the switch or find the leak, however small, then re-charge.
However, without even a cheap set of gauges, you're shooting straw into the wind.
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Jun 5, 2007 at 10:14 AM.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Just get some R-134a for $5.97, and the hose kit for $10, and put in another 12oz with the engine running and AC on high. You should see the compressor clutch start to engage for 1sec, then disengage for 2sec, until you get the 12oz in. If so, then you know your clutch and pump is fine and you just have a leak somewhere. Next step is to buy some 134a with UV leak detector for $10ea and run that through and look around with a black light. Odds are, you will need to replace an o-ring or just tighten up a fitting? But if you are leaking out that quickly, there could be a leak in the condenser (high pressure side....)? I am no AC tech though, this is just my standard procedure for AC issues, which seems to be a common issue in Maine since we do not use the AC much.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 5
From: Gig Em, Tx
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine
Just get some R-134a for $5.97, and the hose kit for $10, and put in another 12oz with the engine running and AC on high. You should see the compressor clutch start to engage for 1sec, then disengage for 2sec, until you get the 12oz in. If so, then you know your clutch and pump is fine and you just have a leak somewhere. Next step is to buy some 134a with UV leak detector for $10ea and run that through and look around with a black light. Odds are, you will need to replace an o-ring or just tighten up a fitting? But if you are leaking out that quickly, there could be a leak in the condenser (high pressure side....)? I am no AC tech though, this is just my standard procedure for AC issues, which seems to be a common issue in Maine since we do not use the AC much.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine
Just get some R-134a for $5.97, and the hose kit for $10, and put in another 12oz with the engine running and AC on high. You should see the compressor clutch start to engage for 1sec, then disengage for 2sec, until you get the 12oz in. If so, then you know your clutch and pump is fine and you just have a leak somewhere. Next step is to buy some 134a with UV leak detector for $10ea and run that through and look around with a black light. Odds are, you will need to replace an o-ring or just tighten up a fitting? But if you are leaking out that quickly, there could be a leak in the condenser (high pressure side....)? I am no AC tech though, this is just my standard procedure for AC issues, which seems to be a common issue in Maine since we do not use the AC much.
Pop
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Sounds like it leaked out again to me as well.
Was the truck ever involved in an accident and needed front end repair?
Sometimes the condensor will get tweaked and still hold a vacuum, only to have a crack that opens up later on in life.
Was the truck ever involved in an accident and needed front end repair?
Sometimes the condensor will get tweaked and still hold a vacuum, only to have a crack that opens up later on in life.