99 Explorer AC Help
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
99 Explorer AC Help
I punched a hole in the condenser when I replaced the radiator about 2 months ago. I replaced the condenser yesterday. I pulled a vacuum and was ready to re-charge, but I could not get the compressor to engage, I jumped the pressure valves and the compressor but it would not spin. It took about 2 hours to get one can of 134 into it and the gauges both read 100. I am thinking that the condenser or dryer is blocked. Any help would be appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,808
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Since the R-134a carries the lubricant through the AC system, you really don't want to force the compressor to engage with essentially no charge on the system. Was the system still holding vacuum when you started to charge it? If so, it should have sucked that can's contents in quite quickly.
When charging were you only charging through the low pressure side? If so, and both gauges read 100psi, that would indicate no significant blockage since both sides equalized which you would expect when the compressor is not running.
Maybe this is a dumb question, but did you have the A/C turned on from the HVAC controls? Bypassing the pressure switches still won't allow the compressor clutch to engage if you don't have it turned on. If you did have it turned on, did you check for battery voltage to the compressor clutch field coil? If you have battery voltage to the field coil, then something is preventing the clutch from engaging. Maybe the field coil is worn out or maybe the gap between the clutch is too large and you need to remove a spacer. Did the A/C work fine prior to poking the hole in the condensor?
-Rod
When charging were you only charging through the low pressure side? If so, and both gauges read 100psi, that would indicate no significant blockage since both sides equalized which you would expect when the compressor is not running.
Maybe this is a dumb question, but did you have the A/C turned on from the HVAC controls? Bypassing the pressure switches still won't allow the compressor clutch to engage if you don't have it turned on. If you did have it turned on, did you check for battery voltage to the compressor clutch field coil? If you have battery voltage to the field coil, then something is preventing the clutch from engaging. Maybe the field coil is worn out or maybe the gap between the clutch is too large and you need to remove a spacer. Did the A/C work fine prior to poking the hole in the condensor?
-Rod
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
If you drew 10" of vacuum, the first can (Inverted) should have loaded almost immediately(engine off). I would be checking the low pressure valve (not opening properly to allow charge.
Are you using a professional manifold, you said it has 100psi both sides?
Are you using a professional manifold, you said it has 100psi both sides?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I will try to jump the compressor again and I think I only pulled the vacumm on the lines because it did not take very long to pull it down. I will check the low line next to see if it is stopped up, but the pressure did equalize at 100 on both sides. It also has the climate control on it, but I put the it AC Max and turned up the fan as high as it would go. It put a test light on the compressor and it had power, but the neither pressure switch had power. Also it ran like a dream before the hole. I haven't seen the truck in 2 days - as my 16 yr old stays gone, it must not be bothering him too much not to have air.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
First check to see if when you turn the AC on the clutch of the AC Compressor is getting current should read 12V when AC is on, if it doesnt then it could be line pressure there is a little switch above the line going into the Condinser that senses if there is not enough pressure in the lines (which means if it is low you have a leak) and it wont let the compressor come on when low to avoid burning it up.
