Need A/C advice--urgent

[AMink]

We're leaving on vacation from Reno to Wyoming on Thursday. Yes, this Thursday. The A/C decided yesterday was a good day to quit. I figured it was something simple like the compressor dying. The shop checked it out and there was a small leak in a line which the could repair but there is no power to the compressor. They said the TIPM needs to be flashed (good scenario) or replaced (bad scenario). Either way, the local Dodge dealer can't get me in for several weeks (never did like Reno Dodge but I'm in a pinch).

When I get the truck back I'll disconnect the batteries and see if that does anything. If not, any suggestions on how to make the A/C work without going through the TIPM?

It's good to have a hot wife but I don't think this is what they had in mind!

 

[p-Bar]

Any codes? check your fuses?

 

[AMink]

They did check the fuses, it did throw one B and one P code. They don't have the scan tool that can get those to go away. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get it somewhere tomorrow. I'll disconnect the batteries and leave them overnight and see what happens.

 

[seafish]

What about the control wire that runs underneath the radiator up to the ac compressor...sometimes it gets loose out of the clamps and it gets cut by the fan blades.

 

[MMeier]

Do what I did, run it off a toggle switch, but beware that it will run all the time... ice up the evaporator in humid conditions, will build hi pressure if the fan clutch is not up to snuff. etc.

 

[AMink]

What about the control wire that runs underneath the radiator up to the ac compressor...sometimes it gets loose out of the clamps and it gets cut by the fan blades.

I did ask them to check the wiring since that seems like a relatively common problem. They traced the wire from the compressor up to where it enters the harness and said it all looked good.

 

[AMink]

Do what I did, run it off a toggle switch, but beware that it will run all the time... ice up the evaporator in humid conditions, will build hi pressure if the fan clutch is not up to snuff. etc.

Did you just run a wire from the battery to the toggle to the compressor? Do you switch it off and on so it doesn't do bad things?

 

[MMeier]

Off my aux fuse panel behind the knee bolster. be sure to fuse it, I used some quick connects behind the compressor so I could go back to stock if I found out why it would not turn on normally, that was back around '07 or 08 IIRC. This year I tied the two connections to gether so it would light up my lighted toggle switch I could tell when it was engaged or not, be sure to turn on the AC button, it seems to allow the fan clutch to operate . Just in the last month it seems to opearate as designed after all this time, no idea what was up either. I did have the P 0647 code in the dash.... AC clutch relay voltage high. I replaced the wire from the PCM to the ECM with no luck, several transducers, nothing worked. Even if his gets you through your trip, it may be worth doing, your call.

 

[JR]

So is the leak fixed or not yet? Are you positive it's simply not a low pressure issue with the leak that's preventing the compressor from kicking on?

 

[bighammer]

So is the leak fixed or not yet? Are you positive it's simply not a low pressure issue with the leak that's preventing the compressor from kicking on?

Pretty sure I read something like what JR is saying here. If the pressure drops too low, the system won't kick on. Hopefully, with the leak fixed and system charged, it should function again.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

The A/C system in my 3rd is the only thing I don't miss. That was the worst system in any of my previous Dodge trucks or any vehicle I've ever owned.

I wish someone would develop a replacement plenum that would allow equal cold flow to the passenger side and the increase the flow to the feet area.

 

[AMink]

Finally got it in for a TIPM reset. That fixed it. Keeping my fingers crossed that it stays fixed. Going to Wyoming with the windows open was't too bad until it got above 92°. Ear plugs and sunscreen!