A/C Stopped working in AZ!

[TMax]

This feels like chapter 20 of the same story... the Cummins keeps on trucking while the Chrysler accessories attached to it keep falling apart! Now it is the A/C that has stopped working.

While traveling north last weekend from Mesa to Payson, pulling my 5'er at mid day, the A/C quit working. I have a habit of turning it off while pulling the more challenging hills to avoid heating up, and so when I had cleared the last big hill up Slate Canyon, I went to hit the switch to turn the A/C back on and nothing. The light turns on in the switch and the fan motor still blows but no cool air and the compressor does not kick on. :{

I think my A/C clutch might have stopped working but not sure. I didn't know if there is a relay that controls the compressor or if it is an integrated relay that controls it. Any input would be appreciated. ... As usual.

Thanks guys...

 

[wcjp]

Have you tried to run the AC since the truck has sit for awhile? I thought there was a possible problem of the condenser freezing over. Exasperated by needles/leaves laying against the condenser behind the fan assembly.

 

[TMax]

Yes but to no avail. The truck sat for days and still no AC. I am having a friend with the right tools jumper the compressor clutch to see if that will manually trigger it. If not, then we know its the clutch.

 

[macdaddy]

Did you try the defroster setting on the dash with the temp on low?. If the comp clutch comes on then it's probably the selector.



Mac

 

[TMax]

Apparently my AC clutch went out and now I get to buy a new compressor! The fun never stops! Looks like a good opportunity to change out the coolant and the water pump too @ 96k miles. Only money right?? Thanks for your responses!

 

[wcjp]

When my friends compressor/clutch went out on his 99' I think he bought the new one from Napa. He bought an electric vacuum kit from Harbour Freight to evacuate the system. Had system filled by auto Hvac guy.

 

[dwr2]

TMax- I am having the same problem as you. How did your friend jumper the clutch to see if it would manually trigger and start working?



I hooked the guages to my system and the low side was reading extremely high: >120psi and the high side was reading pretty low.



In the manual this says it is the compressor but is this really true if it isn't even kicking on? Maybe it is one of the relays or something in the safety circuits telling it not to turn on?



ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS??? I know this is the 1,000,000th A/C question but I searched and I can't find anything that will help.