2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC ????? Can they work while sitting?????

[hammersley]

OK - I"m confused - help me..... On my 01 - if I leave it fast idle - say 1100-1200 with the AC on it will cycle such that the AC will eventually blow warm air. I had it checked last summer - not at a Dodge Dealership - an it was ever so small low - it didn't seem to make any difference. I wanted to keep my dogs in the cab - with a fast idle - and a steering wheel lock on - but I am afraid that it won't keep the cab cool...



Now last summer a local police department lost a K-9 because their rig was left for over an hour - and the AC didn't keep going.....



Folks (Dodge Dealers) have told me that the AC works this way due to pressure build up and that it's normal... ...



I was wondering if it was because there isn't much airflow over the unit..... Can this be fixed to be trusted??????

 

[Pavemen]

you need the air flow over the condenser otherwise it will blow warm after a bit.

good explanation of the hows and whys
Air Conditioning - how it works

 

[hammersley]

So you need an

auxillary fan that you can manually turn on and run full when you are sitting?????

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Sad to hear about the K-9 officer. IF your A/C is fully charged it still needs adequate airflow over the condenser or it will become heat-soaked and not release heat to recool the gas. Causes include a bad fan clutch that does not adequately engage the fan when the radiator/A/C condenser combo starts sending hot air over the thermo coil OR in the case of the police truck - a purpose selected auxiliary fan that will push air under static conditions. Perma cool probably could have kept that dog alive!

 

[fest3er]

It's most annoying in DC in the summer when the AC works OK on the highway, but blows hot air idling around the city. I so miss the days of R-12, when I would drive cross-country wearing my down vest with the A/C set to refrigerate. Those were the days of comfortable driving.

Yes, it can be fixed to work at idle. Once you have it serviced and 'properly' charged, buy a can or two of R134A (no oil or additives). Run the engine, idle it to maybe 1200 RPM, turn the A/C on outside air and turn the fan on full. Then add until the compressor doesn't cycle off; if you have a gauge, add freon until the low pressure side does not drop below 25 PSI or so.

But first ensure your fan clutch works. Maybe use a hair dryer and blow hot air through the radiator at the bimetallic sensor (in the middle of the clutch). If the fan rattles at all or never engages, replace the fan clutch.

Mine is slightly low on freon, but I recently stopped in a pickle park when it was 90F and sunny, and it stayed cool enough to sleep for an hour.

Finally, *never* use R134A with leak stopper built in. That stuff gums up the entire system and requires an *expensive* cleaning.

 

[WDixon27]

does it still do it with the air on recirculate? even with my fresh compressor if the blower is on full blast and i gotta idle for long it starts to loose it's chill unless i have the rec on, one blower position back of full helps the air temp too, i come from euro cars where you gotta manage your coolness and milk everything it's got to not sweat

 

[BJMarshall]

My AC used to warm up when idling until I cleaned the radiator and intercooler. It was due to a lack of airflow. Even with close to 200k on it now, the stock fan clutch is still doing fine. I can actually hear it start to move more air as the condenser starts to heat up.

A pusher electric fan will fix it, but the fan clutch should start to lock up and pull enough air without having to add one.

 

[JKinney]

Things might be plugged up, that is a crap build up between the condensor and the radiator.

 

[24valver]

well, a typical A/C system will work when sitting still, but not nearly as efficiently. It's all about the air flow across the condensor. My truck actually does a good job cooling at a stand still. Kind of suprised me. Try cleaning the rad. and condensor to see if that helps.

 

[Matt42]

auxillary fan that you can manually turn on and run full when you are sitting?????

I installed a 10 inch or 12 inch (I forget which) Hayden pusher for improving airflow thru the condenser in Phoenix traffic. It really helps. Picture idling in traffic at 110F and humid.