2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC fitting on 2001 3500

[RADdodge]

I bought a recharge kit to check the AC on my truck but the kit’s fitting won’t fit the connector. The connector on the truck is larger than the push on fitting on the A/C PRO A/C Recharge Kit R-134A. Last time I tried to run the AC it was blowing warm air. When I went to recharge it, the Blower was running (I could hear it and it changed depending on the setting from low to high), but now no air is coming out. So it appears I have two problems. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[petersonj]

I bought a recharge kit to check the AC on my truck but the kit’s fitting won’t fit the connector. The connector on the truck is larger than the push on fitting on the A/C PRO A/C Recharge Kit R-134A.

I assume you are trying to connect the filler hose to the low pressure side of the AC system at the port by the Accumulator near the firewall. That connection style for 134A has never changed. Either you have the wrong refrigerant, a damaged connector, or you are just having trouble making the connection. Was the cap for the port on the truck still in place to protect the connection fitting?

When I went to recharge it, the Blower was running (I could hear it and it changed depending on the setting from low to high), but now no air is coming out.

When you say "no air is coming out", do you mean no air is coming out anywhere? or just not the dash vents?

The HVAC mode vents are vacuum controlled. If the vacuum supply is lost, the HVAC system will default to defrost mode. If this is the case, you will have to find the source of the vacuum leak.

- John

 

[Topzide]

If the fitting on truck is larger than what's on the can, your looking at the high side connector. Charging is done through the low pressure side only and is located where @petersonj describes.

 

[RADdodge]

I assume you are trying to connect the filler hose to the low pressure side of the AC system at the port by the Accumulator near the firewall. That connection style for 134A has never changed. Either you have the wrong refrigerant, a damaged connector, or you are just having trouble making the connection. Was the cap for the port on the truck still in place to protect the connection fitting?



When you say "no air is coming out", do you mean no air is coming out anywhere? or just not the dash vents?

The HVAC mode vents are vacuum controlled. If the vacuum supply is lost, the HVAC system will default to defrost mode. If this is the case, you will have to find the source of the vacuum leak.

- John

From the help on the

I assume you are trying to connect the filler hose to the low pressure side of the AC system at the port by the Accumulator near the firewall. That connection style for 134A has never changed. Either you have the wrong refrigerant, a damaged connector, or you are just having trouble making the connection. Was the cap for the port on the truck still in place to protect the connection fitting?



When you say "no air is coming out", do you mean no air is coming out anywhere? or just not the dash vents?

The HVAC mode vents are vacuum controlled. If the vacuum supply is lost, the HVAC system will default to defrost mode. If this is the case, you will have to find the source of the vacuum leak.

- John

I assume you are trying to connect the filler hose to the low pressure side of the AC system at the port by the Accumulator near the firewall. That connection style for 134A has never changed. Either you have the wrong refrigerant, a damaged connector, or you are just having trouble making the connection. Was the cap for the port on the truck still in place to protect the connection fitting?



When you say "no air is coming out", do you mean no air is coming out anywhere? or just not the dash vents?

The HVAC mode vents are vacuum controlled. If the vacuum supply is lost, the HVAC system will default to defrost mode. If this is the case, you will have to find the source of the vacuum leak.

- John

I was looking at the fitting near the front left side according to the instructions from the A/C PRO A/C Recharge Kit R-134A. They included a picture of the fitting and I didn’t think that I could mess that up.

And yes, no air flow from the dash air vents. I’ll check the defrost vents. I’ll get the manual out to look at the vacuum line schematic.
Thanks for your replies!

 

[RADdodge]

Thanks to all who replied. I feel like an idiot relying on the manufacturer’s of the A/C PRO A/C Recharge Kit R-134A and the picture of the recharge fitting for the 2001 Dodge Cummins that they show, so wrong! Also, I did find the vacuum line that causes the air flow issue from the front dash with the air only coming out of the defrost vents. Interestingly, on the vacuum lines, one is white and disappears under the firewall above the transmission. Disconnecting that and plugging the port and voila - it works. Now, to figure out what that line is for.

Thanks @petersonj

 

[Road Dog]

If your truck has a CAD then it probably goes to the transfer case for 4WD selection.

 

[petersonj]

As @Road Dog mentions, if you have the CAD front axle (center axle disconnect), then that vacuum line will go to the transfer case. From the transfer there will be two lines that go to the CAD unit on the back of the passenger side axle housing.

- John

 

[BigPapa]

Those plastic vacuum lines get to the point if you look at them hard, they'll break. I replaced mine with air brake tubing and used vacuum hose for couplers.