2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC issue

[surfbeetle]

Last year (2013) in Sept/Oct (can't remember the exact date) I had my air conditioning in my 95 Ram rebuilt, new compressor, dryer, etc, then in November, I bought my Challenger so the truck has only gone through 2 tanks of fuel since then. It's probably about 1500 miles since the AC rebuild. A couple of weeks ago, the AC died as did the alternator, tach and speedo. I replaced the Crank position sensor and all worked fine with no issues.

Yesterday, we were returning from a camping trip, it was 80 degrees outside at the beach where we were camping and about 100 degrees at home. The distance traveled was approximately 50 miles from the beach to home. We were pulling the fifth wheel, had the AC on and everything was great. My 7 yr old daughter had to use the restroom so we stopped about 5 miles from home, it was 100 degrees outside when we stopped. I left the truck idling for the 5-10 minutes that she used the restroom.

From that point, the AC stopped working, I turned it on and off a few times and it kicked in once but then went back off. When I got home, I could see the compressor not spinning. I tried swapping the AC relay with the horn relay, still nothing. I didn't start the truck today but plan to tomorrow to see if the AC works again.

Any ideas? What should I troubleshoot? I could take it back to the AC shop but hate to waste the time if it's something quick and easy.
Thanks in advance
Craig

 

[B.G. Smith]

The compressor won't run constantly if the refrigerant is low. How could it be low when it was just working?? A possibility iis that when you stopped and let the truck idle while your family rested that the head pressure got so high that the high pressure relief valve opened and you blew some refrigerant out. If your fan clutch is not working correctly or just the heat if it is in the 100 deg. range could cause this if idling too long. Just a thought. You need to check the system pressure before you can really tell what is going on. bg

 

[surfbeetle]

I went out to the truck this morning started it and the AC worked instantly, but you're right. I should at least get the pressure checked. It's on my to do list for next week.

 

[tripl-e]

There should be a high pressure limit switch in this system. If the condenser can't get rid of the heat, the system's high side pressure could go high enough to disable the compressor. Anything that interferes with the condenser's ability to shed heat will be suspect. About 3/4 of the fins on mine were folded flat from previous service work and the AC was marginal. It took a long, long time but I straightened most of the fins and the AC improved noticeably. Clutched radiator fan? Clogged condenser or radiator?

 

[surfbeetle]

This has got to be what happened since we were fine rolling down the highway and it was after we stopped that the ac stopped, not enough air flow to cool anything in the engine. I've been suspecting the fan clutch needs replacement and I'm still on the original radiator, those two items are on my to do list. Sadly the list seems to only grow.

 

[GAmes]

Don't waste your money on parts house warranty for life fan clutches. They rarely work correctly and fail at the worst possible times. An OEM will cost a bit more, but when it is 100 outside it will be worth every penny. If the radiator has never been removed it is probably too dirty to cool efficiently. First flush and drain the system, then remove the radiator completely from the truck. Soak it in a good cleaner (I use Simple Green) that isn't acidic like the purple cleaners. It is a waste of time to try to clean the fins with the radiator in the truck. With it out you can also effectively clean the intercooler. If the hoses are over 4 years old now would be a good time to replace them (including the heater hoses).

 

[speedo81972@yahoo.com]

I had the same thing happen to me last year while I was stuck in traffic with the ac running. Long story short, the orifice tube clogged. After I replaced it it's been running great.

99 2500, 2wd, nothing special

 

[surfbeetle]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going take back to the shop that rebuilt the AC week after next and let them check it out. They're also a radiator shop so I'm going just have them do the fan clutch and radiator. I'll make sure they get the OEM clutch. I'm too busy with work this time of year or I'd do it myself.

 

[jfluffy2]

I would also have them put in a new pressure transducer