2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC just took a dump! Help?!

[PHX ATC]

All right all you experts, help a schmuck out. Please!



AC worked just fine 2 weeks ago. Disclaimer: I live in Arizona, so I pretty much have to use it 10 months out of the year, I apologize if there's still frozen white stuff on the ground where you live.



Today, with the 94 degree temps, of course, it wouldn't work. It tries and tries but no luck. The compressor cycles on and off with the clutch engaging and disengaging every 3/4 seconds. The blower blows air, but it's only about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than normal. The condensor (big shiny thing near cab) doesn't frost up or even get cold like it should. It maybe, maybe gets barely cool when I touch it and that might be seriously wishful thinking.



It blows, it cycles, it engages, but no cold air at all.



Hmmmmmmmmm? I'm thinking all my refridgerant escaped somehow. Am I on the right track? Damn R134A gremlins at it again?



Thanks in advance for helping a hot, smelly CTD owner out!



Toby



By the way it's still under warranty and I plan on bringing it to the stealer soon, but checking here first, as usual!



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Note: I have respectfully requested we avoid the use of the term, "stealer. " I haven't asked that you not post bad experiences. I'm not going to "edit" this out. Rather, I'll make a simple, polite request to avoid the use of "stealer. " But feel free to post facts/details, just as you have done above.



Robin

TDR Admin

04/02/03

 

[markdixon]

Sounds as if you need a little freon you can go to the local parts store or even wally world the things you will need. Thay sell a kit with the adaptor and acan of freon also buy the gage so that you can run the system and check the pressure.

 

[BillH]

I have the same problem, hope it is only the Freon, or lack of. Fortunately, I will have it charged at work, and won't cost me anything.



BillH

 

[The Vetterfarm]

same thing happened to me,didn't run truck for two weeks in janurary, then A/C wouldn't work,yes some day's are warm in central CA. it needed recharge the shop I took it to did a vacum test and some kind of sniffer looking for leaks found none, no explanation, it's a mystery were refrigerant went

 

[Gifford]

uh oh

uh oh, another "stealer" reference slipped through, wonder how long till the censors catch wind of it?



I wonder if the whole "stealer" ban has anything to do with Chrysler advertising (or lack thereof) in the TDR... .



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Note: The "whole 'stealer' ban" thing has nothing to do with Chrysler advertising. As I have posted, repeatedly, it is simply about common courtesy and the avoidance of stereotyping.



I find that detailed explanations and factual information have a far greater impact (on those that do not provide acceptable service) than the use of stereotypes or labels.



Robin

TDR Admin

04/02/03

 

[Extreme1]

If it's under warrantee take it to a good dealer. It could be more than a seal like a bad part. Once you fix it yourself (if they can tell) it can become your problem.

 

[jrankin]

Had the exact same thing happen to my wife's 2001 approx. 3 weeks ago. Got in her truck and turned on the A/C, but no go. Everything was working okay, but no cold air. Don't know how long it had been like that since my wife doesn't always notice things to quickly. Took it to the dealer to see if under warranty, but of course they couldn't find anything and had to pay for a recharge and dye. They only thing they could say was that it was low on freon. So if it happens again, then it will be taken back and serviced under warrantee.



Good Luck,

Joe

 

[PHX ATC]

Sorry about the "stealer" reference. Ooops, gee I forgot.





Anyhow, I took it to the ste... ... ... uh, dealer today and I sat and squirmed in their most uncomfortable chairs for 2 hours to have them come back and tell me that somewhere up under the dash, there was a plate or some valve thingy that had slipped and was allowing hot air into where the cold air should have been coming out to reach the vents. Whatever!



I didn't care, bolted out of there and rode home with the cold A/C cranking!



Bother.