2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC not working

[mbelanger76]

My AC is not working, clutch ingages for a split second every few seconds ?

 

[Tractorat]

Mine had been doing that every year for the last many years. I would have it recharged once a year and it was gone by the next year. No one could ever find the leak. Well, this year, the charge only lasted a few weeks. I took it to a mech that I trust, and they said the comp was bad. Had it replaced (for about $800). That was months ago. It now blows colder than it ever did. I think thats where the problem was all along. It just needed to get bad enough to show the leak.

BTW, if I aim my infrared therm into the vent, I can get it to read zero now. Sometimes even colder than that.

 

[mtarcher1]

The AC on my '95 wasn't getting very cold this summer... though I hadn't looked at the compressor to see how it was running. Given that Montana summers are not that long I thought I'd try to recharge it, assuming that time and our extreme temp fluctuations through the fours seasons for 17 years allowed freon to be lost.

With the new DIY recharge kits, it's pretty easy to give it a shot without breaking the bank and with some amount of precision. Long story short... . I discovered that my compressor was only running for a few seconds, cycling on and off, due to the low charge. As soon as I brought it up with the recharge kit to the proper, temperature compensated pressure, the compressor stayed running and the AC is now cold. It has been good now for for three months. I won't bet on next summer just yet but I was pleasantly surprised with the success of the recharge kit. I wouldn't be surprised that I'll be in the same boat as Tractorat... . theres bigger issue and my $35 recharge is a short term fix.

 

[mbelanger76]

Thanks for the replies, think I'll look into the recharge first then go from there

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yeah, typically, the quick engage/disengage is reslutant from undercharge or overcharge. When undercharged, the compressor comes on, sucks the low side down to practically nothing almost instantly, and the low pressure switch cuts the compressor clutch. As soon as the compressor quits suction, the pressure comes back, which allows the compressor to come back on. Vicious cycle.



When overcharged the compressor comes on, but the sudden increase in headpressure makes the high side pressure switch disengage the compressor clutch... . as soon as it quits, the pressure drops, which allows the compressor to come back on.....



Either one is not good on the components, but most likely you have an undercharged condition, which is easily fixed as stated above. Good luck.