two blocks of ice to condition the air

[TPCDrafting]

Spring is here and summer is coming. My air conditioning has never worked right. It didn't work when I bought it. IT was a cold day and it never crossed my mind to check. I have an extended waranty, but should I bother with a dealer to fix it??? I've filled it up myself with refirgerant, but it leaks out within a few weeks. I'm a windows down kind of guy, but sometimes I take road trips with the wife and she doesn't like all the wind noise. Is there a fix kit I can get my self or do I need to take it to a specialist or worse yet, the dealer?

 

[ftb87]

Did you check all of the lines/valves? Did you find any oil anywhere?



It might be worth the deductable if your dealership is good .



Frank

 

[duaneparks]

I had this problem with my '97 Ram 1500. It was the low pressure valve that was leaking all the refrigerant out. The refrigerant also has the lubricant for the compressor.



I'd get it fixed. I ended up replacing the compressor in mine since the absence of refrigerant ruined the unit.



Just my $. 02 worth.



Duane

 

[TPCDrafting]

I have a $100 deductible. The compressor has some sort of sensor that won't let it run unless it has proper refrig. I can put in almost a full can before it starts to kick on and off. I'll check all the connections and valves before taking it in. Just thought there might be one spot many have had trouble with. Thanks for your help.

Tim

 

[DMalone]

A/C

You are correct there is a low pressure switch,it will not let it run in a vacum. If there is a leak look for a oily line or fitting. Also look at the condenser and evaporator. If the a/c clutch doesnt pull in then it is very low. Also you can check the leaving air temperture and it should be about 45 degrees. A quick way when charging to check is the suction line should be sweating and the compressor will not be cycling. If you keep adding freon and dont find and repair the leak, your oil level in the compressor will get very low and it could lock up the compressor. This is poe oil and not mineral oil. Its best to find the leak and pull a good vacum 500 microns or less then recharge with 134A. These blends now its not really good to add freon. The blends have a glide factor and they dont transfer evenly. Best to fresh charge 100 percent. Have a day.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Thanks Dmalone,



I got to crawling around in there the other day and found what looks like a sensor. It's in-line with wires coming out of it. It was really near the engine oil filter (about 2 inches away). I'm pretty sure it was leaking, but the system is surely been empty since last summer. Is this the low pressure senser? If so, is there a part number, so I can try replacing that part and recharging? I already have the recharge hose and cans of 134a don't cost that much to experiment.

 

[DMalone]

A/C Repair

The low pressure switch is located on the suction accumaltor, it has two wires, unplug and use a jumper across the plug. Now the clutch will engauge. Add one can and replug switch, it should stay engauged now at a idle. Check and see if it starts sweating back to the compressor from the evaporator. Its best to have a manifold set so you can see the low side pressure and the high side pressure. 134A at 45 degrees is 39. 5 lbs and at 35 degrees is29. 9 lbs. So at a 45 degree leaving a temp at the vents on a 10 degree temperture difference you will need a suction pressure of 29. 9 lbs. Also at idle the suction pressure will be higher than at 2000 rpm. At 2000 rpm make sure the clutch stays pulled in if not it is still a little short on freon. Make sure to charge on low side. Add freon untill cooling gets to temp or low side pressure gets good. Find and repair leak, pull a vacuum and recharge. In a pinch you can add some freon, but for best results start from fresh. Remember its best to be alittle under charged than to over charge. take care,

 

[jsimpson]

Down here in South Florida, the local AC guys stock lots of aftermarket evaporators for Dodge trucks. Seems that the factory evaporators are almost guaranteed to go south within three years, and the factory replacements aren't any better. Mine's due one now since the Super-Seal didn't do the job!:{