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AC question . . .

Phil513

Phil513

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So, my AC wasn't working, and the compressor wasn't kicking on at all. I bought one of those do-it-yourself cans of r134 (my truck has been converted).

Filled it (i think) but the compressor just kicks on and off every 2 seconds repeatedly.

Did I fubar something?
 
Sounds like you just need more.
Although its going to leak back out. Probably in short order.
 
I'll try putting more in. It's hard to tell by the gauge, because when the compressor kicks off, it climbs above the limit, then when it kicks on it drops below the limit. lol.

Maybe it's best to head for a shop.
 
I think those gauges are kinda hokey. But they way it's set up, you would be reading it while the compressor is running. There is a low pressure cut-off switch on your accumulator/drier. When the system pressure drops it cuts power to the compressor. And that gauge on the can is showing the low/suction side of the system.
 
Fastereddie said:
I think those gauges are kinda hokey. But they way it's set up, you would be reading it while the compressor is running. There is a low pressure cut-off switch on your accumulator/drier. When the system pressure drops it cuts power to the compressor. And that gauge on the can is showing the low/suction side of the system.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the compressor just doesn't stay on long enough to get a read. It's literally cycling every 2 seconds or so.

Ugh. I am probably headed to a professional. I charged it 2 years ago and it's worked fine until now.
 
I assume you're just looking to get through this heat wave were having this next couple days. But ultimately you're going to have to have tour leak fixed. If you do put another can in get some that has leak detection dye in it. That way you can find the leak with a black light. Or the shop can.
 
Fastereddie said:
I assume you're just looking to get through this heat wave were having this next couple days. But ultimately you're going to have to have tour leak fixed. If you do put another can in get some that has leak detection dye in it. That way you can find the leak with a black light. Or the shop can.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the heat is going to be brutal. BTW, there is a run next Saturday if you are interested. Elgin, Rainbow Canyon, Mt. Ella.

Supposed to be 115 or so, so yes. Gotta be fixed before then. lol.
 
it's still low on Freon.
 
is that while it's (ac) running? if not you're reading the static pressure.
 
Big Ray said:
is that while it's running? if not you're reading the static pressure.
Click to expand...

Yes, running with it on max and fan on full bore.

It was bouncing up and down as the compressor cycled. Now it just stays in overfull while the compressor cycles.

Still cycling about 2 seconds.
 
hmmm. hard to say without a manifold set of gauges on it. need to know what the high side is doing.
 
My experience has been about 50/50 success with adding freon. Usually if its only a little low it'll come back with a top off. If the system has completely leaked out or been opened up, to work correctly again its gonna need a new drier, orifice tube and a good deep vacuum.
 
I had a 96 Impala that needed a can every 6mo. when it's low it will cycle on/off like you're describing. The more you put in the less it will cycle. Eventually it will quit cycling and you can get a good read on pressure there. Just take it slow.
 
Well, I got an AC manifold gauge set. But the couplers won't fit on the schrader valves. The truck was converted to R134, but maybe the fittings are old or something?

In which case, I might have put refrigerant on the wrong side. Both valves are smaller on the truck, so the small coupler on the gauge set fits on the big valve on the truck.

Hard to explain, but I'm giving up.
 
Phil513 said:
Well, I got an AC manifold gauge set. But the couplers won't fit on the schrader valves. The truck was converted to R134, but maybe the fittings are old or something?

In which case, I might have put refrigerant on the wrong side. Both valves are smaller on the truck, so the small coupler on the gauge set fits on the big valve on the truck.

Hard to explain, but I'm giving up.
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound right. Should definitly be two different sizes. I belive the high side (red) is the larger one and the low side (blue) is smaller.
 
Fastereddie said:
That doesn't sound right. Should definitly be two different sizes. I belive the high side (red) is the larger one and the low side (blue) is smaller.
Click to expand...

Yes, blue is low pressure, and smaller. Red is bigger. But the blue fits on the larger valve, and the red then is obviously WAY too big for the smaller one. They are both too big to go where they are supposed to go.
 
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