A/C clutch is engaged all the time but no cold air

2003 CHEVROLET S-10
224,000 MILES • 2.2L • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
P-HATFIELD3126
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
A/C clutch is engaged all the time, and low side pressure is at 250 psi with truck running high side 130 psi no cold air. Drained system and replaced orifice, vacuumed system down (low -27 high 0). Readings held for thirty minutes tried to charge with truck running and compressor clutch engaged was only able to get a little over half a can in system. With clutch engaged truck running low side is 95 psi and high side is 140 will not take anymore Freon. Help!
Jul 19, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning.

The high side could be normal depending on the outside temperature and amount of Freon.

The low side is no good. Are you sure you installed the orifice tube correctly and not backwards? There is an arrow on the orifice tube that indicates Freon flow.

Roy

Roy

Installation procedure:
1. Use the J 26549-E in order to install the expansion (orifice) tube (2).

Important: Install the shorter screen end of the expansion (orifice) tube into the evaporator first.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Jul 19, 2018 at 7:49 AM
Avatar
P-HATFIELD3126
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes sir, had it backwards the first time. The A/C was nice and cold working fine then shut it off because was to cold never worked again. I tried to charge both ways and it will only take little over half-can Freon.
Jul 19, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
P-HATFIELD3126
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The orifice tube is in correctly and still have same readings vacuum down to -27 low side , 0 on high side . Vacuum held good thirty minutes. Started charging got 3/4 can Freon in low side went to 95 and would not take anymore Freon. High side at 125.
Jul 19, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
It sounds like you have failed reed valves in the compressor.

I would replace the compressor and dryer.

Roy
Jul 19, 2018 at 10:35 AM