A/C accumulator or “capacity control valve” cause weak cooling?

Tiny
VILLIEWE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 7.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
A/C temperature at the vent drops to only 80 degrees when outside is 90.

High and low pressures seem to be normal.

Uses scroll compressor which changes stroke instead of cycling on/off.

Shop manual says any clutch cycling (which I see) happens when “capacity control valve” does not reduce the cooling load.

After 85 miles of driving the temperature at the accumulator top which normally shows frost was 150 degrees.

Upon startup the accumulator temperature drops from 90 degrees to about 85 degrees.

Accumulator and compressor are both 8 years old.

Is it the “capacity control valve” or a clogged “accumulator“?
Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 3:25 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi,

I would think a clogged accumulator would cause the pressures to be off. You indicated they are good. Could you let me know both the high and low pressures and the ambient temp when tested?

I attached diagnostics for you below related to the issue. Let me know if it helps. Also, here is a link you may find helpful.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
VILLIEWE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The high low pressures are within the “white” area of the shop manual graph with temps around 90 degrees.
Scroll compressor is not supposed to cycle off but if it does- shop manual says if clutch does cycle off, then “capacity control valve” would be the cause. Would the CCV explain both abnormal clutch cycle and low?
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Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 AT 12:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
I would think that's the issue. However, what do you mean by "and low?"
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Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 AT 5:16 PM

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