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A/C not cooling

Tiny
NASER NASER
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 215,000 MILES
Please look at the gauges, how does that look? I knew A/C has an issue when I bought it. It was barely cooling. I tried to move the A/C compressor clutch with my hand yesterday and wouldn't move, not sure if it is a design issue. Started this morning and turned compressor on and it moves, not noisy or anything. But no cold air. Thought maybe low on Freon.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:14 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Yeah. That is a sign the compressor is not operating. Take a look at the charts I attached. When you have equal pressure on both sides (65 and 65) in this case, it is the clutch not engaging or the compressor is most likely faulty.

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

We need to check and make sure the clutch engages and there is power to the compressor and if there is then I would think the compressor is faulty.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

What I am seeing is the low pressure side (blue gauge) may be high (but that is based on outside temperature when tested) and the high side is very low. I suspect the compressor is bad. However, can you provide the temperature and pressure with the engine off? Also, take a look through this link and see if it helps in any way:

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

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
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  • 836 POSTS
Ambient temperature and pressure while off?
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Yes, please. I want to see if the two sides regulate. The outside temperature changes pressures.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
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I drove it to the store and it was freezing cold and then got home my garage still showed 60 even when not connected. So I knew that isn't right. So I calibrated it to zero and measured again it's just all over the place, high was lower so was low side. I pushed in some Freon to see and it rose, but gauges all over the place and sometimes even when pushing Freon gauges wont move. It's about 64 degrees here today, compressor running.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
If the gauges are jumping around and it is charged, I honestly feel it is the compressor. Especially considering the original pressures you sent me.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
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Ya, that is what am thinking, also with the high miles. So they can be weak and only cool while driving and not while idling?
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
It's possible, but the idea that the pressures are not consistent and the high side is low and opposite, that is usually a compressor.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 11:08 AM
Tiny
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Found another new I have forgotten about. This is with car cars off and both high and low sides gauges open.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
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Pretty much same numbers with A/C on and car running. If you think compressor is weak, what about the expansion tank? Oh shoot just noticed neither fans are running. Lets go on how to check them please. Car doesn't overheat.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
I would suspect it is the compressor. If something was plugged (expansion valve), I would expect pressure on the high side would be too high and the low side too low.

As far as the cooling fans, I would be happy to help. However, and I hate to ask, but I need you to start a new post on that topic. We are trying to keep the posts specific to one topic. I hope you understand.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
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Sure thing. Sorry, I keep forgetting, will do so.
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 AT 6:21 AM

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