A/C not cooling?

Hi,

The low-pressure side is the side you charge from. It shouldn't be nearly that high. Could you confirm that is what you found on the low-pressure side of the compressor?

Also, I'm wondering if the Schrader valve may be blocked. Do me a favor, check the pressure with the system off and after it sits for about an hour. Also, let me know if you have access to an A/C manifold gauge set. Also, let me know the outside temperature when you checked and found 120 PSI and if you had the engine running with the A/C on.

Let me know.

Joe

No manifold set. It was about 95 outside. Yes, I was running the car with the A/C on. It was reading 110-120 even pressing the trigger when I hooked it up. I did manage to bleed it a bit and the reading dropped to about 85-90 but went back to 120. I think I'm not doing this right.

Hi,

At 95 degrees F, the low side pressure should be between 50 and 55 psi. It could be overcharged, have a blockage, or too much PAG oil in it. However, if you didn't add any and there wasn't a problem before, that wouldn't make sense.

Take a look through this link that explains the process of recharging it with a recharge kit from a parts store. See if anything helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Also, allow the vehicle to cool off to the outside ambient temperature. Note: engine and AC off for about an hour. By turning it off, it will allow the pressures in the system to equalize. Then take a pressure reading and let me know what it is. With it off under these conditions, that pressure is referred to as static pressure. If you had a gauge for both the high and low sides, you would see the pressures become equal. Hopefully, I will be able to tell if the system is overcharged.

Here is the thing. If the low side is too high and the high side is low, it could indicate a compressor issue or the system needing to be serviced. (Vacuum and recharge)

On the other hand, if both pressures are high, that would indicate the system is overcharged.

I hope I'm making sense. LOL I can never tell by the time I finish typing.

Let me know.

Take care and Happy 4th!!!

joe

I had let it cool down before. Interestingly enough, this morning my wife went to work, and it was working again. The compressor came on, and while cool, it wasn't as cold as before.

Hi,

Okay, here is what I need you to do. When you turn the A/C on and the compressor doesn't engage, I need you to check if there is power to the clutch coil (compressor clutch assembly). If there is, then we have a faulty clutch coil.

Let me know.

Joe

So far it's engaging again, just less cool.

I'm starting to wonder if it was overcharged. You said you allowed the pressure to lower. Since then, it has been working. Is that correct?

Let me know. Also, if it changes, see if you can get your hands on an A/C manifold gauge set from a parts store. Often times, they will lend one to you. That way, we can check both the low and high-pressure sides.

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, it worked hours later. This whole thing is odd. When I went to bed it wasn't working. When I bled it, I got it down to about 80, but it shot right back up to 120.

Hi,

That is strange. So, you had it at 80 psi and then it went back to 120? Is that after starting the vehicle? If that is the case, either we have a blockage, or the compressor is failing.

At this point, we really need to see the high side pressure as well to compare. Do you think you could get the gauges from a parts store? Usually, they lend them out to people.

Let me know.

Joe