smartypants

My AC has been inoperative for years and I'm thinking of trying to reactivate it. Over time, it simply got less and less effective and now just blows air the same temperature as the outside air.

I had assumed that the freon had slowly leaked away but when I push in the low pressure value, I get a loud/strong hiss, which means its still pressurized. I'm assuming from that test, I don't have a major leak and that it must be something else. I do know the system will shut off if the freon is low and it still could be low gas is causing the issue.

I've don't have pressure gages to be able the measure the actual PSI of the remaining gas and I may try to recharge the system in hopes it will start working again. Also most recharge kits come with gages so I will at least be able to verify the system pressure.

Does any have any recommendations for recharge kits and can also confirm what gas we have in our cars ?

Also, if anyone has experience in testing the system or can shed some light as to what might be the issue, I would really appreciate it.

I must admit that this area of cars is my least knowledgeable area and I must admit to a certain amount of ignorance.

Any assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

smarty

assclown

iTrader: (1)

when you turn the a/c on, can you hear the clutch engage?

Skirmich

A/C Clutch wont engage if theres no High Pression/Freon Anyway...
Just buy an Autzone refill kit and DIY. Once theres Freon in the System the Clutch must engage, Or not if you Have a different issue.

Our Cars use "R134" freon. The exact PSI needed is in a little label on the Strut Tower in the Passenger side, The label is Silver in color.

smartypants

Compressor engages and the idle drops, another indication of a fully pressurized system.

gold2003tl (90)

i have a fully pressurized a/c system as well. I have the same problem as you, it pretty much doesnt work, slowly deteriorated to almost nothing. not sure if an expansion valve is sticking, or even possibly the vent door under the dash do not open and close properly directing air across the coils. I cleaned the a/c radiator, both inside and out and had no results as well.

any ideas?

Skirmich

Why you dont take into a Dealer?
The full service is around 100 bucks or so, Thats what they charged me about 6 months ago in a Honda Dealer...

They do a Full Flush of Freon and Refill, Clean the A/C Condensor and Finally dust vacuum your Cabin Air Filters! pretty neat.

If theres an Issue you want to find out do the Self Test for the A/C.. I believe it was holding the AUTO + OFF buttons for about 25 seconds.. The LCD should point some marks of "88" numbers.

Type-ES

Turn the AC go and feel the low pressure lines (big) they should be very cold.

Feel the high pressure, they should be hot to warm.

Make sure clutch is engaging and turning the pump.

Make sure its over 40deg, ac won't work if its too cold.

If all that is well you should hook a recovery system and evacuate the system, then vacuum it down to -15. Let it hood for 15 minutes, if vacuum is lost, you will need to find the leak.

If there is no leak ad back the correct amount or refrigerant and look into blend door problem.

gold2003tl (90)

Im going to first look into the blend door problem because iv heard it make some funny noises. Also if i turn on the windshield defogger the system will still blow air out of foot well and front vents. basically not matter what configuration i try to put the vents in it blows air out of all of them, including the windshield. really stinks.

smartypants

My air doors seem to work with the controls, when I set defrost all air goes to the windscreen or when floor heat is selected, it all goes to the floor. I even get the "ozone" smell when I turn on the AC, but no cold air.

I tried the run the climate control diagnostic, the display blanks out and nothing more appears while I hold the Auto & Off buttons down. The manual says nothing will appear if the system passes the tests. I was expecting the "88" to appear at some point but it does not.

My current plan is to buy a $25 can of 134a with a gage on top to see if it might just be a little low on gas. Taking it to the dealer will cost $150 just to find out what's wrong... and then we go up from there. Topping it up will tell me a lot from the gage and from the amount of gas it takes in.

Question...if the gas is low. will the compressor still engage ?

TLer trash

If it's below 30psi or so, it won't engage. If it's above 33psi, but low on charge, it will engage, but cut out when the low side drops below 30psi, and repeat.

smartypants

Hmmmm. I've not checked to see if it stays engaged. In anycase a can of 134a will tell the tale...

jo3lo22

iTrader: (2)

I had this problem and it was the little canister by the hood latch..I ran another ground to it and walla! Compressor kicked in yo!

smartypants

My compressor clutch seems to work just fine, I'm just not sure it doesn't disengage after a few minutes.

Skirmich

Just take it to a (Dealer - A/C Shop) and save you the Headache!
Dealer will leave your A/C System like New! I take it every year for the A/C maintenance and it just Freeze on Traffic/Stop and Go!

totaledTL

He's probably trying to save some $, and/or learn about it-