A/C Recharge Question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
A/C Recharge Question?
I thought my clutch was shot because it wasn't engadging. Once I jumped the terminals at the low pressure switch it engadged and stayed on. I immediately shut it down as to not fry the compressor. I then restarted with a recharge can of refridgerant in place and filled the system to about 25 lbs as indicated on the gauge that came with the recharge kit. I then shut it down and reconnected the low pressure switch and that is when the clutch began cycling rapidly on and off. What does a rapidly cycling compressor clutch indicate? Air is not coming out cold. Is this a low refrigerant condition? I was afraid of overcharging the system so I stopped at the low end of the filled range. How accurate is the gauge that comes with these kits? Thanks for any help.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
It is cycling because the pressure is still to low, you should be about 40-45 psi on the low side. (134a)
If your not sure Charlie, let me know and maybe I could hook up with you and finish it off for you.
If your not sure Charlie, let me know and maybe I could hook up with you and finish it off for you.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 87
From: Oviedo, FL
You need to evacuate and leak check the system. Just adding freon with the system so low indicates a leak. Now you have moist air/freon circulating in your system. makes for a nasty chemical compound called hydrochloric acid which will eat away your evaporator and condensor. get the system evacuated and leak-checked before you have a big repair bill.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Hard to say if there's air in it - depends on if it was completely empty, whether or not it was leaking on the suction side, whether or not it dropped below atmospheric pressure and how you charged it.
40 psi on the low side translates into a 60 - 65 degree vent temp, so you need to keep it lower for good a/c.
Try renting a manifold gage set or buy one. Obtain the high and low side pressures with the a/c on max, engine at 1200 to 1500 rpms, keep the low pressure switch jumpered, and make sure the main fan is on (if your Vette is '89 or below, disconnect the fan switch on the high pressure line to turn the fan on and keep it on - if it's '90 or above, both fans should be on with the a/c on). Note the outside air temp and post the pressures you get.
40 psi on the low side translates into a 60 - 65 degree vent temp, so you need to keep it lower for good a/c.
Try renting a manifold gage set or buy one. Obtain the high and low side pressures with the a/c on max, engine at 1200 to 1500 rpms, keep the low pressure switch jumpered, and make sure the main fan is on (if your Vette is '89 or below, disconnect the fan switch on the high pressure line to turn the fan on and keep it on - if it's '90 or above, both fans should be on with the a/c on). Note the outside air temp and post the pressures you get.
