Upon startup my compressor works for about a minute before it begins intermittently popping on and off. Once my car warms up to about 150-170 degrees, the compressor refuses to come on at all.

I took the car to the local A/C shop and the technician told me that the condenser might be clogged which in turn might be causing the pressure in the accumulator to rise to its current 350psi rather than at 250psi where it is supposed to be.

Since then I've cleaned out my radiator and my condenser so the possibility of clogged airflow is no longer a factor. Regardless, the compressor is still acting the same; intermittent at first - then no go.

I DID determine that my front auxiliary fan is not working (at least at under 180 degrees which is how hot the car was when I checked). Since the compressor begins crapping out way down around 150-170 degrees, I don't think the front fan could be a factor (correct me if I'm wrong please).

Ok, so any ideas what might be causing my accumulator to run 100psi too high, thus causing my compressor to kick off as a result? Thanks much for any input :)

 

The only real way to determine whats going on is to get a set of gauges to see what the system pressure is.(You can't trust every mechanic) It could be a blockage with your metering device, it changes the high pressure liquid refrigerant into low pressure liquid refrigerant. But it sounds like you may have some sort of blockage in the high pressure side of the system. The accumulator keeps liquid refrigrant from getting back to the compressor(can't compress a liquid) if I remeber correctly there are is no high pressure cut-out on the low side of the system where the accumulator is located, only a low pressure cut-out switch. The best way to tell is to get a set of gauges on there, thats if u want to spend the money for em. then let me know what you find

 

i agree with Rick, you may also cosider the orafice tube filter could be clogged. If that is the issue you will have to depressureize the system to replace the filter.

good luck
david

 

Gauges tell a lot of what is happening inside the system. the above statements are helpful. The compressor is a pump, constant volume, and what you describe could be due to the refrigerant flowing initially thru the orifice, then if it plugs, the compressor stops pumping gas, lowers the pressure and the low pressure switch would cycle the unit off and on. you said the high pressure relief was popping off...if this is the case then air in the system or an overcharge of the system needs to be investigated and you really need the gauges plus a vacuum pump. the only way to determine the orifice is plugged for sure is to discharge the system and remove it. if you do, put a new one in, evacuate the system, charge with the stated charge and refrigerant and DON'T OVERCHARGE for good measure. good luck

 

Time out :confused: :confused: :confused: the accumulator is on the low side of the system and could not possibly be 250 or even 350psi. If Indeed the high side is 350 you must have a restriction in the high side. typically this is the orfice tube in the condensor inlet. The o tube can clog up from dirt, moisture, seal and metal particle.