AC Problem
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
AC Problem
My '96 AC unit frosted up the line between the compressor and the evaporator when I first bought it. I assumed that the refrigerant was low, so got a kit and refilled it. That was in July and it has worked fine all summer. It started doing it again last weekend. On the highway it completely froze up the evaporator - I was getting almost no air into the passenger compartment. After parking it, the ice melted off and had HUGE puddle under the car. My opinion is that there's a leak somewhere, but I'm too ignorant about AC's to know for sure, and, it being the slow season, I don't want to pay for the AC mechanics' Christmas vacation if I don't have to. For you AC folks: I'm going to have to take it to a professional for diagnosis. What should I tell them, and what should I look out for?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
A low charge for your year should shut the system down and generate an error code, so it may be plugged up. The accumulator could be falling apart, a line may be bent, or the orifice could be filled with debris. Depending on how you filled it, there might also be air/water in it and if it was low, then there's a leak somewhere. There's no way to really tell without putting a manifold gage set on it to see what the operating pressures are and a shop should be able to do that much for a minimum fee.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
That's what I needed to know, I think. There's no error code and it cooled great after I filled it, here in la (temps in high 90s). I used a quality fill kit, so there should be no air in it. I'll take it and get a diagnosis, and if it seems out of line, I'll get a second opinion. Thanks.
