AC Problem
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54
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From: Irwin PA
AC Problem
Hi,
I've read alot of posts on the topic of AC not working. My problem is i can't find one that sounds like my problem. I have a 99 and my AC does come on but blows warm air. The light stays on and i have no trouble codes. So, i bought a recharge kit and when i hook it up, it says i have about 30lbs of refridgerant when i should have about 55lbs. (based on the temp that day). I tried to add refridgerant but the system won't take it. When you turn on the AC i hear what i believe is the compressor kicking in, and the low side AC line is cold. I believe the high side is not cold/not warm but i'll have to check that one to be sure.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
I've read alot of posts on the topic of AC not working. My problem is i can't find one that sounds like my problem. I have a 99 and my AC does come on but blows warm air. The light stays on and i have no trouble codes. So, i bought a recharge kit and when i hook it up, it says i have about 30lbs of refridgerant when i should have about 55lbs. (based on the temp that day). I tried to add refridgerant but the system won't take it. When you turn on the AC i hear what i believe is the compressor kicking in, and the low side AC line is cold. I believe the high side is not cold/not warm but i'll have to check that one to be sure.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
With the load you already have, the compressor should cycle.
You should be able to see it cycle if you shine a flashlight
on it. If the system is low, the compressor may cycle on and
off until it draws enough new refrigerant in.
One last question - which may or may not apply to you
depending on which recharge kit you got, but when you
punched the can, did you back the punch all the way back
out?
You should be able to see it cycle if you shine a flashlight
on it. If the system is low, the compressor may cycle on and
off until it draws enough new refrigerant in.
One last question - which may or may not apply to you
depending on which recharge kit you got, but when you
punched the can, did you back the punch all the way back
out?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
My '97 blew hot air for a while after I bought it. I did a little sleuthing and found out that someone OVERcharged the refrigerant before I bought it. I had the system evacuated and then added some new refrigerant and it worked great.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
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From: Joppa AL
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 62
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From: Houston TX
SilvaDragon,
Just want to let you know that C5 compressors don't cycle. The C5's are equipped with variable displacement compressors. The compressor changes the displacement (refirgerant flow rate) to regulate the low side pressure to keep the evaporator from freezing up.
An interisting article on variable displacment compressors can be found here.
EMILLE3,
I would take Plasticfan's adivce and check the pressures. A set of gauges is well worth it if you ever want to tackle an AC project yourself. If your system is low on refrigerant then you have a leak somewhere. This will need to be fixed if you don't want to have to keep adding refrigerant in the future. Add in some R134 with dye in it so that you can track down the leak. Good Luck
Just want to let you know that C5 compressors don't cycle. The C5's are equipped with variable displacement compressors. The compressor changes the displacement (refirgerant flow rate) to regulate the low side pressure to keep the evaporator from freezing up.
An interisting article on variable displacment compressors can be found here.
EMILLE3,
I would take Plasticfan's adivce and check the pressures. A set of gauges is well worth it if you ever want to tackle an AC project yourself. If your system is low on refrigerant then you have a leak somewhere. This will need to be fixed if you don't want to have to keep adding refrigerant in the future. Add in some R134 with dye in it so that you can track down the leak. Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
SilvaDragon,
Just want to let you know that C5 compressors don't cycle. The C5's are equipped with variable displacement compressors. The compressor changes the displacement (refirgerant flow rate) to regulate the low side pressure to keep the evaporator from freezing up.
An interisting article on variable displacment compressors can be found here.
Just want to let you know that C5 compressors don't cycle. The C5's are equipped with variable displacement compressors. The compressor changes the displacement (refirgerant flow rate) to regulate the low side pressure to keep the evaporator from freezing up.
An interisting article on variable displacment compressors can be found here.
At least that explains why it was so easy to recharge the system
in my '99 after bolting it all back together. It can easily reach
the 15% threshold of minimum pressure by getting one can of
refrigerant into the system.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54
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From: Irwin PA
Thanks for the feedback. My AC worked fine a few years ago(3-4 years), then last year when i went to use it all i got was warm/ambient air. So i know it wasn't overcharged.
To be honest, i've only put about 3k on the car in the last 3-years due to moving/home remodeling/etc and when i did drive it i enjoy having the windows down as much as possible.
The day i tried this it was very hot and humid out. I'll try to do this again now that it's moderate and see if that works.
Thanks again all for the articles and feedback.
To be honest, i've only put about 3k on the car in the last 3-years due to moving/home remodeling/etc and when i did drive it i enjoy having the windows down as much as possible.
The day i tried this it was very hot and humid out. I'll try to do this again now that it's moderate and see if that works.
Thanks again all for the articles and feedback.
