Ac troubleshooting
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Ac troubleshooting
Hello,
I’ve long since had no working ac in my 2000 base c5 and I’d like to change that but I don’t know a whole lot about HVAC.
here’s what I do know,
I used to not be able to change the ac off of defrost and feet but then I found my vacuum leak in the air system hosing and now I can select any ac setting.
i can hear an actuator moving (I think, it makes noise for sure) when I dial the temperature ****
i can see the ac belt moving when I turn on the air and it doesn’t move when I turn the air off
my low pressure connection is over pressure
my ac blows at whatever temperature the engine is at
given this, what do you all recommend? I am a poor college student with a tool box but never worked on AC before
thank you for your time gents 🙏🏻
I’ve long since had no working ac in my 2000 base c5 and I’d like to change that but I don’t know a whole lot about HVAC.
here’s what I do know,
I used to not be able to change the ac off of defrost and feet but then I found my vacuum leak in the air system hosing and now I can select any ac setting.
i can hear an actuator moving (I think, it makes noise for sure) when I dial the temperature ****
i can see the ac belt moving when I turn on the air and it doesn’t move when I turn the air off
my low pressure connection is over pressure
my ac blows at whatever temperature the engine is at
given this, what do you all recommend? I am a poor college student with a tool box but never worked on AC before
thank you for your time gents 🙏🏻
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 935
From: Orlando Florida
From your description of both symptoms and skill level your best step is look through your local coupon mailings for a local shop offering a reduced rate on a system check.
If you are determined to look into yourself, does the A/C light come on and stay on when engaged?
Has the system ever worked since you’ve had the vehicle?
How did you determine the low pressure side is high? Gage set or gage on a can?
If you are determined to look into yourself, does the A/C light come on and stay on when engaged?
Has the system ever worked since you’ve had the vehicle?
How did you determine the low pressure side is high? Gage set or gage on a can?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From your description of both symptoms and skill level your best step is look through your local coupon mailings for a local shop offering a reduced rate on a system check.
If you are determined to look into yourself, does the A/C light come on and stay on when engaged?
Has the system ever worked since you’ve had the vehicle?
How did you determine the low pressure side is high? Gage set or gage on a can?
If you are determined to look into yourself, does the A/C light come on and stay on when engaged?
Has the system ever worked since you’ve had the vehicle?
How did you determine the low pressure side is high? Gage set or gage on a can?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 791
From: Tollesboro Kentucky
Your A/C belt will always turn as it is crank driven.Is the clutch engaging on the compressor?Sounds like it isn't and you are seeing equalized pressure which should be fairly close to ambient temps.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I tried to bleed out the air and put in refrigerant with stop leak but the temperature is still not changing. The pressure is stabilized in the green zone now though at least.
please advise on next step, maybe something else is the issue?
please advise on next step, maybe something else is the issue?
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,426
Likes: 3,979
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Bleed the air out ??...exactly what are you trying to do ??
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
honestly I was throwing spaghetti at the wall, I figured the system is over pressure because it’s nothing but air in it so I held the trigger down on the gauge with no can attached to bleed the air pressure and then I’d add refrigerant when it hit low and rinse and repeat and I went through a decent amount of refrigerant without losing any no obvious leaks and the pressure is no longer in the red but in the green and not moving.
was this a bad idea? Probably but I’m just trying everything I can before I leave for vacation
was this a bad idea? Probably but I’m just trying everything I can before I leave for vacation
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,426
Likes: 3,979
From: Cape Coral, Florida
If you need refrigerant you have a leak...you then have to find and fix the leak...you then have to pull the system into a vacuum with a pump which you don't have and see if you have a leak now...you then have to put the refrigerant into the system using an accurate scale down to the ounce...not one of those cans from the parts store...go on vacation !!...you don't have the tooling nor the knowledge.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
If you need refrigerant you have a leak...you then have to find and fix the leak...you then have to pull the system into a vacuum with a pump which you don't have and see if you have a leak now...you then have to put the refrigerant into the system using an accurate scale down to the ounce...not one of those cans from the parts store...go on vacation !!...you don't have the tooling nor the knowledge.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,426
Likes: 3,979
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 935
From: Orlando Florida
The system isn’t rocket science complex, but a basic understanding takes a bit of study — much like finding and fixing the vacuum leak. There are websites that explain what’s going on and what to look for to help diagnose system issues, but it will probably take several days and the acquisition of task specific tools (gage set, vacuum pump), as well as replacement parts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,353
Likes: 1,125
From: Dyer, IN