AC stopped working

[creeper]

Freon pressure is right where it should be, so I don't think there's a leak, but it's blowing hot air. Is this a compressor problem most likely?

I've never taken my car to a mechanic and would like to avoid it if possible, but I feel like this one is beyond me

any ideas/input?

[Green_Phoenix_LT1]

Could be the HVAC control unit. Mine was doing that (heat only blowing cold) not sure if yours is vacuum controlled or electrical but could be a place to start. Also is your A/C compressor kicking on? If its not I would check the fuse and/or the A/C belt.

[creeper]

well now it looks like I'm low on freon. pressure reads 0 with the AC on full blast, I guess it's too low since the compressor is not engaging anymore. the cruise control still works fine so I would think the fuse is good.

[greenformula92]

yeah standing presure is different from kick on presure....if you have enough to kick it on sometimes when it kicks its not enough to keep is kicked...i would recomend a shop only because they will evac it first and then fill it.

[creeper]

yeah but when it was indeed kicking on it was still blowing hot air, would that mean the compressor needs to be replaced? if it has enough pressure to engage and stay on I feel like it should blow at least cool air

[MyFirstZ]

it can have enough to kick on but still be low enoguh to not blow cold. At rest the pressures should read about 10 degress below ambient temp depending on humidty.

Other wise you are looking for 30-40psi on the low pressure side while its pumping. What are your pressures when it is running. If both high and low pressures are low, more likely just a leak and needs to be recharged and have dye put in it. If it was a compressor your low side pressure would be high and you would have a low high side pressure.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

Might want to keep an eye on this thread.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/1302449-ac-blowin-warm-air-coolest-setting.html

[creeper]

thanks for the link, I saw that just after it was posted

MyFirstZ, at the moment the low side is reading 0 just sitting, and never kicks in, don't have a gauge for the high side. I added a bit of refrigerant so that it was at the top of the recommended pressure range (according to the can I bought) just to see, and the compressor started making all sorts of ticking/tapping sounds. I figured that meant there was too much in there so I slowly let it out, which made the ticking stop, and the compressor was still running, but still blowing hot. I haven't touched anything since but now it's not even engaging.

would it be worth it to recharge with a dye and refrigerant and see if I have a leak? orrr just find a used compressor reasonably priced and do both at the same time?

[MyFirstZ]

I love my A/C but i am also cheap lol, they have the fliers out there for recharges for under 100$


im trying to figure out what you can do without going to a shop. It is kinda of difficult without a proper gauge to measure both sides.

After you filled it and it starting making noise, did you notice the pressure?

Sounds like it mechinically failed but if that was the case it should still try and engage unless the magnetic clutch went when you tried filling it and that was the noise you heard. I am sure you know it is hard to diagnose over the internet but i am just telling you what i know.

Even by getting a new compressor installed you still have to have it evacuated and a vacuum pulled to remove as much moisture in the system (trust me it will greatly help the systems cooling effect) and the proper amount of oil charged back in the system.

The quickest way to tell is get the system evacuated, and recharged if it still does not engage it is probably the compressor by the noise you heard and not electronically for the same reason since it engaged but still blew warm air

[greenformula92]

the comepressor in my car is shot anyways so ive been sweating it out lol.

it sounds to me like you have plenty of preasure, but its just air no R-134. the way a shop does it is that they suck all the air out of the system and then refill you with a mix of R-134 and some oil for the compressor and they fill it to the the preasure indicated by the manufactuer

[MyFirstZ]

possbile, still means there is a leak in that case no other way for air to get in a closed system

[Green_Phoenix_LT1]

Creeper where are you located? The shop by me does a full evac and charge including dye injection for 95.18 including tax and it only took them 45 min. 08081 is the locale.