Well last fall my AC stopped getting really cold, and I never got around into messing with it until this week. I bought one of those recharge kits and checked the pressure, it was low (maybe 10psi or so) so I put some R134 in to bring it up to 25 psi.

This didn't seem to solve the problem, so I got under the car and saw that the compressor clutch wasn't engaging. After some searching around here I decided to pull the battery terminal off to reset the PCM in case I had the code that was keeping the compressor from kicking on.

Well that worked, and the compressor clutch now engages, but no cold air. Once I got the compressor running I checked the pressure with the recharge kit and it was very low, so I tried to add more R134 while the compressor was running, and the pressure never went up. When I turned off the car and checked the pressure again, it was really high (above 40 psi).

I guess I'm going to have to break down and take it somewhere to get it fixed, but I'd like to know what you all think is the problem so I don't get screwed. Does this sound like a bad compressor, or is something plugged up in the system?

Thanks.

 

possibly plugged, the pressure will always be higher with the compressor not running too. 134A always seems to take forever to fill as well. Have you tried buying another can to try adding more? I have run into a few that just would not take every last drop from the can and have to waste some, change cans, and go again. Dont take it to the shop just yet. If it is taking some and holding it, you should be able to finish it yourself. Let us know what you find out with it.


Are you sure the can wasnt empty? Sometimes they will take it quickly and with the gauges, it feels like theres some left, and there still may be a little left, but not much.... Hope you get it goin. Try one more can before you pay somebody else too much.

Also, i dont remember how exactly, but you can ground out the pressure switch and force the compressor to run, allowing you fill the system easier. Do some searches, and be careful.

 

When the compressor was running the gauge on the recharge kit said pretty much 0 psi, and I was able to add most of the first can while it was running (the kit I bought has 2 cans), but the pressure never went up while filling it with the compressor on.

When I turned the car off the pressure read really high, in the "Danger" area on the recharge kit gauge, so I figured I put too much in, and let some out to get the pressure back down to the green on the recharge kit.

Should I have kept putting more in while the compressor was running until it showed full while it was running? I was a little worried that I was going to overpressure the system and blow something.

 

Yes, you always check and add while compressor is engaged. Check any car with the compressor off and it will be in the danger zone. Hopefully you dont have any leaks and can get it filled. You might also try changing the core inside the fill port. Check with your local parts store for the correct one. **DO this at your own risk.** If there is anything in the system, It will be lost, and will spray you. If you've got the extra $$ take it and have the refrigerant pulled out professionally, then you can change what ever parts you need to safely. Might call around and see what most places are charging for this and see what they will charge to flush the system while they have it.
Let us know what ya find out. You should be able to tell if there is a problem by adding another can while its running. --- The only reading that matters is while the compressor is engaged.--- If you want I can explain how the system works in a little more detail.

 

I didn't know the pressure would read that high while the engine was off. I'll keep adding while the compressor is running until I get a pressure reading.

Any idea what the pressure should be when the compressor is off?

I'm sure it was empty before I started filling, how much does it take to fill one of these cars up?

Thanks again for the help.

 

Ok, so I finally got the thing filled up and its blowing colder air now, but it doesn't seem to get ice cold. When I drive it with the AC on for a while it will sometimes blow colder than other times.

I've read in other threads that this can be caused by air getting in the system, and once you have a leak you should replace some of the parts because they get exposed to air. I think it was the dryer or something that needed to be replaced.

 

if its empty its got a leak. you need a set of ac gages to determine the correct pressures both high and low sides. the operating pressures of a 134 system should be at say 80 degrees is about 70 on the low side and 230 on the high. home remedies and back yard charging usually doesn't work out to well . and if the leak gets big enough you'll never get the correct charge.charge amount is crucial in the proper operation of the system and just dumping cans of freon into it is just a waste.F.Y.I. letting it out"venting" of freon of any type is illegal and you could be fined up to 10,000 dollars and the person who turns you in could receive a 10,000 dollar reward so be careful you never know who's watching. first it has to be leak checked and a vacuum pulled on the system. then after the system is dry and and leak free then the proper weight charge can be added. yes a new receiver/ dryer should be installed along with a new orifice screen ac systems are temperamental things that probably should be left to an experienced tech