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#1
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Air conditioner problem
1999 Explorer Limited, v8, 2wd, climate control, Florida
Yesterday evening when we went out the air didn't seem to be very cool. We didn't go far so I just brushed it off. Today, in the heat of the day, it seemed to be cooler outside the car than in it. I just did minimal investigation, I started the engine and looked at the compressor clutch. The clutch cycled at about 3 second intervals in and out. I disconnected the pressure switch (?hi or low?) and the clutch de-energized completely until I reconnected it. Any ideas before I spend 'big bucks'? TIA, Dave -- Diving is life! The rest is just details. W.W.W.I. |
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#2
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Air conditioner problem
Fast cycling typically indicates low refrigerant charge. Your system has a
leak somewhere. Not unusual for a 7-8 year old vehicle. The proper way to deal with it is to have a professional find the source of the leak, repair and recharge. I will leave improvisation advice to other members of this group... "Dave" > wrote in message news:WU4Gg.11040 .... > I started the engine and looked at the compressor clutch. The clutch cycled at about 3 > second intervals in and out... |
#3
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More on: Air conditioner problem
Dave wrote:
I put a gauge on the low side. At 25lbs the clutch energizes and cuts out at 45 lbs (readings are approximate) still cycling at about 3 second intervals. From here where should I go? TIA, Dave > 1999 Explorer Limited, v8, 2wd, climate control, Florida > > Yesterday evening when we went out the air didn't seem to be very cool. > We didn't go far so I just brushed it off. Today, in the heat of the > day, it seemed to be cooler outside the car than in it. I just did > minimal investigation, I started the engine and looked at the compressor > clutch. The clutch cycled at about 3 second intervals in and out. I > disconnected the pressure switch (?hi or low?) and the clutch > de-energized completely until I reconnected it. > Any ideas before I spend 'big bucks'? > > TIA, > Dave -- Diving is life! The rest is just details. W.W.W.I. |
#4
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More on: Air conditioner problem
Traveler was right , usually low on freon, look for hose connections that
have a oily residue, Check if the clutch is oily etc. Have a a/c mechanic pull a vacuum and if it passes add dye and freon and check after a few days/weeks "Dave" > wrote in message ink.net... > Dave wrote: > > I put a gauge on the low side. At 25lbs the clutch energizes and cuts > out at 45 lbs (readings are approximate) still cycling at about 3 second > intervals. > From here where should I go? > > TIA, > Dave > > > 1999 Explorer Limited, v8, 2wd, climate control, Florida > > > > Yesterday evening when we went out the air didn't seem to be very cool. > > We didn't go far so I just brushed it off. Today, in the heat of the > > day, it seemed to be cooler outside the car than in it. I just did > > minimal investigation, I started the engine and looked at the compressor > > clutch. The clutch cycled at about 3 second intervals in and out. I > > disconnected the pressure switch (?hi or low?) and the clutch > > de-energized completely until I reconnected it. > > Any ideas before I spend 'big bucks'? > > > > TIA, > > Dave > > > -- > Diving is life! The rest is just details. > W.W.W.I. |
#5
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More on: Air conditioner problem
First thing ro do is realize that you cannot diagnose AC concerns from only
low side pressures.... Your low side pressures aren't doing anything abnormal. What is abnormal is the rapid clutch cycling times.... and the most common (but not the only) cause of rapid cycling is a low refrigerant charge... The correct way to proceed from a proper diagnosis of a low charge (using both high and low side gauges), would be to fecover the refrigerant and pull a deep vacuum on the system. Once vacuum reaches ~27 inches, the pump is turned off and the valves closed and we observe the gauges... If and how fast the vacuum drops will have a bearing on our repair strategy. Venting refrigerant of any sort to atmosphere is illegal in my province - something I agree with and will support to my last breath (think about it....). Topping off with cans from Partz R Us has the possibility of causing system damage (especially in the case of a misdiagnosis) or contributing to pollution. While I applaud and even help DIYers with auto repairs (and saving money), some auto repair efforts are inappropriate for those without specialized knowledge and equipment. |
#6
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More on: Air conditioner problem
Jim Warman wrote:
> First thing ro do is realize that you cannot diagnose AC concerns from only > low side pressures.... Your low side pressures aren't doing anything > abnormal. What is abnormal is the rapid clutch cycling times.... and the > most common (but not the only) cause of rapid cycling is a low refrigerant > charge... > > The correct way to proceed from a proper diagnosis of a low charge (using > both high and low side gauges), would be to fecover the refrigerant and pull > a deep vacuum on the system. Once vacuum reaches ~27 inches, the pump is > turned off and the valves closed and we observe the gauges... If and how > fast the vacuum drops will have a bearing on our repair strategy. > > Venting refrigerant of any sort to atmosphere is illegal in my province - > something I agree with and will support to my last breath (think about > it....). Topping off with cans from Partz R Us has the possibility of > causing system damage (especially in the case of a misdiagnosis) or > contributing to pollution. > > While I applaud and even help DIYers with auto repairs (and saving money), > some auto repair efforts are inappropriate for those without specialized > knowledge and equipment. > > Jim, thanks and I wholeheartedly agree! I took it in this morning and, after professional troubleshooting, the problem was determined to be minor..... A minor hole in the evaporator. New evaporator, dryer etc. and I will be able to pick it up this evening! Dave -- Diving is life! The rest is just details. W.W.W.I. |
#7
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More on: Air conditioner problem
Dave... I'm happy for two reasons.... first, you didn't call me a lecturing
bastuhd (even though I can be...).... second, you'll be on the road and COOL for less than you originally figured... Everyone wins!!!! |
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