Mike1982

Ok, I live in akron, OH and the weather hasn't been to hot this summer except for the last two weeks. I can't take it any more with my a/c that doesn't work. But when I went to check it out myself I am not sure what is wrong with it. I read some of the other post but not sure if I am missing anything. Here is what happens, turn car on a/c off, look to see is compressor is going, no. Turn a/c on, go out to front and see compressor turning but NO change in temperature. I also bought a kit to re-fill the car but that didn't help either. So what should I do? I know the compressor won't kick on unless there is enough gas which the gauge says there is but the blows the same temperture. I need help FAST, my work is about an hour away and with this heat I can't take it. Thanks

Mike S

If you can, try to get PSI readings of the high and low pressure ports. That's a good indication of how full your system really is. I'm guessing that if your readings are within range (~100 low side and ~200 high side) then you have an a/c panel that isn't functioning properly.

Bri Bro

Here is the range with the RPM at 2K, air temp 20C and the compressor running.

Low side = 0.5 to 2.0 bar (7 to 29 PSI)
High side 10-20 bar (140-290)

I like to see a system running around 28 on the low side and 220 on the high side.

Your problem may be in the control flaps that divert the air inside the car. Feel if the low pressure line is cool and the high pressure side is hot. If it is, check the flaps.

Mike S

Are those the factory specs? The numbers I listed came off of my generic R12 install kit and gauge. If those are the correct numbers than my kit is totally wrong...especially on the low side.

pikey7

It's not that ¤#¤%#¤ heater clip is it?

Jeremy Himsel

Mike those are the factory specs that beab951 listed. I've never seen a low side on auto AC that was even close to 100psi and functioning properly. Generally, low side pressures for auto AC should be less then 45psi. 28 psi is a good low side reading for our cars using R-12.

Mike S

Wow! That's scary. My gauge has a colored area in it for R12(low side) it shows 100-120 being ideal. LOL! Not good. Guess I won't be following that.

Mike1982

The guy before me changed it to the 134a and did all the right stuff to get it working. But I don't understand why it isn't blowing cold at all. The compressor is turning, not seized, there is pressure in the system checked with one of the refill gauges. It is in the right range. So what do I do? So I bleed the whole system and put in the exact 134a and oil?? I am not sure what else to do. I really don't want to go spend $50 to just let someone tell me what it is if I can do it.

Jeremy Himsel

A couple of questions that may help you get in the right direction provided that the system is running, the pressures are normal.

1. Does your drier have bubbles in it while the system is running?
2. Is the clip on your mixing door broken?
3. Is the mixing door in the right position (rod in the most upward position)?
4. Is your heater valve defective?
5. Is the low side hard line (the thicker if the two) cool/cold to the touch when running?
6. Is the evaporator/blower motor obstructed?

Answer a few of these and we'll see where we can check next. A real gauge reading would help us a lot in this situation. It's possible that your low side reading may be fine and the high side way high or the other way around.

Mike1982

1. no
2. not sure how to check the mixing door??..
3. same as above
4. how do I check for my heater valve? when I put it on the cold it goes cold and I put on hot it goes hot
5. not sure but I can check, just don't want to run it and break something
6. how do you mean obstructed? How would I check that??

Thanks.

Bri Bro

Did you feel the low/high side line to see if they are working? I have a good diagram of the flaps but make sure you are getting some cooling first.

Mike1982

I will check that on Sunday when I get back from Canada. I am going there with some friends. So don't go away.

Mike1982

Ok, So I checked the cold line for about 2 mins with the air on. The temperture did NOT seem to change at all from where it was. Now what do I do?

Bri Bro

The next step is to bring it to an A/C shop and have them put a set of gauges on the system to see what is going on. It sounds like you have a bad compressor.

Ski

Brian, if the fresh air vents are not closing on the sides of the blower motor, could this be causing all of this? I sorted this out on mine the other day, I got the vents closed(recirc button defective) and got 48-50° air, that was sitting in the driveway. ON the road driving, got her down to 39-42°.