A/C questions and help.

[spacemonkey]

I need some help with my a/c system. I have searched but not found what I was looking for. My a/c has not been cooling the greatest lately.Today I put a guage on the low side port by the driver side strut tower. With the a/c on max and hi the guage drops to 24 when the compressor kicks on then jumps to 60-65 when it kicks off.The compressor keeps kicking off and on.It cools ok on the highway.Not so great in town.Can anyone give me any leads on what to to check?I don't know crap about a/c systems

 

[HISSIN50]

Welcome to the boards. At what PSI does the compressor kick off? It should be just under 20 PSI IIRC. It sounds like you simply might be a little low on charge. Seeing the high-side pressure and knowing your ambient temps would make it easier to decipher.

Good luck.

 

[spacemonkey]

Thanks for the welcome.I was thinking that it needed a charge. The compressor kicks off between 20-24 PSI.I was going to add a can but when I seen the psi jump up and down when the compressor kicked on and off I decided I better ask.

 

[HISSIN50]

With the compressor engaged, the low side gets pulled down. When the charge is low, it gets pulled down quickly and too much, and the low pressure cycle switch prematurely kicks the compressor off. Once this occurs, the two sides (low and high) start to find equilibrium - this is why the low side pressure floats back up to 60 PSI. It's normal.

 

[Methodical]

Sounds like you know what you are doing. But just incase - you know to charge on the low pressure side - fitting just before the compressor. Also, when I charge I use a water hose to spray the AC condensor to bring the high pressure side down since I don't have a large fan to cool things down. Also, I charge a can and then let it run for about 2 minutes to allow the psi to stabalize. Just One Man's Opinion.


Let us know how it turns out plus it's good for future researchers in need of AC help
Al

 

[go-stang5.0]

yea what they said...I believe there's also a specific range that the static pressure is supposed to be in. That is, with the system off and the pressure equalized in the system you should have I think around 80 psi maybe a bit more (dont quote me on that). Also, this may seem stupid but wash off your condenser with a hose gently. There could be crud in the fins, etc.

 

[spacemonkey]

Well.I went and got a can of 134a.As soon as I turned the valve on the hose the compressor kicked in and stayed on. I put in the whole can 12oz. Stopping to check pressure.I used a blower fan on the condensor. Now she blows ice cold .Pressure is 35psi and holding now.Should I grab another can and take it close to 45psi or leave it?Thanks for the help.
Jason

 

[HISSIN50]

If your compressor is staying on almost non-stop (high duty cycle), I'd leave it. There's a point of diminishing returns when you start to overpressurize/overfill the system.

 

[spacemonkey]

Thanks HISSIN. I just left one of my kids Baseball games and it was cold in no time.Its the first time this summer i had to turn it down from high.

 

[HISSIN50]

Thanks HISSIN. I just left one of my kids Baseball games and it was cold in no time.Its the first time this summer i had to turn it down from high.

Thanks for gloating. Those of us in Arizona are collectively making faces at you.