A/C gettin kind of weak.

[32ValveRom]

Hey gang, I've sorta have this issue with my 99 cobra. Basically, it feels like it's losing its coolness. I had a friend of mine recharge about a month ago but for some reason that didn't help. The air that comes out is a little bit cool but kinda sorta feels like I'm just riding around with the vent open without a/c.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Two kinds of work I never do are exhaust and a/c. I would take that car to a shop if I were you.

 

[Stark77]

If you have long tube headers, check your Liquid Line / Orifice tube. Mine JUST melted about 2 weeks ago. It melted while driving, leaked all the R134A out, then sealed itself when it cooled down. Wouldn't hold refrigerant for more than a day - obviously.

 

[jgorm]

Two kinds of work I never do are exhaust and a/c. I would take that car to a shop if I were you.

Why? AC is super easy. Just buy the can for $15 and pop the fitting on while the car is running. Its pretty much idiot proof (fitting wont fit on the wrong side). It takes about 10 min to load the entire can in. I did this on a couple vehicles and it worked great. Took the AC from WARM to cold as hell.

 

[1987stangman]

Hey gang, I've sorta have this issue with my 99 cobra. Basically, it feels like it's losing its coolness. I had a friend of mine recharge about a month ago but for some reason that didn't help. The air that comes out is a little bit cool but kinda sorta feels like I'm just riding around with the vent open without a/c.

Check the basics first! When the A/C is set to on do you see the A/C compressor running? Could just be the low pressure switch (or high, my 96' GT has a low and a high). If the compressor is not running (engaging) it could be low on 134a, pressure switch is bad, or the compressor is shot. Buddy of mine at work had the same symptoms and took it to a couple shops around town and got quotes for repair, all of the shops told him the compressor was bad and that it would cost him 6 or 700.00 to fix. I offered to look at it for him since I have the tools and it turned out to just be a 12$ pressure switch.

If your the mechanical kind of guy:

You can unplug the low pressure switch, located on the top of the accumulator and use a single piece of wire to jump the compessor if it engages check the inside of the car and see if it is blowing cold, if so you have a bad switch.

 

[Steve491]

Very seldom can you fix an AC system by shooting in a $15 can from the local auto parts store. It might help for a while, but that's just a temporary fix.
Like Stangman said, If the compressor is not engaging jump the low pressure switch connector for a brief moment and see if the clutch works. If it doesn't, check for voltage at the clutch connector. If you have voltage the clutch is bad. If you don't, check the AC fuse and go back a couple of steps. If the clutch does click on with the switch jumped out then it's either the switch itself or a low charge. You'll need some guages to determine the charge/blockage in your system. If it's completely void of freon then you'll have to repair the leak, replace the dryer, completely evacuate the system, leak test it, and charge it. Personally I would replace the orfice tube and flush the system while it's open.
Of course you could always go to Autozone and get a can of freon with leak seal/dye and screw the system up worse.
Just my opinion after working on several AC systems new and old.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Why?

Because fixing a/c requires too many specialized tools and too much specialized knowledge for me to do it properly.

 

[jgorm]

Very seldom can you fix an AC system by shooting in a $15 can from the local auto parts store. It might help for a while, but that's just a temporary fix.

I must be lucky. I've done it to 3 vehicles over the years and it brought each AC back to 100%. I have the connector so i just buy the $4 can. If i have to pump one in every year or 2 it beats spending any more time or money finding the actual leak.

 

[1987stangman]

I must be lucky. I've done it to 3 vehicles over the years and it brought each AC back to 100%. I have the connector so i just buy the $4 can. If i have to pump one in every year or 2 it beats spending any more time or money finding the actual leak.

Your right about that. If it only leaks out every summer it's no biggie but it really does not take much to dye a system and use a UV light to find a leak. O-rings are a big culprit, but most of the time it ends up being a bad hose.

 

[Mstg05]

Why? AC is super easy. Just buy the can for $15 and pop the fitting on while the car is running. Its pretty much idiot proof (fitting wont fit on the wrong side). It takes about 10 min to load the entire can in. I did this on a couple vehicles and it worked great. Took the AC from WARM to cold as hell.

This is NOT good advice at all. The cans you buy over the counter contain sealants that WILL lead to premature failure of A/C components. Being a ford tech, I have fixed my share of backyard mechanics a/c "repairs". Using that crap is like using fix a flat to attempt to perminantly fix a tire, its just not happening. Unless you know what you're doing, save yourself time, money and a huge headache and just take it to a professional.