A/C Issues

[94_302]

Well my A/C has gotten less and less cool lately. Today it was bad, It was almost cooler running the vent at noon here in miami, than running the A/C. So my dad picked up a recharge kit while I was at work and we just checked the low side, by the drivers side strut. It fluctuated between 25 and 60. On the manual it says fluctuation in that area you dont ad anything to it and to get it checked out by a professional. I figured it just needed a refill since as far as my father and I can remember its never been changed. Im hoping that at 36k miles I dont have any major issues any suggestions before we take it to a mechanic?

 

[NotQuik]

could be a low pressure switch from what i've read on here. someone with more experience will chime in and help i'm sure.

 

[SeventyMach1]

25-60 psi on the low side? Yeah, I wouldn't put any refrigerant in there. I think 25 to like somewhere around 50 or 55 psi is normal charge.

Does the compressor like to cycle on and off? -- like every 10 seconds?

Try to inspect all of the components. Look at you condenser. Make sure that the fins aren't bent/clogged.

I'm sure someone else will chime in to actually help. I wouldn't take it to a shop (expensive) when you can do everything at home with a little patience. (everything except discharge, of course)

 

[SeventyMach1]

could be a low pressure switch from what i've read on here. someone with more experience will chime in and help i'm sure.

I've heard some others talk about that, too. I'd check into it....

 

[illwood]

There was a pretty good thread on AC in the Fox forum a little while ago.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=559388

jrichker knows his stuff on AC so it might help to PM him.

 

[mo_dingo]

Did you have to add any refridgerant? If you did, you have a leak, fix it.

If you didn't, then you need to take the system to a vacuum, and suck everything out. Your evaporator orifice may be slightly clogged. Take it to a vacuum, add oil and refridgerant and see what happens.
Scott

 

[CBZGT50]

Doesn't it seem that the one thing you want doesn't work when it is hot and humid. I live in St Louis, and summers here are just like Miami with less rain.

My A/C is doing the exact thing that yours does. I'd rather take the wifes car to run errands because the A/C jams! The A/C is cold but not cold enough.

I'd like to know too about this issue before I spend tons to have some dude change some switch and charge me like $250 or something stupid.

Does anyone know if changing the switch relieves the pressure? Do they have to drain it first and then change the switch.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Doesn't it seem that the one thing you want doesn't work when it is hot and humid. I live in St Louis, and summers here are just like Miami with less rain.

My A/C is doing the exact thing that yours does. I'd rather take the wifes car to run errands because the A/C jams! The A/C is cold but not cold enough.

I'd like to know too about this issue before I spend tons to have some dude change some switch and charge me like $250 or something stupid.

Does anyone know if changing the switch relieves the pressure? Do they have to drain it first and then change the switch.

No it doesn't. Changing the switch is like a 10 second job and the part only cost me $22. You can try to bypass the switch with a piece of wire, the compressor should kick on full time and if the switch is bad you will have ice cold air blowing.

NOTE: Only run the compressor with the switch bypassed for a short amount of time (just enough time to see if your car is blowing cold AC)

 

[94-302-vert]

or maybe even use an ohm meter to monitor if the switch is switching first.

to me it sounds like a possible low charge or blocked orifice condition. Is the compressor kicking on and off as the pressure fluctuates?

 

[94opalgt]

well i dont know about st.louis or miami but here in the rust belt,ohio,you can take your car to have it checked to see whats wrong for nothing,they tell you whats wrong with it and give you a price to fix it.then if its to much you can fix it yourself.

 

[Steeda90GT]

to me it sounds like a possible low charge or blocked orifice condition. Is the compressor kicking on and off as the pressure fluctuates?

This is whats happening to me. I tried to charge and it wouldnt accept it, if it's a blocked orifice condition then how do I fix it? Also how much should it cost to be repaired from a professional??

 

[94-302-vert]

I have seen prices locally to have the refigerant completly evacuated and re-charged for like $90...

that was at a dealership too. I would try calling around...