Hi guys and gals. So I have a bit of of a weird issue going on. Last weekend while I was pulling some parts from a junkyard my AC suddenly decided to stop working. On the drive to the yard it was blowing cold and it felt great. As soon as I started it up and went back home, the AC was just no longer blowing cold. Thinking that maybe there was a leak, I added more r134. Now not only does it not blow cold, I also get a sort of pulsing idle with the AC on. Its reaching 100 degrees during the day where I am so any help would be appreciated. Right now, my assumption is that the AC compressor grenaded itself and the fan clutch as well.
Sudden AC issues
- Thread starter datrat
- Start date
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sounds like it might be over filled and cutting on and off with over pressure. you should be able to watch the compressor the clutch will engage and disengage. the outer pulley will always spin but the center section will not. only when engaged. rent some gauges to see what he high side is doing at the same time as the low. I've ha mine get heat soaked to the point it quits then comes back after it's been off and cools down.
you also have a 40th so auto climate control? there is a computer that can go bad on that but that doesn't account for the surging
you also have a 40th so auto climate control? there is a computer that can go bad on that but that doesn't account for the surging
I'd guess that by adding more refrigerant, you overcharged the system and the pressure switch is shutting the compressor off, then back on when the pressure drops. This is bad, it will overheat the clutch coil and eventually take out the pulley bearing. Hooking up some gauges will reveal if that's the problem. The sudden failure of the A/C could be due to engine overheating as Kernal stated-the stock temp gauge is notoriously inaccurate, or possibly the expansion valve failed.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for all the help guys. I replaced the main belts (very old) and let out a bunch of refrigerant. Works like a dream. I will still go to a shop to get it honed in, but it is far better now. Now I just need to figure out why the position switches on the ac control unit dont seem to actually do anything lol.
Yeah, its never a good idea to just "add gas" to your system without knowing what's going on. Also, assuming that your compressor and clutch "grenaded" sounds like you better leave this up to the professionals. The engine over heating sounds like the problem to me, and your gauge will tell you nothing. As mentioned in hundreds of threads, the gauge in your truck is about worthless- you need to get an accurate engine temp while it is hot.
For the position switches get in the driver footwell and watch the actuator on the center vent ducts. If it doesn't move, try to find out why. My actuator was locked up and stuck between dash and floor. I took off my actuator and moved the linkages manually and everything worked great. Now I just have to find the actuator to make it work with the buttons.
