I am a novice DIY'er and am wondering if this is something I can take on- I did install a lift pump myself...

I've just discovered that my A/C isn't blowing cold, no matter what setting. The blower is working, just no cold air. How can you tell what the problem is, as far as needing a recharge, compressor, etc. goes?

 

is the compressor even coming on? key on can you hear it engage?

 

Thank you! I went to check it, and no, I did not hear the compressor come on. Are there other reasons for it not to come on other than that it has died and needs replacing?

 

Clutch1 knows more about it than I do, maybe he'll come back on this subject, but I do know that a low charge will not let the compressor cycle on because it can cause comp. damage with the low charge, the oil travels with the freon.

 

the clutch should engage with the key on and a/c switch on. take a quick look at the relays and fuses. if you cant see anything wrong visibly then you need to check voltage at the compressor.

 

pull-do is right, the low charge will not let the compresor come on due to the low pressure switch. which is another thing that may need to be checked.

 

I bought a recharge kit and registered no pressure. Somewhere I read to only charge the system with the compressor running. If no charge leads to the compressor not going on, can you add freon without the compressor on? I thought I also read somewhere that you could force it to go on somehow. What's the logical next step? My neighbor said just take it to the a/c place but I'm dealing with $$ on a new lift pump and relocation kit AND a new exhaust manifold - not ready to incur more for the a/c just yet, but if there's anything else I can do before that, I'd love to know!

 

a recycle,recovery,recharge unit is the only way to force it in the system.

 

Have you tried to add any freon? I would at least see if it will take some. If it doesnt, the best thing to do is take it to a place.
If it is empty, that usually means there is a leak in the system. Freon just doesnt disappear, eventhou a service guy will tell you that.
Hook up your recharge kit and turn the air on high, if it takes the freon, you will hear/see the compressor clutch come on. If it comes on then charge it to the right amount. Make sure your recharge kit comes with a can of oil or oil/freon mix. If you dont add oil you will fry the compressor.
An easy way to find a leak is to look closely at all of the AC hoses and connections. Where it leaks you will see a layer of oil around the fitting. You can also use soapy water and spray everything (only when charged with freon). If you find a leak, you can buy a o-ring kit to replace them.

 

Its likly low on freon and if the comp dont cut in when you feed it freon,look back of the turbo against the firewall theres a cannister,its the reciever dryer,on top of it theres a low pressure switch,there is a connector with 2 wires plugged into this switch,pull the wires off and put a jumper between the 2 wires,that will make your comp run,actually you should, even before you try to add freon jump these 2 wires,if the ac blows cool air then it could be a faulty low pressure switch, but if the air aint cold enough then add freon,but the low pressure switch controls the clutch on the compressor cycling, so you cant add too much or it will never cutout,clutch usually cuts in at approx 40 or so psi and out at approx 25 to 30 psi, otherwise if it runs continuasly in very hot weather it will freeze up, and on the 98.5 and newer there is no way to shut the compressor of in the cab, I installed a switch so I can shut the ac system off completly so if it should freeze up just click the switch to off and it will shut down and thaw itself out in a few minutes.The switch is also nice in the wintertime to shut the ac off completly, the older models had a switch like this to shut it off but in Dodges wisdom they eliminated it in 98.5 and up,reminds me of Fords old slogan-Better ideas from Ford, who knows what the reason was to eliminate the switch,could be some peon thought by changing this little item in the design maybe he'd get a promotion or by saving a $1.00 switch in each vehicle he'd get 50 cents and the co would make 50 more cents.Inqiering minds would like to know.

 

Back to the top,seems to be some interest on this in another thread.