cree524

A/C unit cycles, gauge on refill can reads in the red, without adding anything. Air still is not cold.
What should I be looking for next?

steelblitzkrieg

Unless it's one I haven't seen before Red = too low or too high. Every one I've seen has Green as the target area.

Are you doing this with the engine running and the A/C on High? You should be, if not.

HMX-1

Sounds like a blend door issue. Typical on the 3rd gen trucks. Both my kid's '04 and my wife's '06 have had it.

Do a search on the forums here, there are a few ways to fix it without paying the dealer roughly 1200 to fix it.




-Kris

cree524

yes, a/c running on high. canister needle goes all the way to 3 o'clock, deep into the red.

cree524

thanks, I have come across the blend issues on the forum. Didn't realize it was the same symptoms.

swampdiesel

Same issues here. Clutch engages, very high pressure on the low side (pegged), would not accept anything out of the charge bottle. Cab vents blow with plenty of volume but its not cold. Would that still be considered a blend door issue? Also- the clutch engages when you turn on AC but does not cycle- is this due to the fact that the cab is not being cooled and it's laboring to do so?

Update: removed glovebox to check blend door- is functioning properly.
Update: checked codes with keyswitch method- no codes. Fan worked properly (appears to be).

Spooler

You need a full set of gauges. You need to know what the high side and the low side is reading. You could have a restriction in the orifice tube from a shelled out compressor. You could also have air in the lines. Do you have condensation on the dryer?

swampdiesel

No condensation on the dryer. I probably will not be able to make the repair myself but am trying to troubleshoot as much bs as possible before taking it in. That way I know what it may need and not get ripped.

7707

Mine started this yesterday. Literally like someone flipped a switch it happened so fast.

I'm getting cool...but nowhere near cold air.

Won't accept charge...can shows in red when hooked up...when I pull trigger gauge on can drops to 0.

drier is moist, compressor is on, air volume is fine.

I know I have door issues as I've lost all volume a couple times then it comes back after shutting system down for a few minutes but this doesn't act like that at all.

Picked a GREAT time to act up...no money...hotter than hades outside.

jmlcolorado

Verify the fan clutch is operating properly. My fan clutch went out and I had similar symptoms. Clutch was replaced, still no good. Wiring issue somewhere.
Watch temps on a hot day in traffic to see if they raise above normal.
Sometimes it's hard to tell if the fan is working right as it's fully variable viscious, so the clutch only engages what it needs. If temps are raising and you don't gear the fan, chances are the clutch or signal for the clust is the culprit.

swampdiesel

Fan clutch engages, and the wire leading to it seems to be fully intact. Ive heard that can be a problem.

7707 described exactly what is happening.

Clogged orifice tube? I have no idea where/what that is, but seems to be an issue that recurs in these threads.

Taking it in tomorrow regardless. Any last info?

swampdiesel

Said they needed to evac and refill with dye. $150ish. Darn-it!! I didn't let 'em do it though, have to wait until next week. Is that a common test? All the info has been great so far thanks a lot, any more is GREATLY appreciated!!!

Spooler

Yes, that is the first step.

7707

Luckily (yeah right) my compressor started to talk LOUDLY so I knew then that was the problem.

$800 later with new compressor, accumulator/drier, orifice tube and a 1 year 12K mile warranty...she's cold as ice.