A/C problems
sreilly77
04-13-2006, 02:24 PM
since today it is in the 80s for the first time, i decided to give my air conditioner a try. didnt turn out well. the air comin out is somewhat COOL, but not nearly COLD. the air compressor just kicks on for 4 seconds, then off. then when like 5 seconds goes by, it kicks on again for 4 seconds, then off again. and it will keep repeating this cycle over and over again. the entire air condition system was replaced a year ago. may be it just needs a charge? the heater core was replaced not that long ago. i dont know if that is playing a role in my air condition problems. some opinions would be appreciated. thanks
Towncar
04-20-2006, 03:10 AM
Clueless on AC stuff :)
Just post whoring :) Also, didn't like to see your post go down with a zero replies.
Just post whoring :) Also, didn't like to see your post go down with a zero replies.
sreilly77
04-20-2006, 05:43 AM
Clueless on AC stuff :)
Just post whoring :) Also, didn't like to see your post go down with a zero replies.
haha thanks. yeah i'm not very savy with air condition components. i think it needs to be charged or there is a bad switch because i keep hearing this faint tap sound right before the compressor kicks on. o well, gas is $3.00 around here so i don't think i'm going to be using the A/C anyway hahaha.
Just post whoring :) Also, didn't like to see your post go down with a zero replies.
haha thanks. yeah i'm not very savy with air condition components. i think it needs to be charged or there is a bad switch because i keep hearing this faint tap sound right before the compressor kicks on. o well, gas is $3.00 around here so i don't think i'm going to be using the A/C anyway hahaha.
Towncar
04-20-2006, 10:26 AM
.,..o well, gas is $3.00 around here so i don't think i'm going to be using the A/C anyway hahaha.
Yeah we just hit the $3.00 mark around Los Angeles yesterday. Don't ya just love the "no new taxes" administration :)
Yeah we just hit the $3.00 mark around Los Angeles yesterday. Don't ya just love the "no new taxes" administration :)
junk yard doggie
04-20-2006, 10:35 AM
Hello
Sounds to me like you are low on charge. When the ac clutch keeps engageing and disengaging in short cycles like that, it usually indicates a low charge condition. What you might try is jumpering the psi switch and see if starts blowing cold again, could be a bad psi switch. That switch is located on the round black canister neer the coolent jug, passenger side firewall area. The switch has two wires going to it. That test will usually tell you if the system is working properly even if it is low on charge, unless it is completely empty. Really the best way to check the charge condition is to put a guage on the system, shouldn't have less than 25 psi on the low side. It's good to have those guage when recharging just so you don't over charge the system. You can buy them at most auto parts stores.
My 91 TC's ac clutch was contantly cycling short like that, so I just disconnected the ac compressor connector. This summer I will dig into that and the the system back up again. She is a work in progress and I work on it when I have some spare time. Good luck with geting the ac working again on your car.
Mike
Sounds to me like you are low on charge. When the ac clutch keeps engageing and disengaging in short cycles like that, it usually indicates a low charge condition. What you might try is jumpering the psi switch and see if starts blowing cold again, could be a bad psi switch. That switch is located on the round black canister neer the coolent jug, passenger side firewall area. The switch has two wires going to it. That test will usually tell you if the system is working properly even if it is low on charge, unless it is completely empty. Really the best way to check the charge condition is to put a guage on the system, shouldn't have less than 25 psi on the low side. It's good to have those guage when recharging just so you don't over charge the system. You can buy them at most auto parts stores.
My 91 TC's ac clutch was contantly cycling short like that, so I just disconnected the ac compressor connector. This summer I will dig into that and the the system back up again. She is a work in progress and I work on it when I have some spare time. Good luck with geting the ac working again on your car.
Mike
most_wanted192000
04-20-2006, 11:22 AM
Yeah it could be that switch i've had to replace that before, or it could need a quick charge. Well down here in south texas it's been over 100 the past couple of days and the a/c helps alot but i might be thinking about leaving the windows down and easing off my foot more. Man towncar the "no new taxes" administration is killing my wallet! Now we havent hit 3.00 yet but we are pretty soon and when that happens i might consider riding a bike :S
sreilly77
04-20-2006, 07:52 PM
thanks for all the help. im gonna check the pressure to see if i have a charge or not. someone told me today that it could be a psi switch but when the heater core was replaced, i didnt do it. honestly i didnt have the patience haha. but i remember them saying something about draining out the A/C system of refrigerant? i dont know. ill work on it tomorrow. thanks everyone.
niko851
05-27-2006, 06:44 AM
Yeah we just hit the $3.00 mark around Los Angeles yesterday. Don't ya just love the "no new taxes" administration :)
Can't help but say "AMEN" to the administration comment.... I know I am SO appreciative of how this has helped our gas prices here - and the rest of the country....
Doing an A/C recharge myself on my Camry with the same symptoms; and I concur/agree with Mike's post about the short-cycling. I'm a Mech. Eng. and in my HVAC experience, any compressor that is short-cycling is either going off on the high PSI or low PSI.
A scenario for a high PSI situation would be if there was lack of, or insufficient, air flow across the condenser, such as a fan went out; the compressor will subsequently go off on high limit to protect the system. Same goes with the low - if the PSI is too low, compressor will go off on low PSI to protect the sytem.
Only way to find out is to see what the specs call for as far as a running PSIG and hook a gauge up to your low side (and high if your gauge has the ability). If it is below the specs, then you know your low....
Mine took about a half-can and got it to the recommended spec and now I'm cool as I want to be again. You could easily do this yourself as well, depending on your level of experience more/less. Hope this helps, even though I know it is a little late :)
Niko
Can't help but say "AMEN" to the administration comment.... I know I am SO appreciative of how this has helped our gas prices here - and the rest of the country....
Doing an A/C recharge myself on my Camry with the same symptoms; and I concur/agree with Mike's post about the short-cycling. I'm a Mech. Eng. and in my HVAC experience, any compressor that is short-cycling is either going off on the high PSI or low PSI.
A scenario for a high PSI situation would be if there was lack of, or insufficient, air flow across the condenser, such as a fan went out; the compressor will subsequently go off on high limit to protect the system. Same goes with the low - if the PSI is too low, compressor will go off on low PSI to protect the sytem.
Only way to find out is to see what the specs call for as far as a running PSIG and hook a gauge up to your low side (and high if your gauge has the ability). If it is below the specs, then you know your low....
Mine took about a half-can and got it to the recommended spec and now I'm cool as I want to be again. You could easily do this yourself as well, depending on your level of experience more/less. Hope this helps, even though I know it is a little late :)
Niko
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