Caravan A/C

The A/C unit in my 2001 Dodge Caravan is not working...can't even hear it cycling. Can anyone tell me if being very low in freon (or whatever its called these days) would keep the pump from kickingin??
Many thanks
Lansdowne

The simple answer: Yes!

The A/C system has pressure sensors that disengage the compressor clutch when system pressures are too high or too low.

The gas used in a refrigeration system is generically called "refrigerant". "Freon" was the trademark name for the old R-12 refrigerant used in automotive A/C systems prior to the early 1990's. Your van uses R-134a refrigerant.

Unless you are really sure of what you are doing, have the A/C system checked by a professional shop. They can best tell you if you are just low, have a leak or any other internal problem. These systems can hurt you or even kill you if you don't know what you are doing.

Let us know what you do and what you find.

Thanks,..that sounds like good advice.
Cheers.....Lansdowne

KManiac, thank you for teh above reply. I think your it has answered questions that I have about my AC. To be sure, I have asked them anyway.

I just bought a 1997 Caravan. The air conditioner (AC) does not run. The light on the AC button lights but the AC relay and clutch do not pull in.

If you look down on the relay socket, the connections are:

At the top center: L1 = Coil, one end

Under L1: C = Common (arm) contact.

To the right of C: NC = Normally closed contact

To the right of NC: NO = Normally open contact

Below C, NO, and NC, in the center: L2= Coil, other end


The relay and fuse are good and the relay is getting 12 V ( 12 V on L1 and L2).

If I connect the C and NO contacts, the clutch pulls in.


Does the AC ON/Off switch connect directly to coil L1 or L2? Which? Or does the coil get power from some module, which could be bad?

When I connected the C and NO contacts, the clutch pulled in. The air delivered was not cold. If the system is low or has no refrigerant, would something sense that and prevent the relay and clutch from pulling in?

Will the AC run if the temperature control slider is set so that warm air is being delivered?

Thanks to those who took the trouble to reply to this amateur. I had the system checked and it needed to be recharged. Therte apparently is a leak somewhere but the technician could not immediatly find it. As of now, however, the system is running as it should and churning out nice cool air.
++++++++++
Now...for a question about a different matter:
It seem I get a strange noise ( like a fairly loud "snap") when I put the van into gear and either back up or go ahead....AFTER the vehicle has sat for quite a long period of time..as in several hours.
I hear the sound just the one time when I start to back up or go ahead.
I do not use the parking brake...and I have tried coasting the vehicle while in neutral and it does coast so I ASSUME a brake is not sticking. In theory could I be wrong and a shoe be sticking or something like that? The sound appears to be coming from the back of the van.
A bearing wouldn't make that sort of sound would it???
As I noted...... I have been driving cars for years but have precious little knowledge of what makes them tick.
Thanks to all you gents for help and suggestions in the past
Lansdowne

HI,
You may have a leak in the evaporator coil, mounted inside the duct work in front of the fan assembly, under your dash. IF this is the problem AND your vehicle is fairly new / low mileage, have it checked / changed by a pro.
I know this because I did mine myself, KNOWING enough about A/C units to be able to do so.
I found out just how complicated a dash assembly is in these new vehicles.
NOT FUN TO WORK ON !!!
Trust me on this.
Good luck,
Horacemac