97 Ram 1500 4x4 A/C probs

[ryanrussell8]

hi guys, i am new here...and enjoy the imput on your talks....however i have yet to see anyone having the problem i am having...so here goes..

the a/c clutch is engaging every 8 seconds...low pressure line is cool...went to re-charge the sysyem and it was full...have diagnosed that the pcm is working properly..as well as the circuit relay...the high pressure switch has continuity...as far as the low pressure switch...i jumped it with a wire...with no change in the temperature in the cabin...however i do not have a manifold pressure gauge set to determine the psi between the low pressure port and the high preassure port..

the repair manual said that why i have the jumper wire on the low pressure switch...that i shoud have continuity between the 2 terminals on the "low pressure cycing clutch switch" is this th harness coming off the clutch?

ive seen no evidence of any leaks. ive not gotten to the evaperator & filter...or the blend door....this is a 97 dodge ram,1500,4x4,360.5.9l,. has manual climate controls...only the blend door is electric acuated.

i have yet to see an expansion valve or orifice & dont know why the low pressure line is cool comming out of the condenser at the low pressure line along side of the passenger side hood until it goes into firewall

in cab i have no cold air what-so- ever..and have not felt anywhere that the low pressure line is ice cold...just cool.and wondering why it is cool wher it is...hmmm....

...think you guys can help??? sure hope so...starting to get hot...and the little women is getting very frustrated on me spending night and day on this truck!! HA

[Airjer_]

How do you know it is full?

Sounds to me like it is low.

[ryanrussell8]

Thank-you for your response. I purchased a recharge kit and using the guage in closed position, truck running,a/c high,recirculation, cold. I got a perfect charge reading.
However, as I stated before, since the clutch is engaging every 7 seconds at 3 second intervals(not proper opperation) the gauge is reading perfect for 3 seconds every 7 seconds.
Now, by placing a jumper wire on the low pressure switch located on top of the accumulator/drier, the clutch is now staying engaged(proper opperation) and the gauge is consistantly reading perfect charge.
This is where my problem starts...I now notice that..the line coming directly out of the bottom of the condensor, coming straight to the charge port(where I am with gauge connected)and then leading straight through the firewall into the cab, is freezing up immediatly!! This is a problem right?
This would explain why the clutch is disengaging so quickly...it is protecting the system. Right?
Why, is the line that I call the low pressure service port line....or liquid line...comming directly from the condensor(where it is the coldest) freezing up so fast?
Also, why is it going directly into the cab? To the evaporator? Whithout first going to the accumulator/drier? The line coming out of the cab right next to it...is going to the accumulator/drier and then back to the compressor.
I had to know!! So, like a complete dumb-axx I decided to go "Dashboard Diving" I now have a new cup holder in the middle of my dashboard where it is thin and hard and way to freaking brittle!!! It was a total nightmare....I spent hours getting the dash out..only to find the HVAC system sitting there totally ineccessable. I couldn't see where the freezing line was coming in..and the other lin going out...only where the two heater hoses come in.
At this point I gave up....Hours later....cracks and a hole in my dash...and hundreds of screws...in which I still have about 15 left over I had had enough.

Since I am a die hard....and not a quiter...If any of you have a solution...I would be happy to hear...hell I went this far. I am thinking clog in accumulator..or bad low pressure switch....but don't know 4-sure.

Sorry 'bout the book...just wanted to be specific...and I am bored and lonley now...so talk to me...need a solution...thanks!!

[PONY RIDER]

would say that if a new low pressure switch is installed, you need someone eslse to rev motor to 2000 rpms while checking the charge. if to much unit will freezeup and to low will freezeup.

[angus10]

If the compressor does not keep running, it is not charged all the way. When you jump the low pressure switch it keeps running correct?