1999 Intrigue 3.5L - AC blows, but not cool air

[rick graves]

Hi,

My daughters AC blows air (but not cool air). The condenser doesn't even appear to cycle on and off ......I attempted to add a can of R-134, but it didn't seem to want to take any (tried adding to the nipple next to the firewall). I really don't want to take to it a shop .....last time I did that with my Lincoln they said I needed a new condenser and wanted $700 ..... My brother added R-134 in that car 3 years ago, and it's been fine ever since. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Rick

[duke350]

There are a few reasons the compressor will not turn on. Pressure, oil, power, etc. To check the pressure you need a proper set of gauges to read high and low sides. The black death kits are usually garbage and can cause more damage. You can get a manifold set for as low as $50 if you look around. Probably less. To check the compressor clutch you can manually jump it, but do not leave it like this for long. Just jump it as a check. If the clutch will turn on while manually jumped there is a problem somewhere else and running it long can mess up other parts. Either way, the best thing to do would be to have someone who knows what they are doing look at it and stay away from the black death recharge kits. Or get the manifold set and get some proper readings to help diagnose it.

[harmankardon35]

mine was blowing warm air, but i can not remember if the compressor was cycling on/off. I bought a can of r-12 duracool and it eventually worked, although i wasted a can of it figuring out how it worked. Its a pain in the ass getting the connector on to the low pressure line, really have to push and twist to get it to lock in. Then start the car, A/C on, and twist the bottle opener to puncure the seal and back it off so the compressor sucks it in. 1 can gave me a cold summer.....


Other things are known to go on the A/C units, compressors being a common one.

[rick graves]

Just an update ..............

I got the unit to accept one can and now it blows colder air on the passenger side and outside temperature (or equivalent) air on the drivers side. I'll get another can of R-134 and add, or is this another problem altogether?

Thanks,

Rick

[brcidd]

Your variable stroke compressor will never cycle- it is not as cycling system- but it is still in need of more refrigerant- cooling on passenger side and warm on other is a classic sign of low refrigerant charge--....

[dtownfb]

"Your variable stroke compressor will never cycle- it is not as cycling system- but it is still in need of more refrigerant- cooling on passenger side and warm on other is a classic sign of low refrigerant charge--..."

But what caused the refrigerant to leak??? And will it do it again?

[brcidd]

If you tire was leaking and you blew it up-- it would do it again..

so yes- the proper way to fix this system is to find the leak and fix it- I highly suspect the compressor seals-- look for oily grimey residue about the compressor body-- also look at the shaft seal- area- on the outside diameter of the pulley face- is there oil residue there?

An A/C specialist can also use leak detectors and a/c dye- to help pinpoint the leak. A slow leak may only need recharging once a year-- a faster one will leak out overnight-- only you can tell us that...