Spring has sprung..and no A/C!

[DaveL]

I replaced everything about 4-5 years ago on my 2000 Limted 2wd w/rear air...A/C has worked great ever since..But now that I have finally had a day warm enough to turn the A/C on I have ambient temp air coming from the vents, both front and rear vents.

I just came in from outside where I started the truck and turned all the A/C switches on..max.
The compressor doesn't kick in at all..after running for over 10 minutes.

Would I be correct in thinking I have gained a leak over the winter and the compressor isn't kicking in because of a lack of freon?? Or is there something more sinister I should be aware of??

Thanks for any input..

 

[lesterl]

Could be a bad cycling switch also, but get the pressures checked out, had a neighbor want to throw some freon into his and I said to let me toss the guages on and it was just fine. Ended up he had a bad blend door actuator.

 

[DaveL]

Hey LesterL,

Eveyone that I know that should have a gauge set doesn't have one any longer..
So I went on line at ebay last night and picked up a brand new one for 23.00
It will be a few more days before I can check the pressures...
I did disconnect the switch and used a jumper on it..the compressor kicked in just as soon as I connected the jumper...
Does this mean the switch (low pressure) is bad or that my freon level is low or both?

Thanks, Dave

Oh, the blend door seems to be function fine.

 

[lesterl]

Switch could be bad or could be low, so untill we know what your pressure is it is still up in the air...

 

[DaveL]

Thats what I thought...so as soon as they deliver the gauges I will get back to you...

Thanks LesterL...
Dave

 

[lesterl]

K, lettuce know....

 

[DaveL]

Ok, my gauges came in and I have gone outside to check the pressure readings

1st I hooked the gauges up, made sure all the connections were tight and got a reading of 0,zero on both high and low side..made sure all valves were open again...engine not running.

2nd I started the engine, checked all connections and made sure all valves were open. After 5 minutes I still had 0,zero high and low sides.

3rd Since the compressor would not kick in I ran a jumper on the low side switch and engaged the compressor...after 5 minutes still had 0, zero pressure both sides.

LesterL, what should be my next step?

 

[lesterl]

Well, if the guages are hooked up properly and seated down to complete the system, I would start by putting some 134 in, with the guage set you will have the capability of hooking a can tap directly up to the guages. Put a can tap on a can, hook tap to middle hose (yellow), have other hoses on AC system, RED SIDE CLOSED, puncture can with valve in tap, open BLUE SIDE A TAD and watch your pressures, the blue will spike, the RED/High side should come up slower than Blue..... Turn Blue side off and see if it holds pressure. If good, the pressure between blue and red will equalize and should hold steady. If the pressures drop off, then you have a leak, you can get a dye injector hose and some dye at the parts store for about $20.... all you need is a UV light (which they should have also) check around seals and seam with the UV light and the dye will glow neon green. Repair and get the system evacuated, then refill with 134. If your High side doesnt come up I have had defective valves on the ends of the hoses and that kept me from seeing pressures inside the system. Snag a can and a tap and see what you get.