A/C stopped working now won't take a charge - FIXED!
#1023612
06/30/11 07:00 PM
06/30/11 07:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509 Middle River, MD
Mapandjlp
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509
Middle River, MD
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Last weekend we took a road trip of about 700 miles. We used the A/C on the way, worked great. Spent a day at the Steel Valley Nationals in Salem, OH, didn't need the A/C so didn't use it. When we jumped in the car for the return trip and fired up the A/C, no go. When we got home, I checked the pressures and nada. Sometime between Friday evening and Sunday morning, I lost all the refrigerant for some unknown reason. It had been working fine for several weeks before that.
Today, I tried to add some back to the system and now it won't take any juice. When I open the valve to start the flow (low side), the low side pressure jumps to 120 and NO refrigerant will leave the can and head into the system. What gives?
Oh, and I'm using R134a.
Last edited by mapandjlp; 07/07/11 12:02 PM.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1023613
06/30/11 09:35 PM
06/30/11 09:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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What makes you think you have no Freon in the system? 120 psi tells me you have some and odds are you are not turning the compressor when trying to charge the system. Jump the pressure switch and see if the AC compressor engages it's clutch then look at your pressures
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: Supercuda]
#1023614
06/30/11 09:46 PM
06/30/11 09:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509 Middle River, MD
Mapandjlp
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509
Middle River, MD
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Quote:
What makes you think you have no Freon in the system? 120 psi tells me you have some and odds are you are not turning the compressor when trying to charge the system. Jump the pressure switch and see if the AC compressor engages it's clutch then look at your pressures
Static pressure is zero on both sides = no refrigerant. The 120 lbs only shows up when I have a can of refrigerant connected and trying to charge.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1023615
06/30/11 10:17 PM
06/30/11 10:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167 Maryland
GO_Fish
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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If the system vented completely empty, I think you'll have to draw a vacuum down to pull the air out of the system before the refrigerant can go back in. I'm not an expert at all, so this may be a little off.
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: stumpy]
#1023618
07/01/11 12:03 AM
07/01/11 12:03 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I wouldn't try adding expensive refrigerant unless you know where it's leaking.At the very least add some dye to the refrigerant so you know where the leak is next time.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1023620
07/01/11 03:27 PM
07/01/11 03:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,601 Hatfield,Pa.
bigD
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,601
Hatfield,Pa.
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Once you have vacuum in the system(if it pulls down),do a leak down check. You should'nt lose much if any vacuum in say 5 mins or so if the the system is good,d
2015 Chrysler200s,2008 Charger R/T R&T,1999 Dakota R/T,1999 Viper ACR,1968 Charger R/T.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: NITROUSN]
#1023622
07/06/11 04:03 PM
07/06/11 04:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509 Middle River, MD
Mapandjlp
OP
mopar
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509
Middle River, MD
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I've vacuumed the system down to around 20" and left for 30 mins with almost zero loss. Still, when I try to add refrigerant, the low pressure on the gauge jumps to nearly 110psi and it'll take no refrigerant. When I force the compressor to engage, the low side pressure jumps to around 120psi and the high side goes to maybe 25psi. Still, it takes no refrigerant. I've charged a few of these things and I've NEVER seen the low pressure that high when charging or running. Usually it's in the 45psi range when the compressor is on. Way below that and rising while refrigerant is entering the system. I'm thinking something mechanically is wrong with the system. Anyone have any ideas? Looks like no A/C for Carlisle this weekend...
Last edited by mapandjlp; 07/06/11 04:04 PM.
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1023623
07/06/11 06:28 PM
07/06/11 06:28 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130 Dayton, Ohio
wldtm
super stock
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super stock
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130
Dayton, Ohio
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i think you have your high side and low side manifold valves open at the same time (with both hose ends connected and open to the vehicle). Hence the reason the high side looks to read low, and the low side reads high. The high and low side are equalizing through the manifold gauge set. Its hard to know exactly without being there.
Just my two cents. Right is closed BTW
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Re: A/C stopped working now won't take a charge...
[Re: wldtm]
#1023624
07/06/11 11:06 PM
07/06/11 11:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822 Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
i think you have your high side and low side manifold valves open at the same time (with both hose ends connected and open to the vehicle). Hence the reason the high side looks to read low, and the low side reads high. The high and low side are equalizing through the manifold gauge set. Its hard to know exactly without being there.
Just my two cents. Right is closed BTW
That was the same symptom on my Caravan. Both pressures were equal. New Sanden compressor fixed it.
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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