studawg66

Need some expert opinions. My A/C quit working on the warmest day so far this year and on a day when we had terrible traffic (Murphy strikes again). Here is what I know: A/C switch light comes on, fan blows, slight idle up detected, but never blows cool air. It has not been a gradual decline...it worked great yesterday.

So is it possible for the refrigerant to be low and kick out that quickly with no warning? I honestly have no idea when was the last time the refrigerant has been checked/pressure tested. Many years I suppose.

I was thinking it may just be the clutch or the coil due to the idle up kicking in. If the pressure switch worked and level was low, it would never get to that idle up point in the sequence, right? FSM has idle up as the very last step before clutch kicks in.

Is my logic correct on this? I was going to try the continuity check of the clutch coil, but I have P/S and that makes it incredibly difficult to access that wire. Maybe in the daylight tomorrow.

Discombobulated

Refrigerant level will be your first step, if it's low diagnosing will be all over the place

jgrant721

First thing to visually confirm is if the compressor is spinning when you turn the A/C on. Two major things can prevent this in the way you describe your problem:

- the refrigerant pressure in the system is too high or (more likely) too low
- the wire for power connection for the compressor clutch is broken

Good luck!

Marc

Depending on your configuration the A/C belt might be broken.

studawg66

I checked the belt and it is turning the pulley just fine. i just don't think the magnetic clutch is engaging. So either low freon or an issue with the clutch/coil. I think I will check the connection to the compressor tonight and try to do the continuity check on the coil as well. Kind of hard to get in there with the P/S pump right above it, but hope to try that this evening.

HighLux

Go get a cheapie can of freon that has dye in it. The kind with a hose and gauge on bottle. Charge it up...check all fittings for tightness. Look for leaks.

Enjoy cold air.

Your compressor isnt kicking on cause its low on freon. safety feature. Charge it up and go. Your leak is probably very very small. Leaded out over time.

More than likely be coldr than you remember after charging.

Do this first...if there is a problem...then we will go from there...then talk about pumping it down and such.