Air Conditioner Problem

After enjoying my Dodge Custom Van for several years, suddenly the air
conditioner packed it in

I haven't had time to check it out yet, but maybe those with considerable
experience can serve
as a sounding board.

The compressor comes on for about 2-3 seconds, then cycles off. Constantly.
Holding my hand on the lines to and from the compressor, I feel neither
cool nor heat.

Would low refrigerant charge cause this?

I have been afraid it might be high head pressure, but would appreciate any
comments.

I am ready to sell this unit, and get something more in keeping with my
ancienité. Just need
a little validation.

wrote:
> ...
> The compressor comes on for about 2-3 seconds, then cycles off. Constantly.
> Holding my hand on the lines to and from the compressor, I feel neither
> cool nor heat.
>
> Would low refrigerant charge cause this?
> ...

Yep. Probably no charge...

Ask here for more info: http://acsource.net/acforum/

wrote:

> After enjoying my Dodge Custom Van for several years, suddenly the air
> conditioner packed it in

Year, model, compressor type?
>
> I haven't had time to check it out yet, but maybe those with considerable
> experience can serve
> as a sounding board.
>
> The compressor comes on for about 2-3 seconds, then cycles off. Constantly.
> Holding my hand on the lines to and from the compressor, I feel neither
> cool nor heat.
>
> Would low refrigerant charge cause this?

Most Mopars since the 80s will shut off for *either* high head pressure
or low suction pressure. Some of the 80s "block" style expansion valves
were a little prone to plugging, and would result in the compressor
running for a second or two until the head pressure went too high, then
the safety switch would cut them off. But in that case, the discharge
line will get hot quickly. Low suction pressure is MUCH more common,
though, and sounds like your situation. Without sticking a set of
guages on the system, its something of a SWAG ut I'd guess low charge
since that's more common.

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>
> > After enjoying my Dodge Custom Van for several years, suddenly the air
> > conditioner packed it in
>
> Year, model, compressor type?

It is a 1997, Custom built on a B2500 chassis, 318 cid FI engine.
Compressor seems to be the TRF-105.

Im going to take good look to see if I can spot a leak, then put
the gauges on it.

I am also having some coolant loss, which I dont believe had
anything to do with the AC problem. The hurricane drove
a pecan limb through the front grill, but it didnt seem to come
close to either radiator or condensor. More later.

On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:26:43 GMT, > wrote:

>After enjoying my Dodge Custom Van for several years, suddenly the air
>conditioner packed it in
>
>I haven't had time to check it out yet, but maybe those with considerable
>experience can serve
>as a sounding board.
>
>The compressor comes on for about 2-3 seconds, then cycles off. Constantly.
>Holding my hand on the lines to and from the compressor, I feel neither
>cool nor heat.
>
>Would low refrigerant charge cause this?

Yes, a possible cause. Sometimes a pressure is enough in the system to
start the compressor, but once its runing, it expects a higher
pressure, and not meeting it, it shuts off.

Get a buddy( Qualifed) with a manafold to verify this. Many auto
places won't check without paying for a full AC check upfront.

hth,

tom

>
>I have been afraid it might be high head pressure, but would appreciate any
>comments.
>
>I am ready to sell this unit, and get something more in keeping with my
>ancienité. Just need
>a little validation.
>

"The Real Tom" <Tom @ www.Love-Calculators.com> wrote in message
...

> Yes, a possible cause. Sometimes a pressure is enough in the system to
> start the compressor, but once its runing, it expects a higher
> pressure, and not meeting it, it shuts off.
>
> Get a buddy( Qualifed) with a manafold to verify this. Many auto
> places won't check without paying for a full AC check upfront.
>
> hth,
>
> tom

I will do that. I dont have gauges or equipment anymore, and have more
conscience than just to give it a dose of 134a. The coolant loss,
mentioned
previously, was only about a cupful, and I believe it was only incidental.
I
dont drive this unit much anymore.

Thanks to all.

Thanks to all who calmed my unease on this issue. I hated the idea of $600
for
a compressor, system washout, recharge, etc...

And as with many things, when the diagnosis is made, the fear is worse
than the disease.

I took off the cap from the low pressure side to attach the manifold, and
immediately saw bubbles from the valve. Just a leaker, which I hope I
can resolve by tightening, and topping off the refrigerant.

wrote:
> Thanks to all who calmed my unease on this issue. I hated the idea of $600
> for
> a compressor, system washout, recharge, etc...
>
> And as with many things, when the diagnosis is made, the fear is worse
> than the disease.
>
> I took off the cap from the low pressure side to attach the manifold, and
> immediately saw bubbles from the valve. Just a leaker, which I hope I
> can resolve by tightening, and topping off the refrigerant.

Was the schrader valve actually loose? It may not be seating. If
refrigerant is very low anyway, now's the time to change both of the
scrader valves. Get A/C specific valves from an auto parts store; they
look just like tire valve cores but they are designed for the task.
(Making the broad assumption that your Van employs the very common
style schraders that are available at virtually any parts store -- also
making the assumption that you found the *only* leak without proper
leak diagnosis)

Toyota MDT in MO

Toyota MDT in MO

The valve was a little loose. I tightened it slightly and the bubbling
stopped.
Hope this is all that was needed.

I charged 12 ounces of 134a, and the compressor is now staying on and
cooling. The suction side pressure is still a bit on the low side, but I
will not
charge further until I see how it is going to hold up.

Hi,

I wonder whether there was some cooling felt from the system even with so
little compressor circulation ?

I think I had the same problem, and also had a low coolant pressure
diagnosed. But the system cooled the air just enough to accept the condition
for a while.

Peter


> schreef in bericht
. net...
> The valve was a little loose. I tightened it slightly and the bubbling
> stopped.
> Hope this is all that was needed.
>
> I charged 12 ounces of 134a, and the compressor is now staying on and
> cooling. The suction side pressure is still a bit on the low side, but I
> will not
> charge further until I see how it is going to hold up.
>
>
>