A/C not working after basic inspection

Get a gauge manifold set
Please don't add any more freon, especially AC Pro. That stuff is bad news.
As long as there is a good amount of freon in the system, and the pressure switch is functioning correctly, the clutch should engage at least briefly. That is until the pressure falls below or goes above the switch setpoints.
I'm not sure I've explained that very well, but...
Get a gauge manifold and post the pressures before turning on the AC, and after you jump the pressure switch. That will help diagnosis a bunch.

 

Ok thank you curt. Going to rent one tomorrow.

Just to clarify, i didnt add any significant AC pro. One real quick trigger pull to make sure the guage was working. Just for sh*ts and giggles.. it cost me $50, may as well justify buying it.

i know zero freon has ever been added by any owners

 

Keep us updated!

 

Don't rent one - buy a set from HF. Maybe $50 total and you can use it on all your cars (friends/family too). It pays for itself in no time.

 

Update: went to local auto store and borrowed a gauge manifold.. low side at 23psi, high side at 0 with engine off.

Once i jump the a/c clutch, low side reads 0. I didnt take the tool home so im not sure what the high side looks like when clutch is activated.

Bought a can of a/c leak detector, jumped the clutch, emptied the entire can in and added some additional freon, low side stayed at 0 while running, let the unit run for a while. Once stopped, low side back at 23ish. Clutch will still not activate without the jumper. Cant seem to get even low side to get higher than 23, even with engine off

The worst part, i cant find any leak detector anywhere. Some must have circulated because the low side stayed around 23?

Puzzled to say the least..

Also, the hose on the 134a isnt long enough to keep bottle upright, so a pain to add the freon..

Thanks for any help

 

Another update... some how some way the ac clutch turned on without jumping the relay... however, it only comes on for about 5 seconds, then off for 20 seconds, then on again for 5 etc... still no cold air though

With the gauge on the low side, the psi drops to nearly 0 when the ac clutch is activated... still no signs of the leak detector dye

 

You only added one can of freon? That's not enough - not even half - of a full charge. Check it when running, not off, and fill it when running, not off. When running and full, depending on outside temps, your low/high should be 40-ish and 175-ish. Higher outside temps make for higher low/high readings.

 

I

I thought 22 oz was the recommenced. Its just below freezing here. I have the psi at 18 on the low port when clutch is running now. 38 when its not.

Plus its obviously leaking somewhere? But i cant find the dye anywhere

 

WTF? No, just stop. Please, just stop. You cannot charge ANY AC at that temp and rely on Pressures!

 

Not knowing any of you, its hard to read such conflicting opinions.

Truth is i have hardly added any. Maybe a few ounces. Plus the leak detect. Once i got the clutch to engage, the levels evened out a bit.

So i cant work on the AC until the spring?

 

OP, you also need to list the HIGH pressure readings. Not sure why you keep listing only the low. As to your Q above, you need the ambient temps up enough to get proper readings.

 

I have. It read 0 with engine off, i dont have the equipment at this point to read the high

 

Your last three posts have only listed low. You gotta give us enough info to help you.

 

Not sure i have the tools to test the high side.

 

Sigh. ***Go buy a gauge set at HF*** or you're not going anywhere with this diagnosis. Or take it to a shop.

 

OK thank you

 

Conflicting posts from the Op will do that. I'm sorry, but you are in over your head.

 

Agreed. I appreciate all of your help regardless.

I posted the information i had. Must have missed some crucial steps.

Signing off.

 

You didn't miss anything, I did. I didn't ask you for ambient temp. When you said it was below freezing I gave myself a slap in the head. No wonder the pressure switch shut things down, too danged cold!
Don't give up, just wait til it's warmer.

 

No one put a gun to my head. I appreciate your help.