A/C Working??

Hey guys, how do you know if your AC works and It just needs a refill? My A/C currently blows just warm air but I don't know whether it just needs to be filled or if it does not work. How do I know?! Thanks!

 

basically you need to find out if its low on R134 or not. You can buy one of those service yourself kits, but you may have a leak. Mine sealed for a while then it leaked to the point it wouldnt hold any pressure. if its got enough 134 then it could be other problems.

 

just look at it for the most part, it has a pressure switch to turn the compressor off if Freon is low.

with engine running and a/c on shine flashlight on front of compressor, if the disc on the front of it isn't spinning (not the pulley, im talking about the flat plate on the front of the pulley) then its shut off, most likely by the pressure switch. if this is the case go get a refill kit at the auto store and put a can of Freon in it. 90% of time its just one 12oz can is all it needs.

don't buy the big giant 16oz cans, you just waste the rest if it only needs half that much, and I don't recommend trying to jumper the compressor relay, just add Freon and when you put enough in the compressor will come on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCd9Bx36BU8

 

Keep in mind that the AC system is a completely closed system. If it is low on refrigerant, then you have a leak. There is no other reason why you would be low. It has to escape somehow. If you get one of those recharge kits, it will just leak again.

 

not really, big leaks yes but most leaks are small and just needs to add a can of Freon once a year, leaks that small are not easy to find so I tell people not to even bother looking unless it needs Freon more then once a year.

a really common leak is the valve stem where you connect to the system, they can leak just a wiff once and a while and when you take the cap off you hear a tiny bit of gas come out or see oil in the cap. that's all it takes to need a can once a year but you can almost never find a leak because its the access fitting valve core seal

 

simplest thig is to see it the little light on the AC swicth illuminates in the ON position and see if the AC compressor clutch is turning and not free-wheeling.
If the compressor is turning the frequency of the clutch on off is an quick check of refridgerant levels. There are pressure switches for too high of pressure and too low of pressure. If too low the clucth will cycle pretty quick like once every 5 seconds.