AC Not Cooling

We had our week of winter here earlier this month and it has started to heat up again. I Just notice the AC isn't cooling and I don't feel the compressor kick in. Fuse is good. Will it act this way if it needs coolant?

 

When my A/C system was low on refrigerant, it acted really weird, but the compressor still worked. My evaporator core ended up needing to be replaced, but that doesn't sound like the issue you're having. When my A/C was low, it would blow ice cold out of the two driver's side vents, luke-cold out of the center right vent, and hot out of the far right vent. It never got to the point where I didn't have A/C at all. Unfortunately, I think your compressor may be bad. Start the engine and turn on the A/C, then pop the hood and look at the compressor. The compressor has a special clutch that allows the serpentine belt to spin freely when the A/C not on. If this clutch is spinning, then the system is low on or totally out of refrigerant. If it's not spinning at all, then the compressor isn't engaging and is likely shot.

 

Is your AC switch light flashing? Most likely cause is low refrigerant.

Here is the troubleshooting tree for no cool air:

 

Exactly which fuse are you looking at? Did you check it with a meter or only visually. Get a meter or a test lamp as visually they can look good and still be blown.

The 10 Amp IG1 No2 Fuse powers the Magnetic Clutch.
10 Amp A/C Fuse that powers the AC Amplifier Module.


IG1 10 Amp fuse that goes to the A/C Control Panel.
50 Amp Heater Fuse that powers the blower motor.

I assume that the A/C Control has power and the blower is running as you didn't mention those that would rule out the 50 Amp and the IG1 10 Amp fuses.

As for your question: Yes, a low refrigerant charge will stop the clutch from engaging.

 

Recharged the system. At one point the compressor clicked on but then I noticed a pin whole leak in the front of the condenser. Not much more than a mist but clearly green liquid spewing out. Can condensers be fixed or better replaced?

 

You replace those then vacuum the system to get the air out then recharge. Get a Denso condenser if you can.