A/C stopped working after sitting a few months

Howdy folks. As the weather here is generally pretty tolerable, I don't have the occasion to use the A/C in my 2003 X-cab V6 very often, but as we just had a hot spell I'm taking notice.

The problem started over the Winter. I have, or had, 2 vehicles and put the Taco away for the Winter. It sat for probably 6 months without turning on the A/C although I did start the truck and let it idle a few times during that period. Seems I should have turned on the A/C because the next time I tried it again, it decided it was on strike. The compressor still kicks on, but it does not cool the air.

It seems like I read somewhere a while back about this being a problem, but can't seem to find the thread. I'd kinda like to fix as much of this myself as I can, but don't really know where to start. As this seems like a known issue after letting the truck sit for a while, I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks in advance!

 

you said the compressor kicks on, do the pipes that go into the cab get cold?

 

if the compressor is kicking on then it has Freon and should be cooling.

I bet your problem is the heater valve is bad and the heater is running at the same time. its a very common problem that happens all the time.

open the hood and feel the large line coming out of the firewall, it should be cold, (the small line is hot) if it is then the a/c is working and you need to look at the heater valve. if you are feeling around near the compressor, be careful, the small line there will burn you.

 

Well, now the compressor won't come on. It came on the last time I tried it - last week, but not today. I double-checked both fuse locations and nothing blown in there.

 

You could have slowly lost the refrigerant charge and the low pressure cut switch wont allow the compressor to run or will cause it to start and stop [cycle] rapidly. Solution measure low side pressure and recharge if low. simple to use service kits are available at most parts store's for around $30

 

Maybe I need to have a look there. I was thinking there was some sort of sight glass check for that too...I'll look into it.

Thanks!