So I’m having a problem with my AC. I installed all new parts including lines, condenser, drier and orifice tube about a year ago. Had problems back then of getting the refrigerant pressures right myself so I took it to a shop and had them charge it using a machine. Worked fantastic, cycled normally and was very cold.

Fast forward to about a month ago and my intercooler rubbed a hole in my condenser and caused a big leak. I popped the hood and realized my ac clutch wouldn’t disengage like it should when it has a low refrigerant level but will disengage and reengage normally when requested. I replaced the condenser and added the recommended oil for a condenser change back into the system. Held -28 overnight on a vacuum charge and I then began adding Freon back in.

So the two problems I’m having are that the ac doesn’t cycle off, it just stays on constantly when I use the AC and I can’t seem to get the pressures right. It does cool but only to about 60 degrees at the center vent. I’m afraid that because my safety switch didn’t work, that it wore out my brand new compressor. Or maybe I put too much oil. Or I maybe got air in the system while charging. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I wanted to add a few things real quick:

I weighed out the Freon when I put it back in using a scale to make sure I put the right amount in. It worked fine but because of the not cycling issue, I continued to add more in thinking that I wasn’t building enough pressure to cycle off. With 48 ounces in it the manifold gauges read 50/260 at 2000rpm. It was about 90-95 outside when I did this.

 

Your system is supposed to have 1.8lbs (28.8 ounces, or at least my 02 is). I just fixed mine, and I thought I remember getting about 30/ 260

 

I couldn’t get to 250 without pumping the low side up to 50 which made me worry that the compressor is weak and can’t build the proper pressures with the correct refrigerant amount. I’ll be evacuating it down to where it should be tonight and see what happens. Air still blows fairly cold but not like it should

 

You could have too much oil in the system. If you do, It will effect the pressure and the cooling temp.

 

Or a plugged orifice tube. Air in the system would make the head pressure too high.

 

I put a new cycling switch on last night and tried it out to no changes. Just thought I’d start with the cheap and simple fixes. Pretty sure I have a wiring issue because if I remember right, the low pressure switch should kick off when it gets down to 28psi.

I’ll be evacuating the system, cleaning lines out and changing the orifice tube in addition just to cover all the bases.

 

When I changed the condenser out, I added the recommended amount back to the system and it will cool to the point that the vents blow frost out and eventually freeze up the evap core. The suction side hovers around 25psi on a 95 degree day which if I remember right should be cycling off at about 28psi.

I’ll be evac’ing the system to flush the lines, change the orifice tube and then start checking all my low pressure wiring circuit. When I do this, I’ll need to add oil and I’m not really sure how much to add back in at that point

 

 

thanks for that and your numbers from charging