2012 Dodge Grand Caravan AC issue driving me nuts.

[Septaric]

No the clutch stays engaged.

[Tim]

If that's the case. Good chance the compressor is bad.

Low refrigerant, the low side would pull into a low psi or vacuum. Clutch would cycle off.

Blockage, the high side would peg and shut the compressor off.

Bad compressor/not turning.

Nothing happens as you have 12 ounces of static pressure and no pumping from the compressor.

Again, just going off what I'm reading.

[Septaric]

Tim, I think that is going to be the case. I am waiting on a replacement compressor (Monday or so).

[Septaric]

Well I got the new compressor installed. It seems to be ok but now I have another problem. The low side is 40psi and the high side is 265psi with only aprox. 16 ounces of 134a. It's 80* outside. I changed the front expansion valve to start with. I'm guessing the rear expansion valve is bad. What do you think?

[Septaric]

I also noticed that the pressures go up and down like the clutch is engaging and disengaging, but it's engaged the whole time.

[JohnHere]

I don't think it's the rear TXV. It sounds like a condensing problem to me. Is the condenser externally clean of any leaves, bugs, and errant plastic bags? Are the fins making good contact with the tubes? Are the fans coming on?

[Septaric]

This is what it's doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln_umEw8bfU

[Septaric]

I don't think it's the rear TXV. It sounds like a condensing problem to me. Is the condenser externally clean of any leaves, bugs, and errant plastic bags? Are the fins making good contact with the tubes? Are the fans coming on?

The condenser is clean (outside). As far as the fans go I didn't notice.

[JohnHere]

From the video, it sounds like the engine is at idle speed. If so, try bumping it up to a steady 1,800 RPM, blower on medium, A/C on "Max," windows open. That should also help with getting the rest of the charge in. Then see what the pressures do. Double-check the fans, which at that point should be running pretty fast.

Specs for that vehicle call for 40.5 ounces of R-134a and 5.0 ounces of PAG-46.

[Septaric]

Your specs are way off. The tag on the vehicle are something like 1.6 pounds for single, 2.6 for double. That's off memory so it's not exact.