A/C readings all over the place
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 3:25 pm
2002 explorer 4.0 With rear ac. Knob style ac panel.
The a/c blows about 49 to 56 degrees driving down the highway, the very left vent on the driver side is above 60. I used a temp gauge in the center vent and watched. I also noticed
that when I am at idle the temperature rises rather quickly.
So of course I go buy an a/c pro can which comes with the low side gauge. While running it was at 40 psi in 105 degrees outside so I bumped it up to 45 psi, of course it didnt make a difference.
I do more research and find that the fresh air door is a common problem, the actuator is broke so I just wedged something in there to keep it closed. Still have a problem.
I got a set of gauges so I could read the low and high side. I hook it up and the readings on the high side skyrockets in psi along with the low side. The gauges were maxed out. So I thought to myself this pos gauge that came with the can is wrong. But when I close the knob on the high side at the pressure port the low side drops to around 45 psi. What am I overlooking here?
I do the touch and feel tests and the low side is cold than warm. The system takes 56 oz. The fan clutch doesnt free spin when I rotate it manually, it feels normal.
I cleaned the condenser and radiator with a pressure hose by blowing all the crud out from the back side.
My wife hates me right now.
I was a Chrysler Mechanic for over 35 years. I retired and forgot how a basic a/c system works.
Don’t be too hard on me, why I didn’t throw the gauges on first? I’m already wondering the same thing. As for why I can’t figure it out...should have just told the wife my brain is tired of cars and let the new generation of mechanics fix this.
The a/c blows about 49 to 56 degrees driving down the highway, the very left vent on the driver side is above 60. I used a temp gauge in the center vent and watched. I also noticed
that when I am at idle the temperature rises rather quickly.
So of course I go buy an a/c pro can which comes with the low side gauge. While running it was at 40 psi in 105 degrees outside so I bumped it up to 45 psi, of course it didnt make a difference.
I do more research and find that the fresh air door is a common problem, the actuator is broke so I just wedged something in there to keep it closed. Still have a problem.
I got a set of gauges so I could read the low and high side. I hook it up and the readings on the high side skyrockets in psi along with the low side. The gauges were maxed out. So I thought to myself this pos gauge that came with the can is wrong. But when I close the knob on the high side at the pressure port the low side drops to around 45 psi. What am I overlooking here?
I do the touch and feel tests and the low side is cold than warm. The system takes 56 oz. The fan clutch doesnt free spin when I rotate it manually, it feels normal.
I cleaned the condenser and radiator with a pressure hose by blowing all the crud out from the back side.
My wife hates me right now.
I was a Chrysler Mechanic for over 35 years. I retired and forgot how a basic a/c system works.
Don’t be too hard on me, why I didn’t throw the gauges on first? I’m already wondering the same thing. As for why I can’t figure it out...should have just told the wife my brain is tired of cars and let the new generation of mechanics fix this.