02 Dakota A/C problems
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02 Dakota A/C problems
Hi, I was wondering if there was anybody out there that could help me diagnose an A/C problem that has recently occurred with my Dakota. Last year the air conditioning in my truck started to rise in temperature and began only blowing slightly cool air. When this happened I took the truck into a local shop that does a free A/C "inspection" and they said that pressure in the system was within the factory-specified range (they couldn't find any leaks either) but that my fan clutch was bad and not pulling any air through the condenser or the radiator. (The fan clutch was actually in pretty bad shape so I did end up replacing it even though the condenser has its own electric fans). This was as the fall season started, so I wasn't extremely concerned about it sense I would not be using the A/C for the next few months, and it did slightly improve the A/C performance. Fast-forward to a couple weeks ago and now my truck has ZERO cold air coming out of the vents and I am trying to figure out why. I've done some research and a little bit of troubleshooting, but still can't find an obvious problem with the system. This is what I know so far:
-A/C Compressor is operating normally. It is engaged when I turn the A/C on in the cab and does not cycle on and off while the truck is running.
-Neither myself nor a mechanic has identified any leaks in the system
-A/C Condenser is free of debris and the electric fans kick on when the A/C is turned on
-The refrigerant line running into the cab from the condenser is VERY cold (my fingers stick to it briefly if I grab onto this line)
-The refrigerant line coming from the cab to the accumulator is not cold at all
-The refrigerant line coming from the compressor to the condenser is VERY hot (I cannot touch this line for more than a couple seconds at best)
-As far as I know the blend-door inside the cab is functional. (Turning from cold to hot I get noticeably hotter air as the system switches over).
If there is anybody out there that's had a similar problem on their Dakota and has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
-A/C Compressor is operating normally. It is engaged when I turn the A/C on in the cab and does not cycle on and off while the truck is running.
-Neither myself nor a mechanic has identified any leaks in the system
-A/C Condenser is free of debris and the electric fans kick on when the A/C is turned on
-The refrigerant line running into the cab from the condenser is VERY cold (my fingers stick to it briefly if I grab onto this line)
-The refrigerant line coming from the cab to the accumulator is not cold at all
-The refrigerant line coming from the compressor to the condenser is VERY hot (I cannot touch this line for more than a couple seconds at best)
-As far as I know the blend-door inside the cab is functional. (Turning from cold to hot I get noticeably hotter air as the system switches over).
If there is anybody out there that's had a similar problem on their Dakota and has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 56
From: Alberta
they use a variable displacement compressors ....this design do not cycle the compressor on or off.
if the suction lines are cold and discharge lines hot...the mechanical side of the system is probably ok and the problem is more likely in the blend doors.
but before i tear out a dash or remove an actuator to see if the door moves fully....i would verify proper charge level and high and low pressures...if they are good...you may have an air flow blockage at the evaporator or the temp blend door itself. it may be moving but not fully.
if the suction lines are cold and discharge lines hot...the mechanical side of the system is probably ok and the problem is more likely in the blend doors.
but before i tear out a dash or remove an actuator to see if the door moves fully....i would verify proper charge level and high and low pressures...if they are good...you may have an air flow blockage at the evaporator or the temp blend door itself. it may be moving but not fully.
