The A/C condenser is not engaging and I have no cold air. Where do I begin with this. A friend suggested gettingthe A/C system charged and go from there. My thought is if the condensor is not engaging, there is something else amiss. Any thoughts?

 

u have a 50/50 of a low system fill or a mechanical problem with out any test stuff u wont be able to correctly figure it out unless u have money to throw parts at it. Get a shop to check the fill and go from there.

 

Your friend is right, if the pressure is low (undercharged), the pressure switch w/n allow the clutch to enguage. You still may have a leak though and if so, will find your self filling it frequently. The good news is that after 5 years, if it is the first time, more than likely this is normal (because of vibration etc). You can but a can with a guage, and instuctions, at a local parts store for less than $10 and charge it your self.This is only viable with a newer car as the old freon reguires a special licence and equipment. Charge it yourself and go from there. If it leaks down before next season, bring it to a shop and they will put a dye in the system to find the leak.

If the charge is good from the get go, listen for the clutch when you turn the system on and let me know.

 

Took the car in and had the system recharged. It was O.K. for a week then it was back tono A/C. The mech installed the dye and we will see if we can find the leak.

 

look on the passanger side at the lower end of the firewall for a black hard hose sticking out. That is your ac drain if there is a leak in the evap big enough to push oil out u will see it there use a black light or a uv light and u will see green dye in that hose. Then u get to take the dash out and replace the evap coil.

 

My mech friend has found the leak. Its the low pressure hose assembly. We found the dye leaking at a fitting connection. We are going to replace the hose assembly and see if this gets it done. Thanks for all the help. I will let you all know how things go from here.