When I bought my truck the A/C did not work... dident even make a noise.

I decided to put in a can of a/c stuff... i did, and it took all of it.. it could ofmaybe even took more (i dont remember it was a while ago). After I added the can I noticed even with the a/c off the clutch would engage for a second, and then stop and it would do this every 20 seconds or so... I left it alone thinking that it was pumping the system full of freeon but I drove it around that night, and I noticed when the clutch engaged it started making like a grinding sound... so all I did was unplugged the a/c unit, and it has been sitting un plugged ever since.

I noticed my friends brothers ram does the exact same thing...

Is this a common problem? What should I do to fix it...

I never used a/c in the past (always had a 4 cyl car, and coudlent cope with the power loss) Now I think with a v8 the power loss wont be as bad... and with my truck being a dark color it gets pretty hot at times...

Does anyone know waht it will take to fix it? Im considering just adding more r-134 or waht ever type it is into it to try that...

Any ideas?

 

Edit: I just went out, plugged in the A/C and started it up just to remind me of the noise, so I could better discribe it...

Now, it does the same thing of kicking on for a second, and does it every 10-20 seconds apart, but the grinding noise is not there anymore, now I can hear the clutch click, and can tell that the pump is engaged just by another noise, but it doesnt sound at all bad.

What do yall think it is? Just needs more freon stuff?

 

I have a 1999 and it only calls for 2 pounds of R134, putting in more than that you run the risk of blowing the compressor seals. also compressor oil needs to be added to the system.

 

Anyone else have any ideas?

2lbs sound low... the bottle said that it was like 14 or somthing.

 

2 lbs is max... the system can equal out to what everlbs ..You will know when u got to much in the system it will make a weird noise and blow out thru the high end of the line (what a mess) the r 134a i used was in a little white can thats 16oz 2 will do but i also went to napa and use there sealant to...that was 2 months ago and still blows cold..

 

does it do anything negative if you unplug the compressor? sometimes i want fresh air from outside, but not blowing me in the face but whenever i turn it to the defrost or floor/defrost it runs the compressor? just wondering if it is bad to run the defrost with the compressor unplugged? thanks

 

The cycling on / off in 10-20 sec's seems to me to point to low refrigerant. One can was probably 12 ounces (I think you mentioned 14?).

The fact that it would not come on meant there was no r134 in it, so it probably had a leak that is still there.

You could just take it to a 'quick lube' shop and they can put in the flourescent dye and locate the leak. It may be a part you can replace yourself, then recharge and go.

 

I played with it alittle more today.

I hooked up the can of refrigerant onto it, and it has a inline presure gauge, I turned the take off so I could see how much preasure was inthere... I started the truck, when the clutch was engauged the presure was about 10, when it disengauged it went to like 50 or so... (I might of flip floped those numbers, I dont remember) and still no cold air comes from it...

any ideas?

Im about to just take it in.

 

With the clutch engaged thereading should be higher than 10 on the low pressure side.

 

Do this: At the auto parts store where you got your death kit, aka refrigerant recharge kit w/gauge, pick up a can of UV dye and add 2oz into the system. Then add a 12oz can of refrigerant--no additives (sealers,etc.). If you unplug the switch at the top of the accumulator and install a jumper wire in the harness plug the compressor will stay on. You are shooting for approx. 30-40psi. Once you have the system running it must run every chance you can to distribute the dye as the dye circulates with the oil in the system. The more it circulates, the better the chance of finding the leak.
BTW, the system holds 1.8 lbs. or 28.8oz. That figure is from completely empty. Also, too little ref. and the compressor will cycle excessively (what you have now). Way too little and the compressor won't come on at all. Conversely, too much charge and the high press. switch will stop the compressor. Way too much and you will blow the pressure relief valve (you'll hear it go).
WC