2000 Ram 1500 5.9L 2WD 158K miles

System was working fine, then 1 day it wasnt.
- A/C condenser is new in the past year
- Low line tests at 40 psi (its 88 here today)
- dont have a guage for high line.
- jumped connectors for high and low line pressure switches and doing so doesnt change anything.
- compressor will kick on for 3-5 seconds then kick off for 5-10 seconds
- cold line is cold, hot line is hot
- horn works

What am I looking at, bad compressor?

its my first rodeo with A/C so I am a little frustrated at this point, any help is greatly appreciated. thanks

- JD

 

Sounds like it's low on 134a to me.

 

what should my pressure be? I was under the impression it was good between 35-50.

 

What gauge are you using? The thing that comes with a can? Before I got the right equipment, I filled it until the air blew nice and cold, and the compressor didn't cycle constantly.

 

There should be a chart on the can, that tells optimal pressure vs. ambient temp.

 

He's right on with the pressure, but if it's one of the cheap gauges on a can, I wouldn't trust it.

 

I was checking with the gauge that comes on the can of 134a. Went and got a set of A/C guages from the auto store loaner tool program. still tests at 40 psi, 87 degrees today.

 

It still does not mean there is the correct amount of 134a in it.

 

Is that 40 pounds while the compressor is running?

 

When the horn honks, lol