My ac was disconnect and reconnected. I wanted to try and recharge it this morning but the ac compressor was not spinning so I was not able to charge the system. Will the ac compressor not work if the ac fluid (no idea what it is called) is too low or is my ac compressor more than likely going to need to be replaced? I have not had the truck very long so I do not know if the ac compressor was working before.

 

If the charge is low, no, it won't run. If you have opened it to atmosphere, you need to have it evacuated, to get the air/moisture out of the system, otherwise, it won't be as efficient as it should be.

 

What is the best route to try and fix this then? Will I have to go to a shop for this? Is there also a way to know if the compressor is bad or not. I don't want to evacuate the system and charge it and then the compressor is bad.

 

Only way to tell is charge it up, and see if it runs. Chances are, it had a leak.... so, when refrigerant ran low, compressor stopped running. (in self-defense. ) Having it evacuated will also tell you if there is a leak. (won't hold vacuum.)

 

Fair enough. How do you charge the system if the compressor isn't running?

 

I just kept putting in refrigerant until it started running, and then paid attention to the gauge. Charged it to the correct values for current temp... and called it good. Unfortunately, I have a leak somewhere.... so, it only lasted a month or so. Haven't bothered this year...... although, given that it has been over 100 almost every day this week, I am seriously reconsidering that position.

 

When I was trying to charge it early the coolant wouldn't even go into the system.

It was 100 all week and 110 today. I figure screw it I have to get the ac working again.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-...ump-98076.html

Here we go.

 

Shake the can....

Make sure you have a good connection to the port, they can be a pain.

 

Use the vacuum pump and get a gauge set. When you put it back together did you get new o-rings? If not go ahead and take it back apart and put in new o-rings. You'll need to coat them in PAG oil. I'm not sure what weight our trucks use. Once it's vacuumed down and holding vacuum for a while go ahead and start charging the ac while the truck isn't running. It'll take some r134 but not a whole lot. Should be enough to at least get the compressor to kick on. Then start it up and turn it to max and blower speed up all the way. Then charge it up to the proper pressures or amount. You can buy little cans of u/v dye that you can put into the low side port also. Then if there is a leak it makes it much easier to track them down. It is recommended anytime you open up the system you replace the receiver/drier.