Well it is a wierd time of year to have questions about your AC, but i have been transplanted to Southern CA. When I turn on my AC I can hear the compressor come on. The lines to the condesor and to the evaporator are cold, but my pickup just will not cool off. I bought a temp gauge and tested the system this evening. It was about 50 degrees outside but I could only get it down to 40 degrees on Max at full blast. I am not sure if that is a good test b/c it was already so cold outside.

I want to check and see where my Freon levels are to see if it need a charge. When I checked the sticker on the pickup it said 2 psi was operating capacity. When I went to Pep Boys they had color coded gauges for $4 that said 0-25psi was low. How can that be if the system hold 2 psi?

Also I have had this pickup since it was new, but never really understood the AC/Heater ****. There are two settings that have the snowflake next to them. One is MAX AC and the other is regular AC. Then there is the sitting person with arrows going to the feet and to the head. I usually just use that setting b/c it does provide circulation and a bit of cooling as well for most times of the year. What I thought it was a vent setting, but can it be b/c it actually feels cooler in my cab then outside and I believe I can here the compressor kicking on and off. Can someone please explain this?

 

If the compressor is cycling on and off them it is probably low on r-134 and needs to be recharged.and if it low it also means there is a leak somewhere.

 

Are you sure the sticker doesn't say 2 lbs of freon for capacity? There is no "2 psi" that would apply to anything, I don't think.

If you can snag a set of gauges for a few minutes, hook them up to the appropriate ports and run the AC.


For a 98 Ram, your low side should be between 32-40 psi, and your high side should be 190-220 psi.

Low freon can cause the compressor to cycle on and off. So won't running the AC in cold temps. As far as the settings on the ****, your "regular" AC setting, passes outside air over your evaporator. On MAX AC, the air in the cab is recirculated. You will also notice an increase in air movement on the max setting. The air will blow harder, and will get colder than the regular setting.


Like I said, try to have the system checked with gauges. And double check that sticker again to see if that 2 is the poundage capacity for freon in the system.

Hope this helps.

Good luck with your ride.

 

2001ramsport thanks for the response. I figured it was probably low on r134a so how would I go about either finding out where the leak is or fixing that leak?

DieselDemon you are correct it is Capacity 2lbs it does not have anything to do with psi. I was just confused. I think I am just going to go to Pep Boys or somewhere and get some R134a and have a go at it. How do I make sure I pick the low side to put the can on?

 

Take it to a shop that specializes in A/C repairs. They can pinpoint the leak, evacuate the system, repair it, and juice the system back up again. That is your best means of proper repair without nickel and diming yourself.

 

yeah AC problems are better left to to pro's.Dodges are known for there leaky Evap.cores.had to have mine replaced last spring.I don't think I would have ever changed it myself even though I have worked on cars all my life.

 

Id wait for a 70 degree day, then check the air coming from the center vents. It should be 40 to 45 degrees. If not take it to pro's.
The only true way to know how much freon is in the system, is to evacuate it andservice it to the 2lbs charge. Now when you hook up the gauges and they read normal, your system is OK. If they are not in spec's, you got other problems. If the system is OK and your still getting warm air, the blend door may not be shutting off theheater core.