I know it is winter time for most, but down here in florida it gets warm every now and then and the a/c is giving me a bit of trouble. I have a 2000 ram 1500, 318in. the compressor cycles, the clutch appears to engage as it should, the line that runs along the passenger side fender gets ice cold the other line remains warm and I get no a/c at all in the cabin. I don't have any gauges to check pressure and don't know if the system is under or overcharged. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks.... bill

 

You get "no a/c" as in it doesn't get cold, it doesn't blow thru the vents, etc.

If the system is low on freon, the compressor will cycle on and offrather fast. If there is adequate freon, the compressor should remain engaged considerably longer with the a/c on.

Do your vents work? You may just need a recharge. If someone added freon, the system could also be overcharged. Overcharging usually leads to icing, or high head pressure which can damage the compressor.


Good luck with your ride.

 

Thanks for the help,
I just recently got the Ram, and there was nothing but warm air when I put the controls on. I put it on max a/c and checked the compressor and it was recyling as you said rapidly. I didn't feel any of the lines so I don't know if they were cold or not. I added one full can of 134a and there was no difference in the temperature in the cabin. I then felt the line I described and it was ice cold, but the other was warm and the compressor was still cycling rapidly. I just don't know if it is low on 134a or something else is going on. I do not want to overcharge the system, and do more damage. I checked for leaks and haven't seen any sign of any. Should I add another can? I would have thought that one can should have made some change in the temperature...... thanks......bill

 

You would be best served if you could find a set of gauges. A second can may be what's needed. But if you overcharge, you could damage the system.

Did the freon can have frost build up on the outside of it as you charged the system? If so, set the can in a bowl of hot tap water. As hot as it will get without boiling it on the stove...lol. This makes the freon in the can expand rapidly and enter the system much quicker.


Not breakin ***** but you did have the truck running, and the a/c on high/max when you added the can, right? 1 can will make a difference if the system needs a slight recharge. If the truck takes 2 cans, you probably have a leak somewhere. If you know where the low freon pressure switch is (probably on top of the accumulator/dryer), you can unplug the wire harness, and then short it out with a paper clip. This will keep the compressor cycling continuously. It will also makethe truck take on freon much faster.

There is a manual you can download on this site somewhere that will have all the pics. And somewhere under your hood is a sticker that tells you how many lbs of freon your system holds. I would guess between 2-3 lbs for your truck.

Keep us advised.


Good luck with your ride.