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01:08:11 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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Rick
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/18/2013
19:37:18
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 Subject: Little help diagnosing A/C problem
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 1999 Dakota 5.2 L and have seen my a/c malfunctioning all summer.
The compressor cycles rapidly. It kicks on for 2 seconds then off for 2
seconds. I've suspected a leak so injected some UV dye but never could find
it. Today I finally got around to putting on the gauges and taking some
readings:
engine off: high side 100 psi, low side >100 psi
engine on, a/c at max: high side 100-120 psi as the compressor kicks on and
off, low side 20-50 psi as the compressor kicks on and off. Say the
compressor is off, when the low side pressure drops to 20 the compressor
kicks on, then as it rises to 50 kicks off, repeat ad absurdum.
When I disconnect the low side pressure switch, the compressor never comes
on. When I jump that switch, there's no change in the cycling behavior.
When I disconnect the high side pressure switch, the compressor never comes
on, but I notice the low side pressure rise to >100 psi. When I jump that
switch, the high side pressure stays ~ 100 psi, but the low side pressure
pulls down to ~10-15 psi. The air blowing out in the cabin never gets any
colder.
So, blockage? I suspect my compressor is failing and pieces of its internal
workings are going downstream and causing blockages. Do I decompress the
system then start taking it apart and examining hoses? Any clues where I
might start or focus my efforts?
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Rick
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/20/2013
21:54:05
| RE: Little help diagnosing A/C problem
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm replying to my own post. I like to close things
out. I'm also disappointed this board getting so
little traffic. It's been my go-to outlet for all
things Dakota for a long time.
I replaced the a/c compressor, accumulator, and
condenser today. I flushed the remaining
components. I used a good strong commercial grade
vacuum pump from work to pull a vacuum, then
charged the system with two cans of R134a. Now my
a/c works again. Total cost for parts and supplies
was about $500 and it took me from about 9a-5p,
excepting 2 hrs in the middle.
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