AC issues?

[Fahrenheit]

I just got my car running again after sitting for 7 months. When it got parked the AC worked great. So I have an 03 with duel climate, the compressor energises and spins without issue. I get kinda cold air on the pasnger side (for sure ACed but it should be colder) and straight vent air on the driver side. If I slide the sliders to hot then I get hot air so I think the climate control unit is working. Where should I check first? If the blend door was bad wouldn't it be blowing hot air all the time?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Sounds low on R134a.

[Fahrenheit]

Im sure it's possible but the compressor is running. In the past if a car got low on R134a the compressor would not run or only turn for for short little bursts.

[CrazyGuy03]

It may not be low enough to trip the low pressure safety

[Fahrenheit]

Well it be cheap enough to check, will report back.

[FordMan77]

These compressors are on full time whether they are low on charge or not, from what I've read/experienced.

[CrazyGuy03]

The clutch isn't engaged full time unless the HVAC unit calls for it
the HPS/ LPS will stop it from running. They are safety limits to prevent damage to the compressor

[FordMan77]

^^ True. If it sees too low or high of a pressure it will disengage the compressor. If there is a slow leak/clog in the system there may be enough to keep it engaged but not cool it down properly. I just went through this with my 00GT with a clogged orifice tube. Compressor would run ok but no cooling. But seeing as how he has the dual zone A/C it's likely low on charge which indicates a leak or blockage somewhere.

OP- have you tried spraying out the condenser with high pressure water through the front and from the back through the fans to flush junk out of it? Might be a long shot but when the condenser gets clogged it can really kill the cooling of the A/C. Beyond that it sounds like time to stick a set of gauges on it and see what the low and high sides are showing.

[CrazyGuy03]

If you had a clogged orifice tube you had or have a damaged compressor

[FordMan77]

The compressor could have been replaced at some point before my ownership so who knows, especially knowing the previous owner, lol.. Either way, I replaced the accumulator, orifice tube, filled it w/ proper amount of oil and have working a/c again. Same compressor (so far).

[Fahrenheit]

Was low on R134a just like most of you said. I still think it needs like half a can because i'm getting about 32lbs on the low side and the chart i got says it should be 35ish

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

The high side is the main concern, low side can anywhere from 25-35 depending on vehicle/compressor.

High side pressure wants to be above 200psi for sure, 225-230 is a good spot.

[J57ltr]

Boy I wish it was cool enough down here for a low side of 30-35 psi. If the high side is abnormally low like just 150 or so the valve in the compressor might be stuck in low pressure mode as most of these cars have a variable displacment pump and will run fine at highway speeds and in stop and go traffic they will heat up. Just keep that in mind as well.

Jeff

[Fahrenheit]

Ill keep that in mind, right now I only have a low side gauge. At some point i'll invest in a "decent" set of AC gauges. Esp if the issue pop sup again.

[J57ltr]

Well with you getting winter there real soon you probably won't have much of a need for it. I've got 3 more months until I won't need the AC.

[Fahrenheit]

True

[rickisrad]

where is the orifice tube on the 2004? My low side is high and high side is low on pressure. I put a new rebuilt compressor on from ebay and I think it was bad from the start.

[J57ltr]

There isn't one on a 04+ it's an expansion valve.

Jeff