A/C clutch engages and disengages

[ARTURPOLAND]

Hi, After cold spring days I tried to put a/c on with no result. when I opened hood I have noticed that shortly after switching to a/c or a/c max clutch engages and after second disengages. after few seconds again ? Is this clutch broken or maybe there is something wrong with the sensors (cut off switches).

regards

artur

 

[prerunner02]

No I beleive u have a freon leak.the sensor senses some freon , which allows the compressor to start. Then after a sec or two the compressor has sucked the little amount of freon left away from the sensor, and cutting power to the compressor.then the cycle starts again. just fyi all a/c systems should be ran for a couople of min. atleast every month to keep the seals good.

 

[Papa]

Check for residual refrigerant oil in the area of the leak. The steel accumulator would be highly suspect and the insulation around it makes it hard to locate a leak so if you see rust look hard for oil, if that is the problem a replacement accumulator with an oil and refrigerant charge is the only answer.

 

[marragtop]

Get a R134a refill kit. Make sure you check the pressure before just dumping more freon in.

 

[jhgrav3]

unplug the low pressure switch (which is close to the low pressure valve where you put in freon) jump the harness with the paperclip; not the sensor; then start the truck and turn on the air. If the compressor comes on and stays on you are low on freon. Add 1 can and plug the low pressure switch back up. If the compressor works fine your done. If not the low pressure switch is bad. Occasionally it takes 2 cans

 

[BrooklynBay]

A cycling clutch is usually caused by a low freon condition. Make sure that you don't mix 2 types of freons (R12, and R134A). I think your vehicle came with R134A, but check the size of the ports. The bigger ones are made for R134A. You should have a sticker that tells you this information under the hood.

 

[marragtop]

The 97s definitely had R134a.