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More AC Questions?

DeerHunter

Member
Joined
September 20, 2004
Messages
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City, State
TX
Year, Model & Trim Level
93 XLT 4X4
I just did a partial overhaul of my AC system and have a few questions for those who are in the know on these issues.
I replaced the compressor, clutch, dryer/acculuminator, orifice tube, low pressure switch and hoses on my 93 X.
I flushed the condenser forward and backwards and it really wasn't that dirty.
After replacing all of the components I pulled a vacuum on the system. I ran the vacuum pump of about an hour and 10 minutes and then let it sit for another 30 minutes to make sure it held vacuum and there were no leaks in the system. The vacuum pump is a 2 stage pump rated to 50mm and the gauge was maxed out at the end of the vacuum process.
Then I added one 12 oz. can of R134 and let the system sit for about 10 minutes before starting it up and turning on the AC.
Ambient temp during this process was 90 to 92 degrees F.
When I first turned it on the compressor would cycle on for about 20 seconds and off for about 5. The low side reading on the gauge was around 20. I hooked the second can of freon to the low side with the can right side up and started to add freon until the compressor quit cycling. At this point the low side was around 25 and the high side was around 180.
At this point the vent temp at idle with the system set on max AC was around 53F. I continued to add freon while watching the gauges and vent temps. I reached the lowest vent temps at idle of 44F with the low side at 35 and the high side at 220, then the vent temps stabilized and then any additional freon charge resulted in a vent temp rise of 1 or 2 degrees so I evacuated a little of the R134 and the vent temps returned to around 44
The AC is cooling OK but while driving down the highway when the vent temps get down to about 43 degrees the compressor will cycle out. I can watch the digital temp meter and see it. There is not a big temp variation, just a couple of degrees but you can see it warm up a couple of degrees and then cool right back down. Since the vent temps never get down to 43 at idle the compressor never cycles at idle.
I guess my question is this. Is this the best I can expect out of a converted R12 system and what is causing the compressor to cycle out? Is there a temp sensor on the evaporator or is it a high or low pressure issue that is causing it to cycle?

Any information will be appreciated.

DeerHunter
 






I am having roughly the same problem as you----it never cycles off at idle---but the air never gets really cool.
I only had a cheap kit with low side guage and mine cycles off at 25 pounds and back on at 60 or so.
Glacier is the dude to talk to about this stuff.
In my case I am gonna take it in to get it vacuumed out and replace the right amount of freon and oil. Hopefully then I can get it cool enough to extract moisture from the air.
 






DeerHunter, you did it exactly right. The compressor will cycle, nothing to worry about. Probably low side pressure cutout, there is not an evaporator temp switch. Anyway enjoy ...you have a good working system! You make my heart sing - done it exactly the way it ought oto be done. And pressures and temps too! Woo hoo. Thanks for the post.
 






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