Arts09

Okay guys I got a problem my ac isn't blowing cold my system is charged full of freon no leaks but not blowing when I push the ac my pressure goes frim 35 to zero but when I depress the ac button back to 35psi what do you guys think? Do I need a new compressor?

Former User

Please make your writing understandable by using some punctuation.

Give details about all of the work that you've done on the A/C system so far.

Let's also start with the basics. When you press the A/C button:
1) does the button light turn on?
2) does cabin blower work?
3) does the condenser fan run
4) does the compressor clutch engage?

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

If pressure was 35 w/ the AC off they you already have a problem. If it's 80*F outside, standing pressure w/ the system off should be around 86psi (lower if colder and higher if hotter). That pressure should drop by more than half once the system is switched on.

It could also be your gauge reading wrong.

BTW: The system should not run if the low size is hitting 0psi. There is a switch that shuts the compressor of if this happens. Try a different set of gauges.

Arts09

1)yes
2)yes
3)yes
4)not sure how to check that
Let me tell you this when I had a freon leak it was able to hold enough freon for me to feel it to get cold inside the car now when I ripped out the condenser fix the leak because of a loose pressure switch this started happening I have freon in the system its charged just not getting cold :/ I live in the central valley and its hotter than 2 girls mud wrestling each other lol but yeah I push the ac button it turns green fan comes on everything just no cold air :/

Arts09

Well thing is I charged my system and followed the directions on how to do it turn on car max ac blah blah filled it in the blue to lil passed 35psi system clicked and bam straight to zero I was shocked like what the Hell so I try putting in more with no luck still at zero took off the gauge turn off the car went back to the low side now was showing it was like at 60 so I let some freon out back to 35 turned on the car again looked at the gauge zero again don't know whats wrong.....

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

That click is the compressor clutch kicking on/off and starting/stopping the compressor. The compressor is the pump that actually makes things cold. Here is what to look for. If the center part of the pulley is spinning, the compressor is on. If the center part is not spinning, the compressor is off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp8pXmlFq_w

It's normal for the low-side pressure to shoot up to 60-80psi after the compressor shuts off. If it shuts off, you won't be able to get any more in. You need to CONTINUE charging until you get back up to that 35psi with the compressor actually running.

Did you have the doors of the car open while you were charging? If the evaporator in the dashboard gets too cold, the system will switch itself off for a minute. This keeps the evaporator from turning into a block of ice inside your dashboard. Still no idea why the gauge would hit zero unless it's just crap gauge. I have seen an autozone gauge with bad readings before.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

BTW: Instead of shooting for ~35psi (or a blue bar on the gauge), Use this chart to determine the low-side pressure you want to aim for. Before you go outside, google your local temp and humidity. Then draw a line from the temp at the bottom of this graph straight up through the "intake-pressure" diagonal lines. Now make a dot where that line intersects your local humidity (between 30% and 80%). Now draw a horizontal line straight to the left till you hit the intake-pressure scale. Where ever your horizontal line lands, is the psi you should charge to.

You cannot complete the rest of the chart unless you get a high-side gauge and a air-vent thermometer.

Arts09

I won't over charge it if I keep shooting freon in there? Also what is the pressure of a normally charged system in a 95 civic with the car turned off? Im just scared of blowing the compressor and im out 200 bucks

Former User

Recharge the system only by refrigerant weight not pressure.

Arts09

Now my condenser fan isn't kicking on so my guess I have a faulty pressure switch right?

It was working yesterday now its not even kicking on my ac button is green but nothing else

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

The pressure in the system with the car off depends on temperature outside. R134A will be 86psi at 80 degrees F. This is why it's best to charge by weight as RonJ@HT said. The system is meant to hold 500 to 550 grams of R134A. 1 can of refrigerant usually contains 340grams. That means 1.61 cans (less any you let escape in the process).

The fan not turning is another problem. Doesn't have to do with the pressure switch though. You need to check Fan-motor, Relay, & wiring to find that problem. Without that fan running, the high-side pressure will get too high and that can shut the compressor off too.

Arts09

Dam the only thing is that it was working yesterday now its not dam this is becoming more of a brain buster

Arts09

Got it fixed took some brake cleaner to the plugs and a lil compress air and vola everything works thanks guys plus I was lil short of freon

inda ceja

Arts what did you do to fix it. im having the same problem?