lately I've noticed that when I have my heat on, my compressor will click on and off.... sometimes every 5-10 seconds continuously. when it does this it make the whole truck move a little bit.... is the compressor going on the truck or is this some other issue? also isn't the compressor only suppose to click on when I'm using the ac?

 

Does the idle go crazy for a second every time your compressor kicks off? Does it stop if you set your a/c to off or dash vent? I just had this happen a few months ago.

Your a/c refrigerant is a little low and it causes your compressor to kick off abruptly. Remember that your a/c is on with every setting except the dash vent setting. Just go down to the auto parts store and get a small can of refrigerant (R134a). Its and easy fix and not a big deal, if you haven't been using your a/c for a while the seals can get dry and leak a bit.

 

^^^
x2

 

yeah it stops doing when I have it set to off. the idle does change a little, wouldn't say go crazy tho.the compressor sounds like it's going off and on over and over, and all it needs is a charge? wouldn't that mean that I have a leak or no?

 

AC refrigerants tend to slowly leak past seals as well as permeate through system components such as flexible lines. Since your truck is about 9 years old and if the systems has never been serviced its probably running low.

 

Every 3 or so years I will add a bit of freon to get me back to the top of the spec.

 

dont i need to bleed the line or evacuate the system before I start putting more refrigerant in? and plus shouldn't I put a gauge on it to see how much 134A i need in there?

 

Buy a small can, let it suck the whole thing in, your done.

 

Not if the system is only a little low. If you had let the system go totally empty or had a blow out of the system then yes you'd repair and evacuate the system and then refill. However, in your case I'd go for the easy fix. If you have the fittings and a charge hose you can get one of the small cans otherwise Id get one of these kits. Comes with everything you need. Just add a little at a time until the gauge reads in the green around 30-40 PSI @ 70 degree ambient outside temp (colder outside temp lower PSI - Higher outside temp higher PSI).

 

I added some yesterday and my gauge was reading past 50 psi (just before the warning section)... the temp outside was like 30 degrees. everything seemed fine. I even checked the gauge with the truck off to and it gave me the same reading. I notice when I have the gauge on it the psi's fluctuate back and forth as the compressor goes on and on, sometimes even going below 20psi (low) and then back up eventually just past 50. when the gauge fluctuates does this mean it's going through its cycle? also when it goes back 20 psi's for moment then when the compressor comes back on does that mean it's satisfied?

 

Is your problem fixed or is it not?

If you want to learn about a/c systems and how to service them, Google is your friend.

 

The system is suppose to be 25-30 psi, high pressure cut out will happen in the 50's along with the safety blow off dumping freon and oil.

 

The reading that counts is the one while the compressor is engaged. Given your current outside air temp averaging in the 40s you’ll want the low side pressure to read between 25-30 psi

In order to accomplish this you'll need to temporally by-pass the low pressure cut off switch (cycling switch). You can do this by removing the electrical connector at the accumulator and inserting a wire jumper in the connector. This will allow the compressor to stay engaged.

Now read the gauge. If its below 25 psi you’ll need to add more. To do this hold the can in the horizontal position. Using both hands to help keep the can warm, open the valve and slowly rock and tip the can side to side so your adding liquid when the can is tipped towards the gauge side.

Once it gets in the range of 25-30 psi close off the valve and let it run for a few minutes. If the gauge goes back down, open the valve and add some more until it stays steady.

Turn of the engine, remove the jumper wire and reconnect the cycling switch. Start up the truck and see if it works normally now.

 

So now I started filling it.. the compressor isn't turning and the pressure on the LOW side was at 90 psi... so I started to let tehe air out since I guess I overcharged it. Now the high side is at like 50psi and the low side is at around 30 and the temp inside the cabin blowing out is 110 degrees..

What did I do wrong. Should I just completely drain the system and then start again?

This can't be this hard and I f'ed it up...

Please help :-(

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

So I completely emptied the entire system and now I am vaccuuming the entire system out... it's at -30 psi on the LOW side now...

What is this on the gauges:



When I unscrew or tighten this down nothing happens.. is something supposed to happen. When the valves opend I can completely unscrew this and nothing comes out...



Thanks,
-Nigel

 

Its an auxiliary port. Nothing should come out of it unless you depress the schrader valve in the center. Similar to a valve stem on a tire.

 

This is normal. The A/C compressor draws a large amount of energy off the engine and when it clicks on and off you will notice a change in RPMs and feel a little vibration. When you have the defroster on, the compressor will run to help defrost your windows faster in the winter.