My 96 ranger is not putting out cool, let alone cold air from the AC. Ever since I got it I hear a click coming from the engine compartment and was wondering what it was. Now I know---I bought a recharge bottle with the gauge on it. Started up the engine, turned on AC to max and blower to high, temp **** to max blue. Connected the recharge gauge to the AC input port. Immediately saw the needle in the "filled" green area but noted that every time I heard the "tick" the needle dropped to almost the empty area then would go to the top of the green full area. I would hear the tick again and it would repeat the same cycle. Am I looking at a new AC Compressor? God I hope not!!!!!
From the videos I have watched about recharging the AC the needle on the gauge just goes into the green full area and just stays there. No, I did not add any recharge as I want to find out what is going on before I throw away $50 of rechrge.

Thanks and have a great day.

 

When you have your gauge hooked up and the A/C kicks on and the needle drops, it is due to the fact you are hooked up to the suction (aka low pressure) side. If you didn't have any refrigerant in the system, it is unlikely the comp would even kick on. It could still be low though and function, just not very well. If you don't want to waste r-34a, I'd check the dash temperature control for function. Turn the **** all the way to left, then right and listen for the vent door in the heater box to open and close. Keep blower low so you can hear. Check the the vacuum lines in the engine bay that lead in to the firewall for cracks. Check the vacuum storage ball as well.

 

Grumpa, thanks for the response and info. I will check all that out later today and let you know what I find out.

 

Grumpa, i forgot to ask: The clicking I hear every few seconds is coming from the compressor. Is that normal? I have never heard this from any of the other vehicles we have had. Could it be coming from the compressor clutch.

Also, I added a small can of coolant to the system yesterday before posting. I didn't have a gauge on the can. Warm air was coming from the vent before I put the coolant in the system and after I could just barely feel it get cooler. When I put the new can of coolant on the system and saw the needle in the green I just didn't want to over-fill.
It is apparent i have a couple of things to check.
1. Check for vacuum leaks.
2. Check to see if the compressor clutch is working.
3. Check the AC box door.

Again, will post results.

 

Grumpa, I just did a check of the items on the previous post list.
Item 1---No vacuum leaks.

Itme 2---That ticking I hear is the compressor clutch. I turned on the AC to max and watched the compressor. The clutch catches and spins one time then stops for about a second or two and spins again, and the cycle keeps going. My thinking is when it spins it is pushing coolant through the system. When it stops, of course, it's not pushing coolant through the system This is also why I see the needle on the can of coolant go back and forth. Drops when the clutch is not turning and goes high when the clutch spins. I would guess I need a new compressor clutch.

Item 3---I can hear the box door shuting and opening.

Your input please.

 

I have done some more tests and here is what I have found: The clutch coil is OK albet it is pulling the clutch into place for less than a second and then releasing the clutch. This just keeps going on and on. I tested the clutch relay. It is working as it should, although you can feel it make and break as the clutch engages and releases. I don't have the entire wiring diagram but I think the next point is the controller. If it is the controller then i guess I will need to replace it.

Agree or disagree?

 

The comp will kick on and off. It should be on more than off if refrigerant flows good. You could have a dirty orifice tube, not allowing the refrigerant to flow properly. I'm not sure I would trust a gauge on top a can. The fact that when you added refrigerant and it got cooler tells me it is probably still low. Hard to say without using the proper gauges to test the system for high side and low side pressures..Video to give you some detail.

 

Grumpa---Yesterday I saw a post that had exactly the same issue I have. The compressor clutch kicks in and then out after about 1-2 seconds. I tested the power to the coil with a test light. Light goes on and off along with the clutch. Found the clutch relay. Relay operated on and off along with the clutch. Solution was that there was probably moisture in the line somewhere causing a sensor to not allow the clutch to stay engaged. At this point I think my best bet is to take it to a AC service location and have it checked out. I want to get it up and running as we are already getting warm weather here in southern california and we get temps up to 120 degrees in the summer months.

 

Grumpa, took the truck down to Pep-Boys this morning and had them do a diagnostic on the AC System. Turns out the system was just to low of coolant. There are no leaks and after charging the system the AC blows snow! Total cost $108.00.

Something to put in the back of my mind for later reference.

Thanks for all your inputs.

 

Hate to say it but the system DOES have a leak! The A/C system is 100% sealed. If you were low on refrigerant you have a leak. Hopefully it is a very small leak but you will be in the same boat again. There is a dye that can be added to find the leak. (BEST WAY) The electronic leak detectors work good but only as good as the person using them!

 

Rock304----The AC was not working when I purchased the truck in February. I finally got around to checking it as our hot weather is just over the hill, tripple digits in the summer, I took it to Pep-Boys and had it checked out. They said it was very low in coolant (not telling when it was last working), ran a pressure test with dye and said there was no leaks. They did a recharge and now it blows ice.
Thanks for your response and input.

 

Thanks for the info!
Hopefully they checked it closely. The only place they really can't check is the evaporator because it's in the housing at the fire wall. Those do leak but not too often. Just a heads up if you do run into issues later. Other than that stay cool!! I live in the desert Southwest, I know all about 100+ temps and the need for a really good A/C system. We're already in the 80's here and 90's / 100's will be here very very soon. LOL

 

I live in Hemet California. Last summer we had quite a few days of 115 to 120 degrees. I am 73, my wife 70, so we do anything we need to do outside in the early mornings then stay inside the rest of the day with the AC going. Moved here in 2013 from above Santa Barbara. Only 5 miles from the coast. Day temps were in the high 60's-low 70"s with an ocean breeze. Only moved to this hell hole because we didn't have any family left there and my wife's family all live within 30 miles of here. Would go back in a heartbeat but the cost of living went out the roof right after we moved. Good luck and keep cool.