A/C question

[Rodd]

How do you know if your A/C compressor is bad? Today my A/C hasn't been blowing as cold but the compressor is on and spinning. I connected my pressure gauge to the high and low and the pressure was good but I did notice in the little window that the 134a was dark brown and I recall it being almost clear before. Any thoughts?

 

[OrionThade]

If the compressor fails, more than likely there will be metal in the coolant. The only way to know for sure is to have the system evacuated then pull out the orifice tube to see if it caught any metal. If it did, you'll need to replace the A/C compressor, orifice tube and Accumulator, at the very least, and then flush everything else out very well before putting it back together.

 

[JMJNet]

I am not sure but sometimes it is caused by a bad Low Pressure Switch.
This is the one on the Dryer where there is an electrical connector plug into it.

You can replace the switch without disturbing the AC System and freon will not leak out.

The switch is fairly cheap, even a genuine ACDelco brand is not that expensive.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

How do you know if your A/C compressor is bad? Today my A/C hasn't been blowing as cold but the compressor is on and spinning. I connected my pressure gauge to the high and low and the pressure was good but I did notice in the little window that the 134a was dark brown and I recall it being almost clear before. Any thoughts?

The charghe window in your guages is only for telling you if liquid or gas is going into the system while charging. With the guages hooked up, both your valves should be closed and no refrigerant will circulate through it. What were the pressures? Dual or single air? Were both airs on if dual air? So many variables to A/C that it is impossible to tell you more without knowing all of the details.

 

[Rodd]

It seems to be working now. It is a dual system and the pressure w/ the a/c on was 30 psi iirc. I think the condenser may be losing its internal coating.