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2000 durango AC problems


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kybandit
New User

May 3, 2010, 5:25 PM

Post #1 of 7 (8877 views)
2000 durango AC problems Sign In

2000 dodge durango 5.2 130,000 miles

I'm having an AC issue...I can't get my clutch to pull in...I have 13.9 volts between the hot side of clutch plug and battery ground...I jumpered both hi/lo switches and nothing...I checked relay in distribution panel and I guess it checked out ok, I mean the coil was good and found power on the #3{n/o contact} and ground..I can run a jumper from the clutch ground side to the neg battery terminal and it pulls in...There is 13.9 volts on the clutch plug regardless if the AC dash switch is on or off...Any ideas would be blessing...


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 3, 2010, 5:41 PM

Post #2 of 7 (8871 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In

The ground wire at the clutch should go directly to ground and the power side should only have power when the relay is energized which may be most of the time. If it energized when you jump the ground, then that is your problem. Simply repair the ground.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



kybandit
New User

May 3, 2010, 7:07 PM

Post #3 of 7 (8868 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In

There is power on the clutch plug all the time now, even if the AC dash switch isn't calling for AC...I read somewhere that the PCM controls the ground...I reset it but still nothing...It said that the pressure swithches, ess switch and pcm are all tied in series...I am a refrigeration and AC mechanic and this is stumping me...I'm trying to read up on the ess switch which is supposed to have a cap tube running off it to protect from too low of evaporator temps, but don't see any cap tube...I'm stuck...And if I was to run a ground from battery to neg side of clutch, clutch would stay pulled in even if the AC switch and blower is off...


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 3, 2010, 7:10 PM

Post #4 of 7 (8865 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In

I just told you what was wrong with the system. It's normal for the compressor to remain engaged most of the time. These new systems do that on purpose to reduce moisture in the air. Worry about fixing the ground at the compressor. That's the only problem.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



kybandit
New User

May 3, 2010, 7:39 PM

Post #5 of 7 (8861 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In

The compressor clutch relay is an electromechanical
device that switches battery current to the compressor
clutch coil when the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) grounds the coil side of the relay. The
PCM responds to inputs from the heater-A/C mode
control switch, the electronic cycling clutch switch,
the low pressure cut-off switch, and the high pressure
cut-off switch. See Compressor Clutch Relay in
the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for
more information.
The compressor clutch relay is located in the Power
Distribution Center (PDC) in the engine compartment.
Refer to the PDC label for relay identification
and location.
The compressor clutch relay cannot be repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
The ECCS is connected in series electrically with
the heater-A/C mode control switch, the low pressure
cut-off switch and the high pressure cut-off switch
between ground and the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM). The ECCS will open when it monitors a
refrigerant temperature below about 2.9° C (37.2° F),
and will close again when the refrigerant temperature
reaches about 4.3° C (39.7° F). The opening and
closing of the ECCS signals the PCM to cycle the
compressor clutch on and off through the compressor
clutch relay.
The compressor clutch engagement is controlled by
several components: the heater-A/C mode control
switch, the electronic cycling clutch switch, the low
pressure cut-off switch, the high pressure cut-off
switch, the compressor clutch relay, and the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM). The PCM may delay
compressor clutch engagement for up to thirty seconds.
Refer to Group 14 - Fuel System

From this read, all these are in series with the clutch...If I'm losing my ground, wouldn't it be because of the pcm, and if so, where are the pcm grounds located...It would make sense for power to be on the clutch all the time, using the negative side for all the switching...Just can't find where I'm losing my ground...Worst case scenario, I guess I could pull 2 wires inside and mount to toggle under dash to manual switch clutch on/off...Boy I don't want to do that...


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

May 3, 2010, 11:04 PM

Post #6 of 7 (8851 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In

You are making this way more complicated than it has to be...... I think the problem here is you think the PCM is the direct connection for the a/c clutch and you're worried about damaging a driver (ok this is a Chrysler JTEC PCM, so that's a legitimate fear).........It's not the direct connection..........The PCM controls the clutch via grounding pin #86 of the a/c clutch relay.

A relay is an electro-magnetic devise that uses a low current circuit to control a high current circuit. There is no direct connection between the control & load circuits......That's the whole point of a relay.

Your problem is on the ground side of a load circuit........It goes straight to ground...(ok, I lied, there is splice S108 that taps a few other ground together and then goes straight to ground)

You could cut that ground wire, run it straight to the compressor body and the system would work the same as it did before (actually a lot of import & some domestic compressors use single power wire connectors with the ground going right to the compressor body)

If you want to trace the ground out that's cool. Since I'm assuming your radio & O2s are working connection G105 where is goes to ground is probably good. I would check splice S108, thats in the harness on the top left side of the engine near the back...... A quck seach didn't show me where G105 was at......

If it was mine.........I'd be running a ground wire to the compressor body or intake manifold.........


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 4, 2010, 2:26 AM

Post #7 of 7 (8850 views)
Re: 2000 durango AC problems Sign In


Quote
.I can run a jumper from the clutch ground side to the neg battery terminal and it pulls in


If this is the compressor itself that your talking about here, then all you need to do is make that ground permanent at the compressor. You keep talking about the ground at the relay but that's not what I am talking about.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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