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A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 13, 2022, 2:29 PM
Post #1 of 17
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A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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2006 Chevy Trailblazer 2nd 6 Cylinder 150k +/- Mileage A/C went out and blows only hot air. No real issues up to that point. Checked the low pressure switch and bypasses it to see if clutch kicked on and it did. But still no cold air. Replaced the low pressure switch - but clutch still doesn’t run when AC turned on. Refrigerant level is good. No leaks that I’m aware of and holding pressure in system. What should I do next ? Thank you very mutch.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 13, 2022, 2:58 PM
Post #2 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Keep jumping thing you'll really screw this up! What's the plain "static" pressure of the system? If or when it's way to low or nothing it's not going to turn on clutch. Don't force one if when low charge shuts it off it has no lube will wreck it. Just take a static pressure and don't mess with this you're about to cause issues it didn't have IMO. Static pressure at about 80F (cold engine) should be above 80 PSI if lower it's essentially out. A/C isn't DIY friendly you should seek the right shop for help with what it needs, T
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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 13, 2022, 3:37 PM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Thanks for responding. I used the gauge on a refrigerant can I have. Didn’t add any as the reading showed “full”. And I understand that A/C systems aren’t easy. I would take it to a shop but I just can’t right now man. Im a teacher and not a lot of $ and the school year just started so I’m trying to fix if I can. Thanks for your help.
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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 13, 2022, 3:39 PM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Thanks man. I’ll get that info asap and get back.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 13, 2022, 4:10 PM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Color gauge said so no doubt. Doesn't mean anything without a # at and during all conditions observed so let's go jumping everything. OP, try to save you untold grief over what might be simple now making it a real costly nightmare. I know it super-hot in many places this isn't the approach so far, Tom
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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 13, 2022, 4:35 PM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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I understand what you’re saying. Without an accurate number I was hoping that gauge could ballpark it as close to what it really is. It I’m getting the AC manifold gauges in just a bit and I’ll let you know what they say for the high and low. And yeah, I appreciate your help. Just don’t know exactly what to do. It’s about 100 degrees out right now and I’m not used to this weather - this is my wife’s type of climate but she’s 5 ft tiny and, well I’m not. I’ll be back but prob not till later this evening. Thanks again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 13, 2022, 4:52 PM
Post #9 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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I've come on bit harsh isn't like me most of the time - SORRY. Those kits are not the answer to squat. Trust me if just Hammer and myself we've seen what BS up to wild damage those once called "Death Kits" can do. If you could compare some foolish gauge with real gauge you might have a chance but still not enough info. You need to know the exact temp, RPM of engine and can't be off a smidge! Ask around what it costs for help the equipment is so nasty costly it just isn't worth it. Old days - I MEAN REAL OLD DAYS - cars had sight glasses you saw how full they were also could be off a pound WOULD STILL WORK fine. Now there's dozens or more reasons it isn't operating could be engine is too hot, fans not right or who knows? There would be codes for many things still isn't worth it. Ask around. A quick check isn't always horribly costly might be a freebie if easy and obvious? Again - I feel the pain it just broke the 100F days here stinks to even work in! Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 13, 2022, 5:34 PM
Post #10 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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What you have to understand is those indications on that gauge are for a system that is operating, not off. Static pressure and operating pressure are totally different. The other thing you have to understand is contrary to what they are saying, the pressure is not an indication of how much refrigerant is in the system. Static pressure will be the same whether it has one pound or three pounds. You have to understand how refrigeration works to diagnose these systems. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 14, 2022, 10:03 PM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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I really appreciate your help - both of you. And I understand how you can get irritated easily when people (like myself) read so many advice tips on just adding refrigerant or jumping the switch (which I got from the repair manual by the way!) And I’ve read about people asking for advice being smart asses while asking for help - all good. So I finally got readings for the low and high pressure after the truck has been sitting for about 2 hours. The low was 10 and the high was about 20. I already know this is bad news. But all in all thanks for the help guys. I have to work tomorrow - been riding in the bike in 100+ 😰 but I obviously have a leak somewhere and my compressor and probably more is all bad I'm assuming. Since the system is almost empty anyway maybe I’ll start on replacing parts of that’s what’s needed. Have a good night and I appreciate you both.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2022, 2:22 AM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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OK, The first job with those pressures WHEN compressor is working show almost nothing is left in the system so finding the leak is the job. Leaks usually leave oily messes where they do. Connections of lines, the condenser could be harmed, and hub of compressor behind clutch oily is a shaft seal. It shut off so it would but the belt seizing up compressor as oil isn't being circulated without it operational! Many failsafes shut it down if/when things are not right for it to work. If a compressor explodes the car isn't going anywhere (most) so priorities in order. Those are late so damage happens! Kits that are out to sell don't give a hoot if your job works just sell products - lots of them with endless videos how easy it is to fix vs seeking help that can take years of experience and a freaking fortune of equipment just to get started! So that's why this part of car work/repair gets costly and a bad rap. Now I hope jumping things didn't screw up whole systems and make this a total nightmare you didn't have but could have known from just taking it's "tire pressure" I called "static" pressure know it's essentially a flat tire you are NOT going to just fill up and be all fine. YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT WAS EMPTY! IT'S NOT YOUR TOTAL FAULT THERE'S SO MUCH LOUSY INFO OUT THERE IT'S SCARY. Find help! This is a science of its own for the most basic functions let alone in a moving vehicle with various conditions constantly you need info live and fast while it's working. DEATH KITS DON'T STAND A CHANCE! Onward - forget the lies on the web selling products this is its own trade busy now I'm sure stinks is and was a large # of places and people with a shortage of techs at the ready. Best of luck - it's not DIY friendly rather a total science first then knowing what to do about it YEARS to get there, Carry on, Tom Greenleaf
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2022, 3:46 AM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Tom covered this pretty good. The only thing I want to add is that the amount of charge is critical so you shouldn't just arbitrarily add refrigerant to the system. You may have to add some to look for the leak but before the system is run it should be fully evacuated, put under vacuum for 30 minutes and then charged with the exact specified weight of refrigerant which in this case is.... AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT Refrigerant Charge .................... 0.8 kg (1.9 lbs.) Refrigerant Charge with Rear A/C .................... 1.2 kg (2.65 lbs.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2022, 4:27 AM
Post #14 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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IF you even think you will take this on AFTER finding an easy leak or don't waste time and $$. I'd try, you can rent a vacuum pump (depends where you are) free will also have gauges (real 'manifold set) and YOU get a real scale good to .5 oz. To a hair it holds 28.22 ounces today is higher capacity than some could wiggle up or down an ounce IMO also factor if still 100F out system isn't going to blow ice at you - that's an extreme. Already said, finding the leak is first then how to fix it. Then determine what else once that's solved. THIS CRAP IS FUSSY, NOT FOR THE TIMID. Be on target or don't, Tom :-)
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LodiDanM
Novice
Aug 15, 2022, 7:44 AM
Post #15 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Thanks man. I’m gonna find that leak and I’m gonna handle this thing (cause I have no choice really 😬) I’ll post updates. With your guys help I’m gonna fix this bitch!….or destroy her 🤷🏻♂️
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2022, 8:20 AM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Leaks are not easy to find, especially with no equipment. Even for the best tech it can be hard to find, especially if the leak is in the evaporator. Look for oily spots near connections, seals and on the condenser. Not knowing how fast the leak is you may have to have it charged once to get a feel on how long it may last. They could also add some dye at that time to help look for the leak with a U/V light. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2022, 8:48 AM
Post #17 of 17
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Re: A/C Blowing Hot Air / Clutch Works with Switch Jumped
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Leaks if/when slow are a real pest! You can get (or could) cans w dye counts as 12oz - read label. It's so GREEN you don't need the UV light. For now the hell on wheels would be the evaporator look for where it used to drip off firewall it would show some oil if a rubber elbow tube dirty inside. Some rubber elbows (if used) are like a Whoopie Chushion closed at the end you can (if enough) snip some. If this never worked this season and it was exposed to super cold OUTDOORS my own leak out compressor shafts! No oil evidence. They stay tight all the rest of the year or if inside semi-heated garage doesn't freeze. All are old none a lot of miles. You could vacuum it out now see if that holds I would your pressures are so low that could just be warmed up air in this. Add the dye it will stay and give you evidence if so costs about double small cans of 134a or did. Some came with dye new! Look at low side cap at Shrader is it green there now? It's almost dead now just touch the Shrader like a tire valve don't mess with high side yet except just to look, see if it's a ball valve not Shrader. Those stink from the get go. Leak first nothing else is going to be known till that's holding fixed or the bummer of shaft seal thing I have on my own toooo many cars, trucks and stuff never seen before! Tom
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