One evening I went to pick up my brother in quite a severe rain storm driving through some pretty high standing water (probably close to a foot deep in places). The next day I drove my car and the AC just didn't work, the fan blows, the compressor sounds like it's kicking in, but there is absolutely no cold air. I put a gauge on the low side, and it reads zero when the compressor is on (the gauge doesn't display negative readings).
I am currently living in Miami, and AC is pretty important in the summer!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
AC Suddenly Stopped Working
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
Re: AC Suddenly Stopped Working
Welcome to the BBS.
I would first suggest looking at all the AC lines and condenser for any cracks or damage. Something might have hit the condenser up front and caused the system to depressurize.
What is the system pressure when the compressor is not running?
I would first suggest looking at all the AC lines and condenser for any cracks or damage. Something might have hit the condenser up front and caused the system to depressurize.
What is the system pressure when the compressor is not running?
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Re: AC Suddenly Stopped Working
Hi,
thanks for the reply!
The low-side pressure is 35 psi when the compressor is off.
(I only have the "low-side" gauge).
thanks for the reply!
The low-side pressure is 35 psi when the compressor is off.
(I only have the "low-side" gauge).
Re: AC Suddenly Stopped Working
It sounds like there may be an obstruction somewhere in the system or reduced flow which is causing the suction side to go near zero.
Honestly, I would suggest taking it to an AC shop and have them look at it. Without the proper tools and diagnostic equipment working on the AC system can be pretty challenging.
Honestly, I would suggest taking it to an AC shop and have them look at it. Without the proper tools and diagnostic equipment working on the AC system can be pretty challenging.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Re: AC Suddenly Stopped Working
Is that a stabilized pressure? When you let the car sit for a while, the high and low side pressures are equal. This pressure in psi should be an approximate match as the ambient temperature in Fahrenheit. In your case, it appears that you lost a refrigerant charge. Add some refrigerant and start sniffing around. Check pressures and keep adding refrigerant (within reason.. if it goes flat in a day, don't...) to maintain a positive pressure in the system until you can get it fixed.
When its topped off, liquid refrigerant maintains pressure in line and the reason to do this is to prevent further ingestion of air into the system which will cause damage.
If it's 80F outside and you're reading 30psi when the AC hasn't been turned on in a few hours, it's almost certain that refrigerant is lost. When you check both sides(high and low) and they're equal and you're reading substantially below ambient temperature in F in psi pressure, then its a positive confirmation.
If the high and low do not equalize even after some time, you have a solid obstruction in the system.
With enough refrigerant in system to keep psi = ambient in F, spray soapy water on condenser and line connections and look for bubbles. Repair these connections, pull a vacuum and verify that it holds a vacuum.
Once you get it repaired until it holds a vacuum, replace the dryer. Vacuum again, then recharge.
When its topped off, liquid refrigerant maintains pressure in line and the reason to do this is to prevent further ingestion of air into the system which will cause damage.
If it's 80F outside and you're reading 30psi when the AC hasn't been turned on in a few hours, it's almost certain that refrigerant is lost. When you check both sides(high and low) and they're equal and you're reading substantially below ambient temperature in F in psi pressure, then its a positive confirmation.
If the high and low do not equalize even after some time, you have a solid obstruction in the system.
With enough refrigerant in system to keep psi = ambient in F, spray soapy water on condenser and line connections and look for bubbles. Repair these connections, pull a vacuum and verify that it holds a vacuum.
Once you get it repaired until it holds a vacuum, replace the dryer. Vacuum again, then recharge.