q

 

Since you say no usual power drain can be felt; it may be a failed compressor clutch. Check for power at the compressor connector and if it’s ok, then suspect the clutch. Unfortunately, the clutch is not available as an OEM replacement part, so it either must be cannibalized from another good core, or replace the complete compressor unit to get it. It is also a good idea to replace the dryer along with the clutch/compressor if the vehicle is more than a couple years old. Another unfortunate issue, both are pricey parts.

 

From what you describe, it sounds more like a compressor failure. But it could also be a leak in the system... It's a bit odd for it to leak out over as short a period as a week, but it something significant ruptured it could happen. Charging the system would obviously have no effect if the system is no longer a closed loop.

How did the charge process go? Generally speaking, you charge an AC system from the low-pressure side, which effective uses the compressor to suck in the coolant. If your compressor was not operating, you would have found it difficult to get coolant into the system. Conversely, if it went in easily but had no effect on the vent temp., it may suggest the leak I mentioned earlier, or at least that there is air in your system.

I would take take the car in for diagnostics (but not to the dealer just yet!)... Most any garage can run a simple test for leaks in the system by pulling a vacuum on the system and seeing if it will hold. Many will perform this test for free. An AC specialty shop will usually charge around $100 to run an in depth diagnostic that will tell you what problems you have, where they're at, and what it would run you to fix it. I recently paid $97 for just such a test on my Porsche - Results came back as a seized compressor and a leaking condenser. It certainly wasn't good news, but I felt it was worth the $$ to know exactly what was wrong.

 

Thanks to both of you. I would check the power at the compressor, If I could find it Also, when filling, it seemed to have quite a lot of resistance, but I think it filled. I had a hard time getting the pop on service valve from the 134 can on, do quite a lot of what was in there, leaked out. It was hot yesterday, around 90, reading 95 blowing in the car, I filled to 55 lbs (if I recall correctly, what it indicated to charge to for ambient temp) and an hour later I checked it again and it hadn't dropped in pressure. I haven't checked today. I mentioned I checked the fuses, but how about those black square ones? How do you know if one of those are bad? I noticed one of the fuse maps indicated a snow flake logo for one (maybe more )...thoughts?

 

symptoms sound like what I just had on the 02

new compressor time.....

 

Look at the embedded link in post#2 for the compressor and its power connector location.

 

Is the compressor turning with the AC on and the engine running? Make sure the center part in front of the pulley is spinning.

 

http://youtu.be/y9DQasHwdQA

My video may help this. Ac compressor clutch coils go bad on these things.