I have a 2004 XL-7. On a road trip from Florida to Chicago last December it experienced extreme cold, one of the coldest times around 10-20 below zero F. During the whole time, the heat and defrost worked fine.
On the trip back to Florida, also in December, as soon as we entered Georgia and it started getting warm, we started running the AC and noticed it wasn't getting cool at all. It seemed momentarily when we stopped at a rest stop, the engine just revved high on its own then went down to normal before I shut it off. I checked the AC fuse (compressor fuse?) and it wasn't busted. It never did that again though (the high rev).
I stopped at a Discount Auto during the roadtrip and got one of those R134a refill cans with the pressure gauge and showed it was low on R134a, as the pressure was reading low while the engine was running with the AC set to max cool. I was suspecting that maybe in the extreme cold somehow coolant leaked around the seals? But now we're in warmer weather those seals sealed up again?
Since that trip, I haven't had to refill it with R134a but the pressure seems to stay at around 45 psi (measured at the low side), when I thought that it should go down to 25 psi when the compressor kicks in? I don't recall or notice the compressor even kicking in, as I let it run 15-20 minutes and it maintained 45 psi, indicating it's filled with R134a. But, I don't hear any belt squealing and I am getting it comfortably cool, but not as "ice cold" as it used to be, and it also takes a little longer to cool.
Is there anything wrong? Should I check the fuse again, or could it be the compressor considering there is no belt squealing or any visible indication that something is wrong like the check engine light? I'm a little concerned because we're making that 1200 mile trip back to Chicago, this time in the hot summer and don't know if I'm risking anything though I can't notice anything visibly wrong.
Sorry for the long explanation, but if anyone knows or could advise anything ASAP I would appreciate it as I leave this Saturday. I'll be checking this forum often or my e-mail for any responses. Thanks.
I'm doing a little research myself and maybe it's related to this compressor clutch not engaging as noted in the website below which sells the canned R134a?
It says adding refrigerant may alleviate the problem and make the clutch engage but according to my last measurement I had sufficient amount of refrigerant, already at the high end of the limit (45 psi measured at the low side as I noted in my original post above).
general rule of thumb for pressure is - low side should be half of ambient, high side should be twice ambient with the compressor running. so if outside temp is 70, low side should be around 35, high side around 140psi.
its possible if the refridgerant level got low enough, it may gone into suction on the low side and drawn in some air which would make it less efficient.
also the compressor should be cycling on and off every 30-45 seconds with a normal charge.
best thing to do may be to have a shop recover whats in there, draw a good vacuum and refill with the proper amount.
maybe add some uv dye in case there is a leak, it can easily be traced.
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2008 suzuki SX4 sport sedan 5spd FWD
2006 suzuki boulevard C50 SE
general rule of thumb for pressure is - low side should be half of ambient, high side should be twice ambient with the compressor running. so if outside temp is 70, low side should be around 35, high side around 140psi.
its possible if the refridgerant level got low enough, it may gone into suction on the low side and drawn in some air which would make it less efficient.
also the compressor should be cycling on and off every 30-45 seconds with a normal charge.
best thing to do may be to have a shop recover whats in there, draw a good vacuum and refill with the proper amount.
maybe add some uv dye in case there is a leak, it can easily be traced.
Thank you. Hate to sound like a total newbie, but how can I tell on an XL7 that the compressor is cycling? Can I visibly see it or hear it in the engine bay? For my 2004, it's so "busy" and tight in there compared to my Honda Civic, maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place or not hearing for the right thing.
Edit: I will also check the fusebox again tomorrow.
yo9u should able to hear and see it cycle. you may need a flashlight, but you will see the center part of the compressor clutch start and stop. usually accompanied by a "click"
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2008 suzuki SX4 sport sedan 5spd FWD
2006 suzuki boulevard C50 SE
yo9u should able to hear and see it cycle. you may need a flashlight, but you will see the center part of the compressor clutch start and stop. usually accompanied by a "click"
If I have a gauge attached to the low side while the AC is running, would the pressure go down if the compressor kicked in?
yo9u should able to hear and see it cycle. you may need a flashlight, but you will see the center part of the compressor clutch start and stop. usually accompanied by a "click"
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngrome
If I have a gauge attached to the low side while the AC is running, would the pressure go down if the compressor kicked in?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chewy7097
Yes - the pressure on the low side will drop when the compressor kicks on.
Problem is, I don't see the pressure dropping. How soon should the compressor kick in after I just started the vehicle?
I waited 15 minutes after starting, though it was getting cool, it wasn't super cold, but the vehicle was only on idle. No belt squeals or anything showing that the compressor was locked. So possibly the AC clutch not engaging? When I do run it on the road, to does seem to get cooler, but can't tell then if clutch is actually engaging.
Problem is, I don't see the pressure dropping. How soon should the compressor kick in after I just started the vehicle?
I waited 15 minutes after starting, though it was getting cool, it wasn't super cold, but the vehicle was only on idle. No belt squeals or anything showing that the compressor was locked. So possibly the AC clutch not engaging? When I do run it on the road, to does seem to get cooler, but can't tell then if clutch is actually engaging.
My compressor kicks in right away - I can hear it. If in doubt, look at the pulley on the AC Compressor - when engaged, it will be spinning quickly. It sounds like you're clutch pulley isn't engaging. Check fuses and relays first. Could be that your clutch pulley is gone, or simply could be a bad fuse or relay.
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AC question - HELP PLEASE
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