'98 Ram A/C question

'98 Ram 1500 QC 2WD 5.9 Auto SB -133k miles

I get in the vehicle and drive for 10-15 minutes and the AC will be fine. After that the discharge air warms up and the compressor kicks off.

I put a manifold set on the ports..... Low side pressure is thru the roof...pins the needle. High side pressure is very very low.

is it a bad compressor or something else?

thanks in advance rich

Reply to
rich s
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Sounds like you put your gauges on backwards!

Reply to
PeterD

guages only go on one way due to the size of the connectors.......

the low side gage only goes to 90, the high side gage goes considerably higher.... the system equalized itself but because the pressure was a little ove 100 the low side gage needle pegged out.

I did some diagnostics/trouble shooting.... the low pressure cycle switch and high pressure cut off switch work as they are supposed to and when you remove the connectors from each and short the circuit the compressor kicks on and turns off when you remove the short.

the voltage to the clutch coil is present and high... the thing is the clutch won't kick on when the engine/system gets hot so either the clutch needs attention or the magnetic coil is the problem..... being that it only happens when the engine and ambient temp are hot I suspect its the magnetic coil.

new question.... can you but the clutch, shims and magnetic coil without having to buy a compressor or am I stuck buying a compressor.... all the places I've checked only sell compressors (with and without clutches) ...... no clutches or magnetic coils.....

Reply to
rich s

I hate to say I'm in the same boat as you, clutch has magnetism when it "should be on" but it isn't strong enough to pull the pulley to turn pump. I cant find just a clutch for my 00 Dakota, so it needs the whole compressor. I'd also guess, that if your low side is that high (when equalized? I would think someone tried to add a can to fix it, assuming it didn't come on because it was too low (didn't have gauges or knowledge you have). compressor is like 325, clutches for some 'compressors are that much according to my AC person. I'm hoping to get a working compressor, from a salvage buddy...

guages only go on one way due to the size of the connectors.......

the low side gage only goes to 90, the high side gage goes considerably higher.... the system equalized itself but because the pressure was a little ove 100 the low side gage needle pegged out.

I did some diagnostics/trouble shooting.... the low pressure cycle switch and high pressure cut off switch work as they are supposed to and when you remove the connectors from each and short the circuit the compressor kicks on and turns off when you remove the short.

the voltage to the clutch coil is present and high... the thing is the clutch won't kick on when the engine/system gets hot so either the clutch needs attention or the magnetic coil is the problem..... being that it only happens when the engine and ambient temp are hot I suspect its the magnetic coil.

new question.... can you but the clutch, shims and magnetic coil without having to buy a compressor or am I stuck buying a compressor.... all the places I've checked only sell compressors (with and without clutches) ...... no clutches or magnetic coils.....

Reply to
PlowBoy

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