Air Conditioning starts stops
BF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,625
From: Florida
I would check the following:
When you have a call for AC, is voltage being sent to the AC compressor clutch. If so then the clutch is bad.
There is usually a low pressure switch attached to a schrader port that will not allow the compressor clutch to energize if the 134a charge is low. BRIEFLY try open and then closed on the leads to see if the clutch will energize. If so then you have low charge or a faulty sensor and that needs to be addressed. If not and there is no voltage to the clutch then you have an electrical problem.
As mentioned earlier these are critically charged systems using a small amount of refrigerant. Although low charge is possible and a stab at the correct amount to get the low pressure switch to turn on may work, the system will not be properly repaired. Note, in the US it is illegal to vent refrigerant into the atmosphere and even illegal to attach a gauge set without an EPA licence even though 134a can be purchased by the layperson (all other refrigerants require said licence). If your system has a sight glass, look to see if bubbles pass through at the start up of the system and then turn to solid liquid soon after. If so, you probably have enough or too much charge. If the sight glass keeps passing bubbles or foam then you have inadequate charge or a system fault that needs to be addressed.
Another thing to consider is that if the system gets opened, even if the gas is properly recovered and not vented - you should have the accumulator/dryer, cap tube and related o-rings replaced and the system has to be pressure tested, pulled into a vacuum and then be critically charged by weight or else the system will not operate properly and these are tools and skills not typically possessed by the layperson.
Post back.
When you have a call for AC, is voltage being sent to the AC compressor clutch. If so then the clutch is bad.
There is usually a low pressure switch attached to a schrader port that will not allow the compressor clutch to energize if the 134a charge is low. BRIEFLY try open and then closed on the leads to see if the clutch will energize. If so then you have low charge or a faulty sensor and that needs to be addressed. If not and there is no voltage to the clutch then you have an electrical problem.
As mentioned earlier these are critically charged systems using a small amount of refrigerant. Although low charge is possible and a stab at the correct amount to get the low pressure switch to turn on may work, the system will not be properly repaired. Note, in the US it is illegal to vent refrigerant into the atmosphere and even illegal to attach a gauge set without an EPA licence even though 134a can be purchased by the layperson (all other refrigerants require said licence). If your system has a sight glass, look to see if bubbles pass through at the start up of the system and then turn to solid liquid soon after. If so, you probably have enough or too much charge. If the sight glass keeps passing bubbles or foam then you have inadequate charge or a system fault that needs to be addressed.
Another thing to consider is that if the system gets opened, even if the gas is properly recovered and not vented - you should have the accumulator/dryer, cap tube and related o-rings replaced and the system has to be pressure tested, pulled into a vacuum and then be critically charged by weight or else the system will not operate properly and these are tools and skills not typically possessed by the layperson.
Post back.
Last edited by GeorgeLG; Jul 31, 2016 at 11:31 AM.
Beginning Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 25
From: naugatuck ct
I just had this problem. check all the plugs on the compressor. I had to bend the prongs on the plug on top of the compressor toward the radiator. Fixed plug stays tight and compressor stays on. cold air 
Hope its that easy for you bro.
Hope its that easy for you bro.
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