AC blows cold then hot, has a full charge

[96]

My 96 ranger blows cold for a bit then gets hot on both AC settings. Checked the refrigerant level and it's fine. Any thoughts? It's the 2.3 liter also if that matters

 

[veefer800canuck]

Maybe the chiller is icing up?

Try turning the AC off, keeping the fan ON and the heat LOW and see if it gets cool (and moist) again, then warm again.

If so, perhaps your chiller is icing up on the outside, blocking airflow.

My 94 used to do that on long highway drives after about an hour.

I'd switch the AC OFF, leave the Fan on, and it would get cool right away, blow very moist air for about 5 mins, then get warm again.

Switch the AC back on and it was good for about another hour or so.

 

[veefer800canuck]

Edit: Duplicate post, ignore...

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

It it works good while moving you have a lack of airflow through the condenser.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Did you use a manifold guage set to check the charge? You need to know the high and low pressures to check system performance. Did you add refrigerant?

 

[96]

I just ordered a gauge set, should be here in a few days. Condensor is not icing over either. I just hope the compressor is not going out!

 

[Hoofhearted]

I just ordered a gauge set, should be here in a few days. Condensor is not icing over either. I just hope the compressor is not going out!

You should be able to go to Autozone and rent for free the guage set, high and low pressure lines, with the yellow service line between- vacuum pump too. You actually purchase them (more than $200 total) but you'll get every penny back when you return them.

Is it constantly go through a cycle? You know, the air starts cold, then gets warm for a while, then gets cold for a bit, etc etc?

If so, it does sound like you have some moisture in the system. It (atmosphere) usually gets in from a leak.

Moisture ices up in your compressor- not good. It shuts down, thaws out, and then works again till it freezes up once more.

If this is so, FIX the leak -not with gimick refrigerants with built in sealers, but by finding the bad o-ring or worn line or whatever, and properly repairing it.

Then vacuum out your system for half hour or more (legally you should have the existing refrigerant in your system captured).
Then use your gauges to vac check and make sure you fixed the leak.
Then add some refrigerant oil and recharge your system with refrigerant.

Be sure to add some UV dye so if you ever leak compressor oil, you can find the source of the leak in the dark with a uv light.

Hope that helps. I'm no expert but have repaired and recharged system before.