AC Works but Compressor Short Cycles

[Angry Possum]

I recently bought my Ranger last year. The AC worked decently cold, but the AC pump comes on and shuts off every 10 seconds or so. Is this normal. 93 Ranger 4.0 XLT. When I bought the Ranger used last year, I'm not sure if the old owner went to the new freon or not. If it's not broke dont fix it I suppose.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Typically that means the system is low on charge.

See how it cools one it gets warmer... if it doesn't properly cool it's most likely low.

If it's been converted... the service ports will have 134a adaptors.

 

[Angry Possum]

Typically that means the system is low on charge.

See how it cools one it gets warmer... if it doesn't properly cool it's most likely low.

If it's been converted... the service ports will have 134a adaptors.

Yes it has the 134a service ports. And its been cool here in NY, so I'll take your advice when the weather starts to get warmer. Thanks

 

[Angry Possum]

I put in about 1/2 a can yesterday and it's not short cycling as bad now. So yeah it was definitely low in freon. I don't want to overcharge it, because it's cooling really good now.

 

[09fx4guy]

Get yourself a set of gauges from Harbor Freight, they usually go for about $50. Then you will be able to get a more accurate reading on how the system is behaving. It may sound like a lot of money compared to those cans that come with the little gauge with the trigger. However, not knowing the high side, you may end up over pressure on the high side.

It is possible you may have a very small leak as well. You will just have to keep an eye on it.

 

[Angry Possum]

No leak. And the gauge on my AC refill kit works pretty good. I just got the Ranger last year. And it cooled decently. This year I want to give it a little charge.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well... if the system was low... it has a leak. They can be tough to find.

As for a set of gauges... they are a really good investment if you maintain your vehicles yourself. It's nearly impossible to perform any real diagnosis of an A/C system performance using only a low side gauge.