2000 ford ranger xlt

[Bamadams]

Hello,

I just noticed the ac stopped producing cold air this week first time I used it since last summer. I put in a can of the refill Freon and nothing changed it was a 14 oz can. I’m not sure if I put enough in. I checked all the fuses in the cab and in the engine compartment and nothing is blown. I disconnected the battery for about 20 minutes hoping it might reset something while it was unhooked I unplugged the compressor and checked all the wiring I could see and all wiring and connections seemed fine. I started the engine back up and the ac compressor cycles on and then off again about 3 seconds on and 5 seconds off same timing as the defrost, face and feet, and feet and defrost. Still no cold air and it’s starting to get hot up in the mountains. I bought the cheap can of Freon that didn’t have a gauge any one know the number range it should be at ?

 

[Dirtman]

You cant diagnose or charge an AC system without guages...

 

[Bamadams]

You cant diagnose or charge an AC system without guages...

Yeah I kinda figured that and went with the small can without one with hopes it would work. I did the same on my Honda CR-V and recharged the system and was the coldest ac I’ve felt. I did how ever scare my self when I over filled and the blow out valve opened up. Do you happen to know any specs as to what the psi should be at when I do get a gauge on it. Yeah not gonna waste any money on one without a gauge in the future

 

[Bamadams]

Thanks for your advice as well!

 

[Dirtman]

The low side charge psi is dependent on the air temp.

I really suggest hitting up youtube and watching some videos on automotive hvac. The little recharge kits they sell at auto parts stores really shouldn't exist. There's a ton more info you need to understand about AC systems than just squeezing in some new juice. There's a nice lady on here who is an hvac expert, im sure she will chime in with some more detailed info.

@Denisefwd93

 

[Bamadams]

Thanks again and I’ve already checked out some YouTube videos and I noticed that gauges are based off the air temperature so I will make sure to get a better one next time and not waste my time or money.

 

[Bamadams]

I figured my issue was that I didn’t actually have a gauge and I just put in an unknown amount but I wanted to check if there was other issues before I bought another better can.

 

[Dirtman]

When you charge.. you charge only one side of the system. Without knowing the pressure on both sides its not easy to diagnose. You said you saw the compresser clutch kick on and off but there are a ton of other variables.

 

[Bamadams]

No vibration at all everything seems normal except no cold air. It seems to me that on ac mode it’s doesnt kick on long enough so maybe there isn’t enough pressure for it to stay on longer. I’ll do the right thing and put a gauge on it and put an update when I know more. Is there anything else I should look into that you can think of? I’ve learned start with the easy fixes and go from there

 

[Uncle Gump]

Took this from Birds thread... courtesy of Denise

 

[Bamadams]

Thank you that’s great information

 

[Dirtman]

Check the tech articles at the top of the site. I think theres some good info on ac repair there

 

[Curious Hound]

If refrigerant leaked out, it may be wise To find out where and repair that. Again, watching the pressures is a big step in figuring this out.

 

[Uncle Gump]

With the clutch cycling on and off as it's doing... it's a pretty good sign that the system is low. When the compressor engages on a system that is low... it takes no time to pull the low side below the threshold of the cycling switch... compressor shuts off. When pressure rises above that threshold... the clutch engages again.... repeat endlessly.

Being it worked last year and not this year... and you added a can.... it's still low... I would take this time to look for a leak. Inspect all visible hose connections and as much of the condenser as you can see. Refrigerant carries small amounts of oil as it circulates in the system. You would notice a dirty dusty oily residue at a leak location.

Edit... then there is a leak detector... you may be able to rent one?

 

[Bamadams]

Update

AC was low on freon bought another bottle with a gauge and filled it up to the correct pressure using the chart above. Thanks for that the picture was very helpful and was more accurate that what the gauge on the bottle said. AC is blasting cold air and I will keep an eye on it and if I lose pressure I might try the leak detection can but everything seems to working just right now. Thanks for all the helpful replies!