Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

jbander on Mon April 21, 2014 12:53 AM

Year: 2003
Make: PT Cruiser
Model: ex
Refrigerant Type: R-134a i asume
Ambient Temp: 65
Pressure Low: under10
Pressure High: 45
Country of Origin: United States

It has just warmed up enough here in Minnesota (65 deg) to try out the air conditioning, so I gave it a try , if it works at all it is very little , I Ran it for 20 minutes, stopped, opened the hood and looked to check the air conditioner, Well first off it cycles on and off mostly off ( I guess the clutch engaging on and off). the hose is cold but it seems to only be running for less then half the time. I put a gauge on it and it cycles up and down from under 10 lbs to 45lbs , up and down as it cycles on and off.
I'm guessing that it might not be undercharged because when it engages it goes to 45 lbs but I really don't know . Any ideas will be much appreciated. Problems with my air conditioner in my 2003 PT Cruiser

Jag987 on Mon April 21, 2014 2:08 AM

Do you just have a single gauge on the low side that is reading from 10 to 45 pounds OR do you have a gauge on the low side reading 10 pounds and another gauge on the hi reading 45? I am guessing it is just one on the low side. Either way, 10 is too low so if, IF, everything is working right, you are low on refrigerant. Time to find the leak and get it fixed.

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I bought a can of 134a at w**-mart that had a stop leak, oil, and dye in it. It also had a hose and a gauge, so now I'm an AC pro!

jbander on Mon April 21, 2014 12:37 PM

The pressure numbers are Just on the side that you put the Freon in.

jbander on Tue April 22, 2014 5:09 PM

I charged it with a half can of refrigerant, It is still going on and off and it's going from 25 LB to 45 lb on the guage on the can(EZ chill), it goes up and down as it goes on and off. It is not getting very cold, any thoughts? Shoul I put more refrigerant in. The tempiture outside is 62 deg

TRB on Tue April 22, 2014 5:30 PM

Really hard to give any advice when you are using the death kits. Both low & high side pressure readings are required for any diagnostic opinions.

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mk378 on Tue April 22, 2014 5:33 PM

No. It is easy to overcharge because you can't tell the high side pressure. Cherging by pressure really isn't the best way in any case, but those cans with a single gauge are absolutely useless.