[turk]

Hey all,

So my girlfriend prefers not to ride in my Jeep because I choose not to use a/c. (I only drive almost 30 miles each way to and from work with gas prices averaging around $2.20/gallon... wonder why I don't use a/c? Though I am in Florida now and not in the northeast, I don't mind the temps.) Anyway, I decided I was gonna be nice one day and turn on the a/c. Though ultimately did not really cool. I decided to go and buy some r-134a with the pressure guage. I never added the 134 because I measured the pressure and got a wierd reading. It started at around 20 psi then the I heard a click (clutch engaging I would guess) and the pressure raised to about 35 maybe a bit higher, then another click (clutch disengaging?) and the pressure fell. It would "cycle" every 20-30 seconds doing the same thing. The only other thing I noticed was the low pressure a/c line was rather cold and had a decent amount of condensate on it. Does this sound like an electrical or relay prob, compressor prob or low refrigerant?

Thanks,
Turk

[RockPaws]

The click (compressor clutch engaging) and fluxuation of the pressure is normal. This helps maintain a pressure level in the system during use and im sure better fuel economy.
In order to fill the system with the set up you have, you will need to watch when the a/c compressor is running. Most likely when the pressure increases on your gauge. Most systems I fill I look for a pressure between 35 to 45 (depending on outside air temp). Nomally I like to run towards the higher side of the range.

As far as your girlfriend goes... I have found for the amount of time they spend in the vehicle with you. Its well worth keeping them happy vs a little extra money saved

[Magtanium]

Definitely sounds like you need refrigerant. When you checked the pressures and got 20 psi the compressor was running, when you heard the "click" was the compressor dis-engaging. That's why the pressure started rising. The compressor port you were checking is on the low side of the system so when you heard the second "click" the compressor was coming back on you were reading the 20 psi again. Your compressor is cycling on the low pressure switch because there isn't enough refrigerant in the system. Charge it with the compressor running until you get a 35-40 psi reading and the unit is blowing steady cold air out of the vents.

[jjmrks]

you need a recharge