A/C blows cold but then stops - Electrical problem?

distantdog · 08-16-2009, 05:22 PM

So my A/C cut out the other day... It just stopped blowing cold air. Fan still works fine.

Then I get back in and start it up and it blows cold just fine for a really long time, but then randomly stops being cold.

Is this an electrical issue with something or do I need a recharge of refrigerant?

I thought since it seems to work fine most of the time it wouldn't be a recharge issue...

**TheBoogieman** · 08-16-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by distantdog

So my A/C cut out the other day... It just stopped blowing cold air. Fan still works fine.

Then I get back in and start it up and it blows cold just fine for a really long time, but then randomly stops being cold.

Is this an electrical issue with something or do I need a recharge of refrigerant?

I thought since it seems to work fine most of the time it wouldn't be a recharge issue...

It stopped blowing cold or it stopped blowing all together?If it stopped blowing cold,it might need a recharge.If it stopped blowing while driving,it's a vacuum leak.You can buy a refill kit and gauge at Advance auto or Autozone for $25-30 and check it before you refill or add to it.45 psi max to fill it.

distantdog · 08-16-2009, 08:22 PM

It seems really inconsistent. It blows cold but then randomly it will stop being cold. Keeps blowing just fine, but the air is not cold.

I went out today and it worked fine the whole time, except one time it went warm just for a second, then came back cold until I got home.

Any ideas?

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-16-2009, 08:25 PM

It sounds like it is low on R134a refrigerant so a recharge would likely fix it. However, being low on refrigerant means also there's a leak somewhere, they don't normally just run low. My '97 TJ's a/c compressor has never leaked any out, it's never needed to be recharged and it gets used quite a bit.

**Stu Olson** · 08-16-2009, 09:22 PM

A/C tune-up might be the place to start!

distantdog · 08-17-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Olson

A/C tune-up might be the place to start!

Appreciated Stu, I always check your site before anything else. However I don't have the equipment used in the write-up.

I suppose I will give one of the quick recharge kits a shot. Maybe I will get lucky and be able to spot the leak myself.