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AC HIGH/LOW preasures

70K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  2004CSOTP  
#1 ·
Hey All,
A few weeks back I charged my AC system back up with R134A. I followed the instructions however the results were less than lacking. Fast forward 2 weeks later I got a good manifold gauge set. Heres my results:

Car Off
Low Side = 64 PSI
High side = PSI

Car On AC On
Compressor Engages
Low = 15 PSI
High = 85 PSI

Compressor Turns Off
Low = 40 PSI
High = 110 PSI

Once pressure on Low side reaches 15 PSI compressor turns on again at aprox 3 seconds on 8 seconds off duty cycle

I understand that at ambient 75 degrees The low side should read 35-45 PSI and High should read 150-170. Is this reading when the compressor cycles on. My gut tells me to add more, however i thought it would be in my best interest to see if there's any experts on the forums first:highfive:.
 
#2 ·
It does sound like you are low on refrigerant if the compressor is cycling that fast.
Your description seems to be off a little. Compressor should come on at 40 ps1 (aprox) and cycle off at aprox 28-30. The formula I use for high side is ambient temp x2= lower high side psi and plus 50 for the highest psi. (Ex 80*x2= 160 minimum, 210 maximum) YMMV.
High humidity will raise those numbers,as will weak air flow across the condenser.

Curly
 
#3 ·
You could bypass the low pressure switch to get the pump to stay on untill you get the pressure up, what happens is with the compressor on in pulls the pressure down and the switch kills the compresor, I use a saftey pin with the head cut off, cross it out.....or just keep adding 134 till the comp stays on 2 8 oz cans should be enough......never mind the off pressure unless it's high
(over 50psi) remember to check your filter or offrius tube shoulda put a new one before you charged it (only 3 or 4 bucks)

curly is right, but sometimes if a system is completly down it takes awhile for
the refridgerant to get where it needs to be, plus with your comp cycling on and off it's finkle especialy in hot weather.your gauge might not be what the sensor is seeing......that's why i cross mine out. Just trying to help.....
 
#8 ·
Here's the whole page from the TJ Factory Service Manual. Step #6 says just that. If you want the trouble shooting charts, they following on the next three pages in the FSM. I could post them too if you want them. But, it looks like you just don't have enough refrigerant so far, based on your numbers.

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