2006 Torrent with intermittent A/C problem

[robertg927]

My latest problem (in the long and distinguished list of problems) is that my A/C is only working intermittently. I think it is related to the cooling fans. When I turn on the A/C, the cooling fans do not start. I connected the fans directly to the battery and both work fine. The A/C does occasionally come on and it seems to be when I'm sitting in traffic or climbing a long, steep hill and I think the cooling fan turns on because the car is getting hot (but not overheating). The A/C will run for a few minutes and then turn off again.

Are both cooling fans supposed to turn on (at least at low speed) when the A/C is turned on? I hooked up my gauges yesterday and the static pressure on both sides was about 90 pounds at around 78-80 degrees, which should be plenty to cycle the compressor, but the compressor wouldn't kick on so I don't know what the real pressures are when it's running.

Where should I go from here?

 

[melsg5]

See if this link helps, the pressure reading from a system where the compressor isnt running doesn't help.

Car air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging

If you have a situation where your car’s air conditioner compressor clutch doesn’t engage, try the troubleshooting techniques described here. Car makers use an electro-magnetic clutch to engage and disengage the air conditioning compressor.

www.linkedin.com

 

[robertg927]

I agree that the pressure readings from the static system are not MUCH help, but in this case they show that the system does have enough of a charge that the compressor should run - and it does indeed run Thanks for the link. I'll try eautorepair.net and see if there any more helpful than alldatadiy.

 

[melsg5]

What is the reading when the compressor is running?

______________________________

 

[robertg927]

It took a while to "catch it" in the act of running. I had to let it idle outside the garage for about 20 minutes before it finally kicked on. When it's running, the pressures are around 40/120 for low/high.

 

[melsg5]

Rule of thumb for high pressure is double air temp plus 50. So unless you did this on 35 degree day you may need more gas.

 

[robertg927]

I'll add some and see what happens.