5083E Air Conditioner Stopped Working

[n3gxq]

If you check the power to the compressor clutch & find 12 volts, the clutch is defective & will need repaired/replaced. My Gisele is, however, that there is no power. Could be a bad switch, relay, connection, etc, OR, low on refrigerant. Most systems have a low pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor in case of refrigerant loss. You will need a refrigeration gauge set & the proper hose fittings to determine this. Perhaps you can find a local HVAC guy that will be willing to help out. I did them for years! If the refrigerant charge is indeed low, refilling it will get it up & running, but you will need to find the leak & repair it ( it disappears only by leaking out). This can be found with electronic detectors, or even soap bubbles. Repair will depend on the cause. Sometimes, the shaft seal on the compressor will leak from long periods of inactivity, and will often re-seal upon usage. (The seal is actually accomplished by a very thin film of oil on the seal surfaces, which can drain off during idle periods). If the system is empty, and has been for a while, after repairing the leak, be sure to replace the filter/drier canister in the system, and evacuate it to at least 500 microns. Good luck!

 

[jenkinsph]

Good post by n3gxq above but even so since it is in warranty I would take to the dealer. As far as I can see as long as the evaporator is clean behind the cabin filter you have covered enough as the customer.

If it were me I would leave home at first light, go through town if that is the shortest route and arrive at the dealer early. Less traffic and about as cool as it will get for you to drive to the dealer. When I do this sort of thing arriving early I try to pick up donuts for the guys if I can, it does show some appreciation and helps you too.

 

[gocards1177]

If you check the power to the compressor clutch & find 12 volts, the clutch is defective & will need repaired/replaced. My Gisele is, however, that there is no power. Could be a bad switch, relay, connection, etc, OR, low on refrigerant. Most systems have a low pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor in case of refrigerant loss. You will need a refrigeration gauge set & the proper hose fittings to determine this. Perhaps you can find a local HVAC guy that will be willing to help out. I did them for years! If the refrigerant charge is indeed low, refilling it will get it up & running, but you will need to find the leak & repair it ( it disappears only by leaking out). This can be found with electronic detectors, or even soap bubbles. Repair will depend on the cause. Sometimes, the shaft seal on the compressor will leak from long periods of inactivity, and will often re-seal upon usage. (The seal is actually accomplished by a very thin film of oil on the seal surfaces, which can drain off during idle periods). If the system is empty, and has been for a while, after repairing the leak, be sure to replace the filter/drier canister in the system, and evacuate it to at least 500 microns. Good luck!

Thanks for the post! I tend to be pretty snobbish when it comes to purchasing tools, but for single or rare use tools such as we're discussing I tend to go to Harbor Freight or Amazon. Would something like the following fit the bill:
Amazon.com: Pit Bull CHIMG777 Pit Bull CHIMG777 R12 A/C Air Conditioning Ac Refrigerant Manifold-Gauge Set: Home Improvement

Also, I just spoke with my local service manager and he confirmed I'm under warranty until April 2015, so it is 2 years. They're going to take a look at it next week.

 

[gocards1177]

Or this:
Amazon.com: CZFCGA 500 PSI A/C Manifold Gauge Set by CAL HAWK: Automotive

 

[Tx Jim]

The gauge manifold set in this post is a lot cheaper than the one I bought from a local auto parts store but appear to be as good or better than the one I have. Buy them study up on checking AC coolant pressures and YOU'LL BE $$$$$$$$ AHEAD. PS: the 1st set of gauges you listed didn't have the valves to connect to the AC system because they were for R12 instead of for R134A.

Amazon.com: CZFCGA 500 PSI A/C Manifold Gauge Set by CAL HAWK: Automotive

 

[gocards1177]

Just dropped my tractor off at the dealer, I'll post what they find out.

 

[gocards1177]

Just got a call from the dealer. Refrigerant empty. Cracked o-ring.

 

[Tx Jim]

Glad the dealer determined the non cooling problem. As you know AC's don't cool worth a HOOT when they're low(out of) refrigerant.

 

[gocards1177]

Glad the dealer determined the non cooling problem. As you know AC's don't cool worth a HOOT when they're low(out of) refrigerant.

yeah. I'm glad it happened under warranty. Need to learn to work on AC.

 

[bushhog28]

Do you know the cost to fix if it wasn't under warranty?