Kioti DK45 AC not getting cold

[wxtrendsguy]

2014 DK45 the AC is not getting cold. There is power to the unit. The AC belt is intact and ocassional squeals which is a traditional problem on this machine since day 1...(there is a tension pully which is a piece of dung) not aligned well and cannot be adjusted and teh bearing dies on it almost yearly. Big time flaw but not the issue today. Looking for steps to troubleshoot. What refrigerant does it use and can it be recharged?

 

[Zork]

2014 DK45 the AC is not getting cold. There is power to the unit. The AC belt is intact and ocassional squeals which is a traditional problem on this machine since day 1...(there is a tension pully which is a piece of dung) not aligned well and cannot be adjusted and teh bearing dies on it almost yearly. Big time flaw but not the issue today. Looking for steps to troubleshoot. What refrigerant does it use and can it be recharged?

If the belt squeals it probably has some charge.
The refrigerant should be identified with a tag near your service ports or on/near the compressor/ condenser.
Is the condenser clean?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

2014 DK45 the AC is not getting cold. There is power to the unit. The AC belt is intact and ocassional squeals which is a traditional problem on this machine since day 1...(there is a tension pully which is a piece of dung) not aligned well and cannot be adjusted and teh bearing dies on it almost yearly. Big time flaw but not the issue today. Looking for steps to troubleshoot. What refrigerant does it use and can it be recharged?

Blow out the condenser located in front of the radiator, and behind the oil cooler. If still not blowing cold, with AC on max settings confirm the AC clutch is spinning the AC compressor (AC off and the pulley spins; AC on, and the AC compressor clutch that uses an electromagnetic coil will also spin with the pulley telling you that the high and low pressure switches think the AC pressure is not out of range, ie, too low or too high).

If the AC clutch is spinning, then check and clean the two cabin filters on either side of the cab top that are located between the B and C pillars on the underside of the cap top and held in by two, plastic thumb screws. Remove the filters and blow them out with compressed air.

If the cab filters are not restricted, then either a mouse has made a home under the cab top, the blend air door has slipped on the cable (mouse home and the cable slipping on the blend air door that is connected to your warm and cold environmental control have both happened to me on my NX series), or the 134a refrigerant is low (less likely, but can). This is to say that at this point, if you still don't have cold air, you're removing the cab top. Your cab top comes off like my NX series so here is a video on the subject (and don't forget to remove the little knob on the end of the inside air flapper door at the top, rear of the headliner):

 

[RayIN]

Everything you need to know about 12V automotive-type air conditioning.

https://btrac.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Service-Manual-Revision-1-2011.pdf

It does not address specifics like MinnesotaEric discussed though.

 

[wxtrendsguy]

Blow out the condenser located in front of the radiator, and behind the oil cooler. If still not blowing cold, with AC on max settings confirm the AC clutch is spinning the AC compressor (AC off and the pulley spins; AC on, and the AC compressor clutch that uses an electromagnetic coil will also spin with the pulley telling you that the high and low pressure switches think the AC pressure is not out of range, ie, too low or too high).

If the AC clutch is spinning, then check and clean the two cabin filters on either side of the cab top that are located between the B and C pillars on the underside of the cap top and held in by two, plastic thumb screws. Remove the filters and blow them out with compressed air.

If the cab filters are not restricted, then either a mouse has made a home under the cab top, the blend air door has slipped on the cable (mouse home and the cable slipping on the blend air door that is connected to your warm and cold environmental control have both happened to me on my NX series), or the 134a refrigerant is low (less likely, but can). This is to say that at this point, if you still don't have cold air, you're removing the cab top. Your cab top comes off like my NX series so here is a video on the subject (and don't forget to remove the little knob on the end of the inside air flapper door at the top, rear of the headliner):

Have not needed the AC since Apr 20 when a freeze completely destroyed my vineyard, the damage is extensive with 1000s of 15 yrs old vines just flat out killed. I hear there peaches, apples, pears, and most grapes from MI to NY to Virginia are gone. So after that happy note I have not been in a rush to fix the AC. However, since I may now be spending most of the summer yanking out vines I probably ought to address the AC. Going to checking the clutch tonight, checked refrigerant and its fine.

 

[grsthegreat]

Is the compressor actually engaging. On my dk45 i had a wire going to the pressure sensor short out. Easy fix. But that being said, mines a 2010 model and have had no issues on mine. I wonder why yours has so much issues . Mine freezes me out of cab. No bearing issues, no belt issues

 

[wxtrendsguy]

Is the compressor actually engaging. On my dk45 i had a wire going to the pressure sensor short out. Easy fix. But that being said, mines a 2010 model and have had no issues on mine. I wonder why yours has so much issues . Mine freezes me out of cab. No bearing issues, no belt issues

I am not sure if its engaging, thus plan is to check the clutch tonight and see if it engages, I have never tried it but I am told I should be able to see it. Then if its not engaging then I can visually look for a bad wire but at least I can steer the dealer toward the problem. Can't afford to have it sit at thier shop for a month this time of year.

 

[wxtrendsguy]

Blow out the condenser located in front of the radiator, and behind the oil cooler. If still not blowing cold, with AC on max settings confirm the AC clutch is spinning the AC compressor (AC off and the pulley spins; AC on, and the AC compressor clutch that uses an electromagnetic coil will also spin with the pulley telling you that the high and low pressure switches think the AC pressure is not out of range, ie, too low or too high).

If the AC clutch is spinning, then check and clean the two cabin filters on either side of the cab top that are located between the B and C pillars on the underside of the cap top and held in by two, plastic thumb screws. Remove the filters and blow them out with compressed air.

If the cab filters are not restricted, then either a mouse has made a home under the cab top, the blend air door has slipped on the cable (mouse home and the cable slipping on the blend air door that is connected to your warm and cold environmental control have both happened to me on my NX series), or the 134a refrigerant is low (less likely, but can). This is to say that at this point, if you still don't have cold air, you're removing the cab top. Your cab top comes off like my NX series so here is a video on the subject (and don't forget to remove the little knob on the end of the inside air flapper door at the top, rear of the headliner):

Ok checked the clutch and it is not engaging (not spinning when AC is cranked) did not see any obvious wire damage. Now what do I do?

 

[grsthegreat]

Theres a pressure switch that will kick off the clutch if pressures get too low.

On my unit, pressure was ok, so i traced wiring. I found this micro sized wire that led from wiring harness under shroud on lest side of seat that traveled to the pressure switch in engine compartment. Was open circuit. I ran new wire..all fixed. I swear it was a 30 gauge, hair thick wire. All other wires were nice and thick. Someone cheeped out.