NX6010 A/C won't stay on

[RockyNY]

I was doing some pre-snowstorm work last night and turned the A/C on to defog the windows, and it wasn't working properly. The light would come on and I could hear the compressor engage, but only for about 5 or 10 seconds then it would go off again, after about 30 seconds it would come back on, then off in cycles. And it did not seem to be doing anything. The AC worked OK in the summer, but I haven't used it in a few months. What might be wrong? Low on charge? Does anyone know where the charge port is located on these tractors?

 

[NC419N]

Mine did that this summer only to figure out that the condenser coil was stopped up with dust leaves etc. Maybe try blowing that area out and see if it makes a difference. I was surprised to see how tight all that area was packed together.

 

[VictorW]

It could be low on charge and the low side pressure switch detects the to low pressure on the low side and turns the pump off so there is no damage to the system. This is the most common reason for fast cycling of the pump. The charge port, low side, should be on a line going from the compressor to the evaporator inside the tractor cab after the expansion valve. If you lost freon, you probably have a leak somewhere. If you can borrow a set of gauges, low and high side, it will tell you more what is going on. If your high side pressure goes to high, the expansion valve can be plugged or you have moisture in the system and the valve is freezing up acting like a clog. That's why a set of gauges will help.

Forgot about tractors being in the field and check for debris as mentioned.

 

[RockyNY]

It could be low on charge and the low side pressure switch detects the to low pressure on the low side and turns the pump off so there is no damage to the system. This is the most common reason for fast cycling of the pump. The charge port, low side, should be on a line going from the compressor to the evaporator inside the tractor cab after the expansion valve. If you lost freon, you probably have a leak somewhere. If you can borrow a set of gauges, low and high side, it will tell you more what is going on. If your high side pressure goes to high, the expansion valve can be plugged or you have moisture in the system and the valve is freezing up acting like a clog. That's why a set of gauges will help.

Forgot about tractors being in the field and check for debris as mentioned.

I have one of those DIY A/C charging kits that has a gauge on it, I put it on the low pressure line and it shows in the lower end of the "green". I know these gauges aren't too accurate but it should be in the general range. However, the A/C is working this morning, I wonder if it isn't moisture freezing because it had been outside all day yesterday and temps were right around the freezing mark and a mix of rain/snow coming down most of the day. I had it in the dry barn overnight (not heated, but a couple cows in it) and temps warmed up a couple degrees overnight. I don't know how I would eliminate moisture in the system though. Oh the condenser coil is clean, I clean it a couple times a year.

 

[VictorW]

A damp rainy day won't put moisture into the system. Usually a bad seal or when it was originally charged. Moisture is mixed in with the freon/lubricating oil mixture. The only way to eliminate this moisture is to remove the freon and then put the system under a vacuum. The vacuum actually gets the moisture to vaporize and then it's pulled out by the vacuum pump. A set of gauges isn't to expensive to see low and high side but those do it yourself vacuum pumps aren't worth the money. Any garage that services auto a/c can do the tractor. I'd try to find/borrow a set of gauges so you can better tell what is going on then decide from there.

 

[RockyNY]

Well I plowed snow for an hour tonight and it's definitely not working. I'm just going to have the local garage check out the AC system, will post back with the results once I know. I'll definitely be plowing again in the morning, 8" so far and coming down fast.

 

[VictorW]

The garage should be able to tell you what's wrong and evacuate, vacuum, and refill if that's all that is needed. If it needs parts and you can get them, they should be able to do it. All AC systems operate the same way.

Snow here but around 4". Probably will be plowing tomorrow as it's still coming. I'm sure the cab makes it nice.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Don't you still have a few months left on the bumper to bumper warranty, if so the dealer should take care of you.

 

[RockyNY]

The garage should be able to tell you what's wrong and evacuate, vacuum, and refill if that's all that is needed. If it needs parts and you can get them, they should be able to do it. All AC systems operate the same way.

Snow here but around 4". Probably will be plowing tomorrow as it's still coming. I'm sure the cab makes it nice.

Cab is great. Did the open cab thing for a couple years, and it's no fun. I'm up here in central Chautauqua county. We're just a couple inches shy of 3 feet from this storm, and more on the way.

Don't you still have a few months left on the bumper to bumper warranty, if so the dealer should take care of you.

Actually I probably do have some warranty left, hadn't thought about it. I don't have a way to transport the tractor though, and after paying the pickup/delivery fee it would just be easier to drive it to the garage a couple miles down the road.

 

[George2615]

Is it possible the temperature in the cab was too cold for the A/C to run. The temperature may have been below the thermostats coldest setting. I turn my A/C off in winter and I run heat.