Hi - looking for some guidance. 2006 R53 with AC issues the last few weeks. Replaced the compressor about 3 years ago. Compressor engages but the air never gets cold. AC light stays solid. Have between 30-40 psi on low side while compressor is engaged and outside temp at 78 degrees. But the air never gets cold at all, even if I turn the AC off and have outside air only on when the air is cool. Any ideas? Thanks for your help!

Kelli

 

Does it blow cold when you are driving at speed, say over 40mph?

If your low speed cooling fan resistor is blown, then you will get really bad A/C performance when standing still or at lower speeds.

Also, need high side measurements to properly evaluate...

 

Finally got the gauges to test-- with compressor running low side 40 high side about 45. So, obviously something wrong there. Any ideas? Thanks so much for your time!

Kelli

 

Low refrigerant. Your high side should be in the range of 200 - 350 psi, depending on ambient temperature. See this chart to see what pressures you should be seeing at a given ambient temperature: http://rechargeac.com/how-to/ac-system-pressure-chart

The good thing is that since you have a proper manifold (I assume), you can now load R134a into your system by yourself. I find that Advance Auto has good prices on their cans - usually like $8 per 12oz. Our R53s only take 14oz of refrigerant, IIRC.

If you've never loaded refrigerant before, it's not that hard. Plenty of internet articles and youtube videos around to show you how. Just remember to always load into the low side!

If you have a leak, that is a different problem, however. But you won't know until you load some new refrigerant in there and see if it holds pressure.

 

Awesome; I will give that a try. Thank you again!

Kelli