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Nearly caught my D on fire today.

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#22 ·
Instigator Indy

Dart You said your ac wasn't working as well this past week My guess is you lost a bit of charge and the compressor siezed from lack of refrigerant.
I'm glad you were able to break it free with a hammer temporarily.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#23 ·
FSTDANGO3 said:
Instigator Indy

My guess is you lost a bit of charge and the compressor siezed from lack of refrigerant.
Steve
DOC Pres
Click to expand...
I'd think the 'low pressure' switch would keep the compressor from engaging when a low freon level (pressure) is detected.

Sounds like the compressor was going south for other mechanical reasons, attempting to lock up and the clutch was slipping and overheated, or the belt was slipping around the pulley.

If you didn't have the AC on at the time, maybe the front bearing on the compressor locked, causing the belt to slip around the pulley.

James
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
The pressure has been a steady 35 ever since I bought it, I checked the pressure several times. It never really worked right, so I'm guesing the bearing just slowly gave out. I have probably had the A/C on the entire time I have had the D, and it was on full blast when it went out.

Also, I'll probably have to have that arm cut off to fix the problem. Of all the things that could have went out on the belt, this is probably the most expencive.
 
#25 ·
Think Positive
It could have happened a bit further from home. And even more positive you'll be able to fix it yourself

JAmes you're correct that if the charge was completely empty it wouldn't engage, but if the charge was partially low it could cycle frequently but run none the less. And running it with a low charge is equally as bad as no charge.

Steve
DOC Pres
 
#26 ·
If the compressor seized, then turning off the A/C should still release the clutch and allow the pulley to spin. You could drive for months like that as long as you don't turn on the A/C or Defroster. If you unplug the clutch lead you could still use the defroster.

When you say that the A/C pressure is at a constant 35, is that with the compressor running? What's the outside temperature? On a 2000, the suction side shouldn't be that high unless the temp is near 90. So that would rule out low charge.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Just turning off the A/C wasn't good enough I had to beat it nearly off the D with a hammer to get it moving, and it still moves hard enough to make a nasty sound when the D is running. My pressure gauge shows 35 to be right in the middle of the "Green" area, and that's with it on High Max A/C, and it's about 89 outside right now, it's been that hot for nearly two weeks now.
 
#30 ·
I know the gauge that you're referring to, however, the markings don't match what the FSM specifies. If you charged to 45 on the gauge you run the risk of overcharging the system. I know because I did and locked my compressor. 35 is correct for 89 degrees. From your symptoms it sounds like the compressor clutch seized along with the compressor. Whacking it freed the clutch, but the bearing is shot. The seizing of the clutch might keep the compressor from cycling which could also stress the compressor.
 
#31 ·
FSTDANGO3 said:
JAmes you're correct that if the charge was completely empty it wouldn't engage, but if the charge was partially low it could cycle frequently but run none the less. And running it with a low charge is equally as bad as no charge.
Steve
DOC Pres
Click to expand...
Well I'm not getting into a pissing contest here, but if that's the way Dodge has designed their system, then they're asking for trouble, and in the end, the consumer will pay.

The fleet I maintain at work are mostly GM, some Ford, only 2 Dodge Rams and they're fairly new. With GM and Ford, the low pressure switch will keep the system from working (engaging) well before it's ever close to being empty. I just don't see a compressor going bad due to a low charge issue -- a low refrigerant oil charge is something else.

James
 
#32 ·
ANy Compressor being run low on charge will suffer in the end.
No question James it should be desined to protect well in advance.
I have seen systems on cars a pound low when the system only holds 2 lbs and they're not shut off but running on a day when ambient temps are up.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#33 ·
Low charge means leak. Leak means low oil. Compressor looses.
 
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#34 ·
MWeed said:
Low charge means leak. Leak means low oil. Compressor looses.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mike for simplifying it for me I was trying to say that all along.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
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