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Is this normal when re-gassing A/C?

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Old May 10, 2014 | 09:46 AM
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C240 4MATIC
Question Is this normal when re-gassing A/C?

I tried to re-gas my A/C yesterday. When I hooked up the gauge, it read 0 psi. When I started the car with the air on cool, still 0 psi. I sprayed the can for no more than 3 seconds, it shot to 45 psi. Is this a sign that my AC compressor is not on? My car's A/C on light has been red since I bought it. I've read that if it's off, I should add half a can of freon. Should I continue adding more freon?
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Old May 10, 2014 | 09:57 AM
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You are saying "A/C on light has been red since I bought it", do you mean the button "AUTO" with this? Red light means a/c is on and working.

If your EC button is red and wont go off, then you are running low on gases or have some other problems with a/c.

Is your a/c is working properly or not?
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Old May 10, 2014 | 11:39 AM
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No, I do not have the "E/C" button. I have the "A/C" button instead in this model. & no, it does not go off. I've read if you run out of freon, this light also comes on. But it can also come on when there's other problems as well. No, my A/C is not working. It hasn't worked since I bought it.

Last edited by blzdout; May 10, 2014 at 11:43 AM.
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Old May 10, 2014 | 11:33 PM
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Sorry, you cannot properly charge your system with parts store cans. You need to vacuum down the system to get all the air and moisture out, and you need it charged with a precise amount of refrigerant. You then need to clear the faults in climate control.
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Old May 11, 2014 | 12:12 AM
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Yeah I kinda figured. Going to have to take it to the stealership in a couple weeks they want $120 just to diagnose the problem. I was going to just take it to a regular a/c shop but Idk. Could a regular AC shop diagnose this kind of problem or should I just take it to the stealership?
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Old May 11, 2014 | 06:29 PM
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It's possible to jump the compressor from the battery (bypassing the low pressure protection).
You can rent the vacuum pump and the AC manifold gauges from Autozone.
Just need to figure out how much refrigerant it takes and go from there.
After that you will probably still need to clear the codes in the climate unit(?)
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Old May 11, 2014 | 10:13 PM
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Go to an independent mechanic or any shop for that matter that has good A/C equipment. Do you see your A/C compressor pulley in the center spinning when you press the button? Also, if your system needs re-gassing then that means you have a leak and that needs tending to first since these systems run constantly when the system is on vs. clicking on and off.
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Old May 11, 2014 | 11:26 PM
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These compressors are swash plate type, so there is no clutch. The pulley is always spinning.
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Old May 12, 2014 | 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by VVF
These compressors are swash plate type, so there is no clutch. The pulley is always spinning.
? Yeah the pulley is always spinning, until the clutch in the pulley engages to turn the compressor.
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Old May 13, 2014 | 12:07 AM
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! Yeah there's no clutch. Care to prove the contrary? You might learn something new in the process
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by VVF
These compressors are swash plate type, so there is no clutch. The pulley is always spinning.
VVF,

Is there a way to tell if the compressor is working or not if the pulley is always turning? My system is fully charged (about 40 psi) but it's not sending cold air, it's just cool air.

Also, can you add oil to the compressor (PAG46?) directly, because I think it's leaking oil but not refrigrant?

Any help is appreciated..
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 09:43 PM
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Yep I learned something new. When I was buying my car last year I looked at the AC compressor pulley and when I saw it spinning I thought it was working as it should but that's not an indicator that it works. It blew cold though and the low pressure line was cold and wet. It would suck if this type of compressor broke because it's more expensive though it engages so smoothly it's impossible to tell. My previous car would jerk every time the clutch kicked in.
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Holmes5518
? Yeah the pulley is always spinning, until the clutch in the pulley engages to turn the compressor.
There is no clutch in the pulley. The pulley runs all the time with the swash plate vertical. The minute you angle the swash plate it starts stroking the pistons. Operates the same way as a hydraulic piston pump.

Have the system checked for leaks & regassed by a Pro.

Older cars had the A/C switch light on when the system was off. Newer cars have the more intuitive light on when the system is on.

If low gas pressure is detected by the pressure/temp sensor in the front Condenser the A/C will not run to protect the compressor.
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 10:54 PM
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Glynn,
Could the compressor lose it's oil (by slow leak) independent of the "freon"? and thus cause to not engage?
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Old Aug 11, 2014 | 06:51 AM
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No ~ some oil could be lost with the refrigerant but you should see it.

The compressor won't run without correct refrigerant pressure. You have to pressurise the system before you can check anything.
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Old Aug 11, 2014 | 11:15 PM
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C240,
You can check if the compressor is engaging if you connect a manifold gauge set to the lines - should see the pressure rise and fall when the AC is on. You can google the approximate high side/low side pressures.
This way you'll also see if the static pressure (AC off) is too low and the car does not let the compressor turn on.
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 04:28 PM
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VVF,
excellent timing. I just purchased the HFT manifold guage set. I was going to ask what the high pressure should be. I will google around.

This morning I checked the temp coming out of the vent and it between 53-60F. Outside is 75. There should be more of a difference I think.

Thanks for the reply.
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 04:57 PM
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Do you know who had recharged the system? AFAIK the low pressure could be 40psi but there might be not enough refrigerant so as to achieve full effectiveness.

Anyway, the low/high side pressure readings and the frequency of the compressor on/off cycling will indicate that when you test.
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