jd_mcse

Hi Everyone,

First time posting here but a long time reader. I was hopping to get some help on troubleshooting my AC issue. I have a 2001 e430 with 150k miles. A/C reading is as follows:

1. 91
2. 93
3. 98
4. 98
5. 96
6. 191
7. 10-14 (Depends on temp humidity and driving)
8. 107

There are no error codes on the display. I did have the b1416 before but I fixed that issue and reset the codes. I also had the system vacuumed and recharged recently. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Plutoe

Well you sure have lots going on------Number 5 is way to high should be in the 40's. If there is no evap temp sensor fault then the expansion valve is bad, however 7 should be 17 and that leads one to believe that the compressor can't make pressure or your leak has returned.

I would retest and post the data---is there any consistency??

jd_mcse

I replaced the Evap Temp Sensor last week with no significant change. the b1416 error returned when I just checked it. The following read I get on the sensors are as follows:
1. 84
2. 89
3. 87
4. 87
5. 85
6. 206
7. 15 (Depends on temp humidity and driving)
8. 120

Let me know if this lines up with your earlier thoughts of either expansion valve and/or compressor.

Thanks for the help!

Plutoe

With the second set of data, we can see that the compressor can make the pressure(7=15) however the relationship between temp and pressure, on earth is a fixed relationship and in both of your tests the relationship is not correct, as example the first data set 7=10 and with 10 8 should be 112, but it is 107-----in data set two 7=15 and therefore 8 should be 137, but it is 120. Plus in data set 2 5 is still way to high.

The simplest way to confirm a faulty expansion valve is to put gages on and if the needle fluctuates wildly---it's the valve!!

nelbur

You said you,"had the system vacuumed and recharged recently". Did the system work right after that work was done, and if so how long did it work?

jd_mcse

@Nelbur - After the recharge it still did not work. It was left at 2.2 lbs where it was slightly over at 2.6 lbs before.

@Plutoe - During the vacuum & recharge the gauges would fluctuate. The tech said it was acting as if the compressor was bad.

On my way home from work the EC light came on and #7 dropped to a steady 7.

Plutoe

As you know with the EC light on the compressor will not engage. To turn off the EC light you need to do the fault test,write down the fault, erase the fault and post the fault!!

jd_mcse

@Plutoe - B1241 and b1416 are the faults. #7 is down to 5 now so the EC light comes on instantly. I'm not sure where this leak would suddenly come from but I will need to track this down before moving forward I suspect. Any other suggestions before I head down this path?

Thanks again!

Plutoe

1241 is refrig level low;1416 which you said you fixed is coolant recirculation pump failure, I guess you just cleared the fault but did not fix the problem.

You have to clear the faults before the compressor will engage enabling you to fill, you are starting to confuse me. Previously you indicated that you vacuum tested the system-----what's the story now.

Go back to the guy you said tested the car!!