Hit a bump in the road recharging A/C
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 806
Likes: 27
From: Rochester, NY
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Hit a bump in the road recharging A/C
Hi, my drivers side was blowing warm air and my passenger side was blowing cold air which everyone points to low refrigerant so i was going to recharge mine. Talked to the dealer and they said the accumulator is the most common problem. If it was really grimy at the joint then that was most likely the problem. I bought an A/C manifold gauge set along with a vaccuum pump from harborfreight tools and evacuated the system. It held a vacuum for a half hour so it is a minor leak so i was going to go ahead and recharge it. It sucked in a can and a half but from there on it wouldn't suck in anything else and inside the "A/C" off button was illuminated, so there isnt enough refrigerant to engage the clutch. So i am stuck and need to find out how to engage the clutch if possible without using the STAR system. Any advice would be helpful
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 806
Likes: 27
From: Rochester, NY
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Did alittle more research and the compressor is clutchless? That is more confusing. Is it still running while the ac off button is illuminated? Any technicians out there?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: florida
e500 4matic; c240
why not fix the leak? you are going to blow the compressor if you don't. When you sucked everything out and let it sit and suck air, all you did was get moisture inside the system (water in there is no good). You should probably replace the filter now (dryer).... good luck..
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 25
Even in compressor off mode, the swash still sweeps about 2% by volume at all times. This is still comparatively more efficient than using a clutch.
I believe SDS has the capability to selectively control the compressor when charging the system, but I don't remember which menus you have to enter
