When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This would've been my first use of AC this season and discovered that it wouldn't blow any cold air.
My 'Launch Creader Elite' tool shows this:
Without overthinking anything here it clearly suggests that I need a refrigerant top up.
I used the tool to run a few tests and actuation and although when prompting it to run my compressor, the tool showed it receiving a signal and turning on, but I don't actually hear anything turning on which leads to my questions:
A - Does low refrigerant level prevent the compressor from actually running?
OR
B - Does having this fault code actively (not cleared) prevent the compressor from running?
Also can someone confirm that my system is using R134a refrigerant? If so I can't buy that in Canada anymore which infuriates me but I'll just make a trip South of the border and pick it up at Walmart (how pathetic we are up here). My province is only 1 of 2 in the entire country where I can't even buy ethanol-free premium gas!
yes, low refrigerant pressure level will prevent compressor from coming on and damaging itself.
All done from the low pressure switch usually near the LP fill valve.
High pressure switch also there to shut off compressor when pressure gets above system max pressure again to save compressor and other components.
IF low pressure switch is on (YOUR CASE); the better question is where is your leak?
Better to fix leak first and then vacuum down and refill completely.
What would you guys suggest for testing for a leak myself? Recommended tools etc, is this something a DIY'er could tackle? I couldn't find any good videos online of my model when it came to servicing the AC system.
What would you guys suggest for testing for a leak myself? Recommended tools etc, is this something a DIY'er could tackle? I couldn't find any good videos online of my model when it came to servicing the AC system.
I believe AC leak tests are usually performed by injecting a colored dye into the system and then watching for signs of that dye on the components.
Is it probable that an 11 year old vehicle could just need a top up of refrigerant with no real leak present, ie, does the gas slowly break down over time? This would be the first time ever the refrigerant level has ever presented itself as low.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
