AC clutch kicks in then immediately disengages

[Cory S]

Guessing a slow leak had started at some point.

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[sk47]

Guessing a slow leak had started at some point.

Hello; Do not know if an old school notion still applies. That notion being the AC needs to be run at least once a month and better if run more often. Cars that sit for months or the AC is not run often use to have seals issues.
Modern systems often will run the AC if you use a windshield defrost setting with a fan speed on.

 

[Cory S]

Hello; Do not know if an old school notion still applies. That notion being the AC needs to be run at least once a month and better if run more often. Cars that sit for months or the AC is not run often use to have seals issues.
Modern systems often will run the AC if you use a windshield defrost setting with a fan speed on.

Yes. Systems have almost always activated the compressor when defrost was activated since the mid 70’s. Yes, these systems should be ran periodically (weekly) to keep the seals from shrinking and keep the lubrication process moving.

 

[K4fxd]

Would the "clog" be related to orifice tube/filter clog in the line(s)?

Could be.

Or do the newer A/C systems not use those any more?

It's part of the AC line.

The most common reason for a clog in the S550 is the dryer. Which requires replacing the dryer and condenser. I always replace the compressor and flush the lines.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Guessing a slow leak had started at some point.

I'm hoping.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Got my gauges a few hours ago.

Starting to feel kind of lame because I can not find where the high pressure port is.

I can't see it in my car, so figure it's just something blocking my view. Been searching the web and this forum plus my factory service manual but no pics of where it is. A zillion pics and videos for the low side for people only wanting to add freon.

Update: found it where I wasn't looking.

 

[Cory S]

Got my gauges a few hours ago.

Starting to feel kind of lame because I can not find where the high pressure port is.

I can't see it in my car, so figure it's just something blocking my view. Been searching the web and this forum plus my factory service manual but no pics of where it is. A zillion pics and videos for the low side for people only wanting to add freon.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Hello; Do not know if an old school notion still applies. That notion being the AC needs to be run at least once a month and better if run more often. Cars that sit for months or the AC is not run often use to have seals issues.
Modern systems often will run the AC if you use a windshield defrost setting with a fan speed on.

In my case, I never turn AC off unless the windows are down and that is very rare. So, the compressor gets run a lot in AZ even most afternoons in winter.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Thanks, but I've seen that and dozens just like it. They all focus on charging which only involves the low-pressure port which is easily spotted visually on GTs. I would recognize the port if I could see it. Just need to know where to look and/or what to move aside to see the HIGH-pressure port.

 

[Cory S]

The high side port is located up towards the radiator. Right side?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The high side port is located up towards the radiator. Right side?

Yeah. Just came in to post I found it. If it was a snake it would have bit me. I was thinking it would be very close to the compressor because high side ports on some other cars I found were.

 

[Slopoke]

 

[Slopoke]

Sorry for the small pics. I don't have a free converter to change pdf to jpeg, so I had to take windows screen shots.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Sorry for the small pics. I don't have a free converter to change pdf to jpeg, so I had to take windows screen shots.

Thanks. They confirm where the ports are.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Examining the gauge set, there are quick connects on the port ends of the hoses. At first I thought maybe cars need a manufacturer/model adapter for the other end of a quick connect for the ports. Eventually, I concluded the ports in the car ARE quick connects even though all plastic.

First try to connect the high port ended with a split-second loss of refrigerant and NO connection. Am pretty confident I had it aligned right. So am stopping to figure out how to connect it without defeating the goal of measuring how much refrigerant there is by losing refrigerant hooking the gauges up.

Had to use one hand under the tube with the port because otherwise the quick connect on the gauge hose just pushed the tube and port away. The other hand pulled the quick release collar up while pushing the connector down onto the high port. But as I said: Pshhhhh and no lock-up!

Maybe there will always be some loss but didn't want to extend the loss due to operator error.

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