air conditioner wont cool

weasel68 · June 21, 2017

i replaced the high side fitting on my 2003 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 gas truck. i went to fill back up with gas and the low side set at 40 and the high side set at at 250. i was trying to get the high side at 200 but was afraid of blowing lines with too much pressure. it only held 1 can which i thought it should at least hold 2.5 - 3.5 cans. it will only blow luke cool air. is it stopped up somewhere. the compressor kicks in and out. the lines are one hot and one cold. do i need a new drier or orifice. thanks

bgbdwlf2500 · June 22, 2017

low side should be cold, high side should be warm. it could be a blockage.

Ianf · June 22, 2017

If you ever used leak seal in the system it probably gummed up the orifice tube. In any event, if you replace the orifice also replace the evap./drier. One can of leak seal for a slow leak over many years and it totally clogged my orifice tube turned into a cement like consistency and was a bugger to remove the tube and clean the system.

weasel68 · June 22, 2017

low side should be cold, high side should be warm. it could be a blockage.

yes that is how the lines are.

weasel68 · June 22, 2017

If you ever used leak seal in the system it probably gummed up the orifice tube. In any event, if you replace the orifice also replace the evap./drier. One can of leak seal for a slow leak over many years and it totally clogged my orifice tube turned into a cement like consistency and was a bugger to remove the tube and clean the system.

i haven't used and leak stopper but whom ever owned before me may have. i called yesterday and will be getting the dryer and tube this evening so hopefully this will take care of it. thanks

weasel68 · June 28, 2017

the compressor kicks on fine. i ordered me a set of gauges should be here Friday. i have put in a new drier an orifice tube.

weasel68 · July 1, 2017

got my gauges- put on dryer and orifice. put 1 can of gas again and was 50 and 275. i pulled vacuum also. any more help appreciated. the compressor kicks on .

muddkatt · July 2, 2017

How many ounces of refrigerant was in that can?

You are taking these readings with the AC set to cold, fan on high, not in the recirculate mode correct?

Have you changed the cabin air filter?

weasel68 · July 2, 2017

12 oz can

a/c on--not recalculation-- fan on high. im going to look at the filter if it has one but i looked a little and one site said in 03 it was discontinued on this model for a cabin filter. thanks

avmech · July 10, 2017

Might be the temp blend door actuators not going full cold. Just replaced both mine on my 03 Sierra. No filter on the 03, had one on my 99

weasel68 · July 10, 2017

Might be the temp blend door actuators not going full cold. Just replaced both mine on my 03 Sierra. No filter on the 03, had one on my 99

would that affect how much r134a you can put in?

ARFFAZ · July 10, 2017

2002 was the last year with cabin filter.

When compressor kicks on does it stay on?

You really need to have your system vacuumed down and make sure that your system will hold -30 Hg for an hour or so. You can rent a vacuum from autozone, but must have the system charge pulled prior. After you verify your system has no leaks (holds vacuum) you should add a little dye then fill your system to manufacture specs. You should have also added some PAG oil when you changed out your drier unless it was preoiled. You should now be able to add 1.6 LBS or 25.5 oz of 134A without rear air...not sure with rear air....sticker with info will be on your radiator fan shroud. This will give you the most accurate and known reading. Remember you need to turn the 134A cans side to side when you are charging the system.

Don't be concerned with the pressure you are seeing until you have the correct amount of refrigerant onboard.

If you are trying to read off pressure you will have to follow a chart depending on your outside air temperature. But I am thinking you haven't reached the correct amount of refrigerant yet.

http://acprocold.com/faq/r-134a-system-pressure-chart/

If your compressor is kicking on and staying on after you have the correct amount of R134A I would check your condenser for obstructions.

Dnt · July 10, 2017

i replaced the high side fitting on my 2003 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 gas truck. i went to fill back up with gas and the low side set at 40 and the high side set at at 250. i was trying to get the high side at 200 but was afraid of blowing lines with too much pressure. it only held 1 can which i thought it should at least hold 2.5 - 3.5 cans. it will only blow luke cool air. is it stopped up somewhere. the compressor kicks in and out. the lines are one hot and one cold. do i need a new drier or orifice. thanks

If you have a restriction the low side should drop down to near 0 on your blue gauge. Probably just air and moisture in the system. Give it a good vacuum and you should be good to go. Refrigerant amount should be stated on a sticker under the hood.

Arth · July 10, 2017

You aren't adding enough refrigerant. The high side will stay really high until you get enough refrigerant in the system. Start on that second can. The compressor will kick on as you add and the fans will too. Once you get closer to the required amount the high side will shoot down.

Least that was my experience working on a 2003 Suburban and a 2006 Ford Focus.