97 K1500 Air Conditioning woes

[rjirvine]

My AC doesnt cool on my 1997 K1500. The compressor clutch will engage and there's good pressure in it (I tried adding R-134, and was using the servicing pressure guage) The outlet of the compressor is cold, but the inlet to the accumulator just downstream is ambient temperature. Should I try replacing or cleaning the orifice tube? Or is the compressor probably shot? If I replace the orifice tube, can I service the coolant back up myself without any harm? (instead of having to go in and have the whole thing evacuated etc?) I don't really want to sink much money into it. Also, when the compressor kicks in there is no pressure drop in the system that I can tell, so leads me to believe theres no circulation thru the system.

[ken1mod]

you got it wrong. the output of the compressor is hot and goes to the condenser in front of the radiator. if the accumulator is cold and sweaty, the unit is working well. Too much refrigerant will make the system run warmer.

 

In warm, wet weather, the a/c will not work as well as hot and dry. If there is a puddle of water under the parked truck, the ac is working as well as possible.

 

Ken