Using AC Pressure Gauges To Fix Car AC Problems

[CrAzY4n00Bs]

My cars rpm drops when I turn on my a/c, can you please tell me what I can do to find the problem please? Great videos!

[scottykilmer]

@CrAzY4n00Bs either the idle up valve isn't working as it's supposed to kick it up a bit, OR the ac compressor is wearing out and dragging the engine too much. Hope it's number one.

[ColdPillowz]

Scotty, love what you do for people and how you go about doing it. Thanks so much man.

[contagiousFX]

@scottykilmer, do you have a reference chart to look at the pressure readings?

[Scottykilmer1]

@contagiousFX no, but you can find em on the net, you need temp, pressure, and humidity charts. Scotty

[Icantseeme]

@scottykilmer The compressor does not come on when i turn on the AC switch.

I just jumped the clutch at the wire off the clitch and it clicks.

I also jumped the pressure Switch and the compressor turns.

I set up my manifold gauges and there's '0' on both high and low sides(both when the compressor was jumped and not jumped).

Do i assume all my refrigerents(R12) are gone therefore i dont get a pressure reading?

[Icantseeme]

@scottykilmer thanks for thr great videos. I have a r12 system. I got a mastercool dual r12/r134 gauge. The high side port does not fit becuase i think it's 3/16". My question is can i put the r134 adapters on my r12 valves and get an accurate reading? Thanks!

[scottykilmer]

@Icantseeme Yes, I do that all the time,Scotty

[xXDaRkCyDeXx]

(repost) 95 integra @ idle ac blows nice and cold but when driving ac is cool not cold... Ac shop diagnosed and repaired a faulty expansion valve however problem still exists. What could likely be the culprit? Any advise would be appreciated.

[scottykilmer]

@xXDaRkCyDeXx Man, on that old thing, everything is worn. Number one, the compressor is certainly worn and inefficent. But, so would be the condenser and evaporator, the whole system basically. They just become less efficient with old age, like hardening of the arteries in people. Scotty

[xXDaRkCyDeXx]

@ScottyKilmer I have a 95 Acura Integra Problem is @idle ac blows nice and cold but when driving

[Samsonite4188]

I recently replaced a cracked line in my car i think all the refirgerant leaked out. how do i go about recharging the system since the compressor won't turn on because there is no refrigerant inside

[scottykilmer]

@Samsonite4188 just hook some some refrigerant and as the pressure raises, the compressor will turn on .Scotty

[Samsonite4188]

@scottykilmer thanks! do i have to use a vacuum pump or should i just add a can of refrigerant and oil?

[brandon671]

"98 to E" drops to "97 to E" in the beginning when rev'd

[scottykilmer]

@brandon671 yep, big engines use big gas. Scotty

[CLa5Sclown]

If you haven't already, would you mind making a video on how to replace shocks? Cuz that'd be great

[scottykilmer]

@CLa5Sclown just type in the search page on the scottykilmer channel on youtube "replacing struts in your car" and watch that. Most cars use struts these days, not shocks. Scotty

[Liamautomechanic]

good vid scotty, we dont need air con here in ireland. because its fairly cold and wet most of the time, cheap gauges there at 50 bucks. do u have bushmills irish whiskey in ur part

[scottykilmer]

@Liamautomechanic yes, texans drink whiskey. Scotty

[rodrigoelgu]

great scotty

[ULTRADREW1]

Love ya scotty you are so awesome for helping complete strangers. They broke the mold when god made ya. Thanks for all these great posts.

[11dimention11]

I like your style Scotty; you’re my first stop when I’m looking for help with the auto questions. Nice job.

[lamiasubs]

Sweet mustang in the beginning Scotty. Is it yours?

Great video btw keep it up :)

[DKornacki3]

LOL 98 miles to empty,*revs engine three times* 97 miles to empty! Great vid like always scotty!

[rhaydon6784]

Scotty, I have a question. In my Haynes repair manual, it strongly advises not to work on the ac and to have it de-pressurized by a qualified shop. Can I do it myself? Is it necessary for the purpose of this testing you demonstrated? Thanks, Ryan.

[jcb1972]

Q: What is the brand name of air compressors that Harbor freight carries?

A: Ingersol Chan

o_O

[moogmanXanders]

it would be interesting to get your take on inproperly lowered cars, those big rediculous looking wings and Fart can mufflers or as i like to call em "civic Kiddied cars" lol theres this one bombing around here a hatchback, patches of primer allover it, low profiles on steel winter rims, big ol potato cannon sticking out the rear and its so low the front wheels catch on the fenders when he tries to make a turn, hillarious

[moogmanXanders]

mind you im not bagging on japanese cars alot of em are great even though i prefer muscle, i wouldnt snub alot of the Nissans and subarus out there, and i Loved my accord till someone ran a stop sign and Tboned er in a Jeep Wrangler. still be driving it if i knew the only problems with it were a bent control arm, bent strut, the rear door and the quarter panel, oh and if the Insurance company didnt screw me by saying it was 50/50 (me and the other driver had the same company)

[yeyo661]

Scotty, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[TutorialTipCom]

My 2001 eclipse is blowing hot air. I think I did set it up correctly. The ends of the hoses seem to be identical and they can go both ways. I did everything just like the video, and the readings were zero on both sides whether I the gauges are turned all the way on or off. I looked at the AC compressor and it was spinning, however, there is a piece on the front of the pulley that is not spinning I could turn it with a bar while the car is running but wont spin with the pulley. what u think?

[7477238]

@TutorialTipCom I'm not Scotty but that part you see not spinning is the compressor clutch, which has to kick in to run the compressor. Either your compressor clutch is not getting electricity or your AC system has run so low on refrigerant due to a leak that the pressure switch won't allow the clutch to engage the compressor. BTW did you turn your AC system on when you tested it?

[TutorialTipCom]

@7477238 yes I turned it on when I did this test. I just charged the system. I will recharge it again tomorrow. If it shows that there is refrigerant, then what would be the problem?

thanks,

[7477238]

@TutorialTipCom Maybe the manifold gauges are defective if they show 0 PSI on both sides. Don't just add refrigerant again though, your system maybe have refrigerant already in it and the last thing you want to do is overcharge it.

Test your compressor clutch, take 2 long wires and hook it up to the compressor clutch connecter then wire it to your battery, if you hear it click then it's working and you can further diagnose other things wrong with the system. Test with the car off.

[scottykilmer]

@TutorialTipCom that pulley is the compressor ac clutch assembly, and it has to spin to work. It's not spinning so it's not working. The system is empty and will not run as the pressure switch warns the computer to not run an empty system. Scotty

[furqanrauf]

good video scotty, glad that you made a detailed video :) my brake light issue is still there can you please comment on it?

[jango1968]

thats a big crack you got in the windscreen

[spelunkerd]

Scotty, my son's 2001 VW Jetta does the fast blinking left signal light, intermittently, even though the bulbs seem OK, and from the outside the front and back turn signals etc seem normal. Do you think the flasher for that side should be changed? Or, is it more likely a bulb or bad connection that just hasn't completely failed yet?

[MegaXcookiemonsterX]

@spelunkerd that fast clicking it telling you theres most likely a blown fuse.

[spelunkerd]

@MegaXcookiemonsterX It's intermittent, and the lights all still work. Thanks for the reply. Also sorry to Scotty for highjacking the thread with an unrelated question.

[MegaXcookiemonsterX]

@spelunkerd in that case test your restat ,relays,and connections...

[scottykilmer]

@spelunkerd try bulbs or check sockets for corrosion first. Scotty

[Michiganborn1969]

Great video Scotty. Think I will use this video along with your AC charging video to fix our '96 Accord EX. I notice you plug a lot of stuff from Harbor Freight. Is there anything you absolutely will not buy from there? I bought an Elcheepo Multimeter & the 2nd time I used it to test my motorcycle battery, it sparked & the probe wires got extremely hot. Was it a POS?

[scottykilmer]

@Michiganborn1969 I would not buy cheaper meters and electronic stuff from them, mainly hard stuff like hand tools and jacks. Scotty

[MrTee448]

I wish Scotty would post a video on how to rebuild a compressor. I got a V5 that's leaking and a reman is $200+ and I see gasket kits for less than $20. Rebuilding my own looks like it would be 90% cheaper!

[scottykilmer]

@MrTee448 forget fixing em, they are complex as hell and full of cheap plastic parts. I only go new, as many are made in china now, cost less, and work fine. Scotty

[briansmobile1]

Great video Scotty! This is what people want to know. A+

[RX7GSLSEowner]

Great video Scotty! Reminded me of a problem with my Toyota truck. The scenario was along the lines of yours where the compressor wasn't doing much. The A/C would sorta cool the cab but not really. The high side was about 200 but the low side was around 60. So the compressor wasn't "sucking" very well and on its way out. Replaced the compressor and all is well. Old compressor had been rebuilt which as you mentioned in a previous video don't do. I'd have to agree with that after this experience!

[samsonevickis]

I love the new outro! 

[bigdaddy19821111]

@scottykilmer wow...that's not far for me I stay in dallas home of the world champions "dallas mavericks". If my car ever crap out I'm getting on i45 to find you for some help lol.

[kzolly]

Great vid Scotty! I was just thinking of buying a new set of guages to test my 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited's system. It's working fine, but I just want to check things out. This video will be a great resource. Thanks!

[bigdaddy19821111]

@scottykilmer where are you located? Do you have your own shop or you retried? Because if you have a shop in texas your definitely my new mechanic always very informative for guys who are not technicians.

[scottykilmer]

@bigdaddy19821111 Houston, and I'm not retired. I work by myself away from the hustle and bustle of modern gotta have it yesterday insanity. Scotty

[MonaLisaKRk]

no one really can diagnose what your A/C needs by only looking at those gauges except experts like Scotty Kilmer.

[scottykilmer]

@MonaLisaKRk hey, you can learn though. Especially if you get the chart for pressures and temperature and humidity. scotty

[srv3fender]

92 deg and your sweating? you wanna stay out of texas then scotty lol

[scottykilmer]

@srv3fender It's humid as can be. I'm sweating now and it's only 80 outside five oclock in the morning. But I was jogging and that's what happens. Scotty

[moofushu]

I guess the only question I would have is how do you make sure you add only the 1.43 Lb with a gauge that reads in PSI? I'm guessing 44 PSI because that's what you said was kinda normal for the car. Is that right?

[guayacan07]

@moofushu: You put the refrigerant tank on a digital scale and add it to the system, once you reach 1.43 lbs you stop adding.

[scottykilmer]

@moofushu I use a scale to weigh the refrigerant, watch my video "how to correctly fill you car's Ac with refrigerant". Scotty

[TRcustomengineering]

Great video Scotty!

I bought tje same gauge set a few weeks ago, haven't used then yet but i hear there pretty good for the money ($50 bucks).

[spelunkerd]

In a previous video you described 'topping the system up' if both pressures are low, arguing that slow microscopic leaks through seals and bearings are the most common cause. But in today's video you suggest evacuating the system and refilling, to properly fill 134a to exact specs. Have you had a change of heart, or are you describing two different scenarios?

[scottykilmer]

@spelunkerd An expert can top it off if he's really good, but you'd need the charts for temp and humidity. emptying and refilling if the safest way, then you know exactly what's in it. Because if you have a problem, the gauge readings can be waay off and you'd put too much refrigerant in. Scotty

[turbotrana]

This was an informative one for me

[wangbungal]

just be careful when turning the knob on those gauges from harbor freight, they are really brittle,but nice nifty tool to have

[scottykilmer]

@wangbungal Yes, I've broken knobs off on all my gauge sets, I end up replacing them with metal knobs from a hardware store for outdoor faucets. Scotty

[identity43]

Great vid!!

[tinydx95t2]

This is a great video.Very nice explanation.

[AdmiralRivas]

I have a 1995 Honda accord v6 and I was driving down the street when I step on the gas the car turn off n won't start anymore

[scottykilmer]

@AdmiralRivas Watch my other video "fixing a car that cranks but doesn't start up". Good luck, Scotty

[MrAnthony78666]

another awesome video! i'm gonna run out & buy my guages right away. 

[alyosha1974]

Great energy, Scotty.

[julianbell90]

that outro was pretty good, could you do a tour of your garage? I'd imagine it being very interesting

[84randomdude]

Could you maybe do a video on how to convert an R-12 system to R-134a? I've seen videos on how to do it before but they were pretty confusing, and not very specific on what had to be done. Thanks.

~Matt~

[scottykilmer]

@84randomdude Sure, next time I do one, I'll film it. Scotty

[84randomdude]

@scottykilmer THANKS! Much appreciated!!

[chevynut71570]

Hi Scotty, Thanks for all the videos you put up! Where can I get a 20 gallon can of R134 like you have??

[scottykilmer]

@chevynut71570 It's thirty pound, I get mine at Sam's, they sell it cheapest. Scotty

[chevynut71570]

@scottykilmer Do you mean Sams Club?

[scottykilmer]

@chevynut71570 yep. Scotty

[rollofnickles]

great info, Scotty, you covered that subject so even I could understand. ;)

[docbipe]

I am maintenance for a living, and the only thing to be afraid of is what you do not understand!

[azthundercloud]

i just repaired my daughters a/c last week. pin hole in one of the lines. great videos as usual.

[docbipe]

Just did my 2003 Volvo (compressor replacement) and diagnosed my brother in laws 96 chevy pickup as not enough charge to run. Thanks for reminding me that a machine is a machine and nothing to be afraid of. Got my gages and vac pump from harbor freight!

[Airplanerevolver360]

cool ending

[MisterMattyMo]

Awesome Video!



[smithraymond09029]

Mr. Scotty, a friend told me Lexus cars have an AC clutch disabling switch that will not allow the compressor to spin when the system is low on gas. My '91 LS400 doesn't engage the clutch. What should I look at first?

[scottykilmer]

@smithraymond09029 first check the pressure, it may just be low on refrigerant, being that old. The switches rarely go bad on any Toyota product. Scotty

[Penguinboy1995]

nice mustang 

[pesodo3951]

naysss



[928baller]

Hey Scotty, I got a 96 chevy Silverado C3500 and the air blower blow out hot air even when it is on A/C? So I drive around with the window down.

[scottykilmer]

@928baller start by checking the refrigerant level with gauges as in this video, It could just be low on refrigerant. Always start with the basics. Scotty

[hp11208]

Scotty they are cheaper now just add the 20% coupon online or instore.

[anthoy56]

is that your boss 302?

[scottykilmer]

@anthoy56 for a week, I get bored quickly. I road test them.Scotty

[ktumbleweed]

@scottykilmer In that case I want your job!!! Ok now a question, I recently worked on an 02 Chevy Tahoe, I replaced compressor, Orifice tube, Accumulator , and rear expansion valve and rear evaporator. I used a friends snap on a/c machine to evac and charge system to exact 42 oz. High side is around 275 low side is 60 to 70. I used customers cheap aftermarket parts. what do you thing problem could be. Orifice tube or a weak compressor?? A/C works, but not great.

[DlSCONNECTED]

@ktumbleweed Fan clutch?

[scottykilmer]

@ktumbleweed Did you flush it out? If not, crud in the system is number one problem to have such high pressures. A restriction somewhere. Run a giant fan in front of it, and if they stay high, I'd flush it out. Scotty

[ktumbleweed]

@scottykilmer I did flush it out. Going down the road I get 60 out of center vent, sitting still its 70. That is during 100 plus weather. My 2011 corolla gets down to 40 during same weather. I am more worried about low side not getting very low. It should get down to 40 to 50psi should it not. I am getting 60 to 70 psi. I think compressor is not pulling good enough suction. I hate cheap parts, this guy bought the cheapest parts he could find. thanks for the reply.

[ktumbleweed]

@scottykilmer Just a quick follow up.  It turned out to be the compressor. Cheap aftermarket parts strike again!!!

[hp11208]

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[132chris]

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