A/C Pressure Gauge Fluctuations

First, my A/C doesn't work, and this is the video I'm posting so others can see (and possibly hear) what it's doing.

This is what the pressure gauge does when I turn on my A/C. It rises as the compressor kicks on, but then the compressor kicks off and the pressure drops.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• taurus
• a/c
• tcca
• compressor
• assistance
• help

[sdeery]

Do you have a real gauge set ? Be curious as to what the high side is doing ? If you used one of those A/C recharge kits you possibly have too much refrigerant in the system. Not being able to see what the compressor is doing it looks like its shutting down because of high pressure in the system. Best bet is to take it to a mechanic who works on A/C systems.

[projectmoped]

Unfortunately, no, I don't have a real gauge set. Thanks for the suggestion, but it's going to be a long time before I can take it to a mechanic, because there's way too much else that has to be taken care of, money wise, before my A/C. :/

[KaptainKoolAidz]

It appears as if the AC compressor is just fluctuating on and off which is normal for a lot of cars

[projectmoped]

It does that over and over and over, at that interval. I think that if it's not cold, then the compressor should kick on and stay on. Remember, it's not working at all. :/

[mafed451]

maybe you got moisture in the system and its freezing in the orifice as it gets cold which is causing high discharge pressure making the compressor cycle. or it could be something else. would be nice to know what discharge pressure looks like.

[bca15555]

My car's AC was doing the exact same thing, the gauge showed the same fluctuation, and the compressor was cycling on and off every 2-3 seconds just like this video. I got the DYI can of 134a and within a minute or so after I started adding refrigerant, the compressor stopped cycling and the gauge started reading a steady pressure and the AC started working fine. The system seemed to just be very low when I started.

[motorhead45102]

what is happening is your a/c clutch is cylcing and more than likely due to low refrigerant charge

[clearliquid]

 what eerrbb256 said. try putting some refrigerant in.

[DrTalon123]

yea dude, see if you might be able to borrow a set of gauges with high and low side pressure readings. the crappy "can" gauge doesnt give enough information for a proper diagnosis. But from what i can see, the pressure surge you have might be from a low charge causing the compressor to kick on and off.

[eerrbb256]

your a/c system seems to be low on refrigerant, its the a/c compressor switching on and off, if you add some refrigerant then wait 3-5 minutes it should stop then you can completely recharge your system