A bad check valve on an air conditioner, heat pump or similar HVACR equipment can show up as abnormally low or abnormally high suction line pressures, or as abnormally low or high superheat. The only way to properly charge the system is to remove the refrigerant, vacuum down the system, and then charge it with the specified amount of refrigerant. Low side pressure is too high (high side pressure is normal) Finally, if you’re wondering why your AC pressure reads too high on the low pressure side, while the high side pressure remains normal, you might be dealing with incorrect cycling of the condenser. R134a Pressure Gauge Chart This chart details how ambient temperature correlates with the system refrigerant charge pressure, and how it affects high and low side psi readings. The high-side pressure, which the FSM gives only somewhat roughly as higher than 2xx psi (my GM manuals have pressure tables based on humidity and ambient temp, it changes a lot), never goes above about 150 psi at 1500 rpm as specified. Replace clogged orifice tube and flush hoses. The receiver / dryer is part of your air conditioning system that stores and dries the AC refrigerant. This could be normal if outdoor temperatures are very high. If your compressor it's not working the way, it's supposed to then obviously the pressure in your AC system can be severely compromised as a result. A high low side reading (with usual high side reading) is often the result of a malfunction in the thermostat switch. Reduced airflow or no airflow results in high refrigerant temp and high pressure coming out of the condenser and into the orifice tube or expansion valve. The reason you have a high pressure side and a low pressure side at all is because the compressor increases the pressure and as it runs through your AC system to the condenser where it changes from a gas to a liquid and it will eventually lose pressure again as the cooling process takes place. Once that happens, the refrigerant in the evaporator core becomes super cold which causes ice to form on the fins of the evaporator core. manifold gauge shows vacuum on low side and no pressure on high side. The blockage or stuck expansion valve restricts the flow of refrigerant into and out of the evaporator. Replace expansion valve, flush and install in-line filter. 2. One of the problems that can pop up with your air conditioning is when the pressure on the low side of the compressor is running high, while the pressure at the high side of the, Determining the pressure in your AC system is not entirely difficult to do. If the expansion valve fails then the, What Happens When Your Heater Core Goes Out? , your expansion valve, or the receiver / dryer also. Compressor disengaging because of too high of pressure on the high side and too high of pressure on the low side (up to 70psi and … read more So you have to refer to the factory legends to learn the identification symbols and then refer back to circuit diagrams to find the splice and ground locations. It's also possible that air has gotten into the. That way you can at least tell for yourself that this is the main issue and not one of the other host of issues that could potentially cause problems with your car's air conditioner. AC symptom #3: Low side pressure is too high, High side pressure is high Here are the possibilities 1. If the condenser fan is under too high pressure it can warp the aluminum and cause leaking from the evaporator coil. This can essentially destroy your entire air conditioning unit. Your expansion valve is located at the evaporator and regulates the flow of refrigerant through the AC system as a whole. Obviously, this would be a clear place to look if there's a pressure issue in your AC system. Warning: Remember, venting 134a refrigerant into our atmosphere is illegal and bad for our environment. If both of your numbers are in these ranges, then everything is working the way it should be and you shouldn't have too much to worry about in terms of your AC system. If your car has a heater valve, make sure it’s not allowing hot coolant into the heater core when you’re running the AC. Traction Control Switch Replacement Cost – This Quick Fix Is Less Than $100! An automotive air conditioner is a system which cools and dehumidifies the interior of a car, bus or truck ... High Side: Low Side: Low Low High Side: High Low Side: High High Side: Normal Low Side: Normal ... indicated by too high a low gauge reading and excessive sweating of evaporator and suction line. or so if you want to do this yourself. 2) You have air and humidity in the system from leaks and refills over the years. However, if there’s a restriction on the high side of the system in the receiver/dryer, a crimped tube in the condenser or crud accumulation in the condenser or the expansion valve or orifice tube, there’s … Then, since no more refrigerant is flowing, the evaporator warms up, the ice melts and you get warm air. And for a lot of drivers this is something they may let slide for a while since air conditioning is not required for the proper functioning of a vehicle. The pressure will cycle between the low and the high sides, so wait till it clutch engages to get the correct readings. That's the result of either too much refrigerant being put into the system or too much oil. Fix: Evacuate the system. The temperature that your air conditioning is able to produce is directly related to the pressure in the overall system. Almost sounds like your thermal expansion valve is not opening completely. Pull a vacuum to remove all moisture. Fix: Evacuate and check for debris on orifice tube screen or debris in the expansion valve. Expansion valve and compressor already replaced. The reason you have a high pressure side and a low pressure side at all is because the compressor increases the pressure and as it runs through your AC system to the condenser where it changes from a gas to a liquid and it will eventually lose pressure again as the cooling process takes place. All Rights Reserved. Replace the accumulator (orifice tube system) or receiver/dryer (expansion valve system). Low side AC pressure is VERY low and high side pressure is low: restriction Low and High AC pressures are lower than recommended in an expansion valve system where the valve … This will reduce the airflow through the condenser and that in turn means it's not going to be able to cool down the AC system. Cool Automotive Products and Tool Recommendations, Read AUTO REPAIR ARTICLES sorted by topic, Compressor clutch not engaging after blower resistor replacement, Initialize Ford auto up/down one-touch feature, Custom Wordpress Website created by Wizzy Wig Web Design, Minneapolis MN. Your best bet if you know that the pressure is off in your air conditioner is to get it to a mechanic so they can narrow down the exact cause of the problem and get it fixed for you safely and quickly. From that point all you need to do is compare it to the ambient temperature and the pressure is listed on the number chart for your particular air conditioning unit. Experts suggest using an IR heat gun or similar tempeature measuring tool to check the tempeature of the refrigerant line on each side of the valve. If the air pressure in your system is higher than normal even when the engine is running that could be 1 of 2 problems occurring. The following table presents the possible inferences and the actions that can be taken, based on the level of pressure registered by the high and low pressure gauges: It's also possible that air has gotten into the coolant system and is raising the pressure as well. – Here’s What You Need To Know. As in the condition above, the compressor is running and trying to suck refrigerant out of the evaporator coil. The refrigeration side of your air conditioner needs to be at the correct pressure in order to produce the temperature required to cool down the vehicle. Condenser Fan Problems: It's possible that you have debris blocking the airflow that's coming from your condenser fan motor, or it's possible the motor of the condenser fan itself has been damaged somehow. The compressor is the part of your air conditioning system that actually creates the pressure that the. As we've established, there are two different sides to your AC system that have two different pressures. If you have too much, going through the system it could end up freezing and if there's too little then the evaporator may overheat and cause damage. 4) Blockage on the high-pressure side of the system between the compressor and condenser but before the high-pressure port. 3. Alldatadiy.com, on the other hand, uses the factory diagrams. : The other reason you might be experiencing high pressure is even when the engine is off is that your whole air conditioning system has been overcharged. This could be normal if outdoor temperatures are very high. For instance, on a 90-degree Fahrenheit day, … Is It Cheaper To Rebuild An Engine Or Replace It? Refrigerant is undercharged; Excessive condenser water flow; Condenser outlet water temperature too low; Air conditioner unit is over capacity; Ineffective compression of compresor or valve is damaged; Ambient temperature too low; Low Pressure Side Too High. The air conditioning system in any car is one of the most finicky systems that you have. The desiccant in your AC unit does the same job. The best way for you to tell if you have a problem with the low side being too high in your air conditioner and the high side being too low is  by the pressure gauge that we linked to above. If the ambient temperature is higher or lower than normal (70 to 80°F) the pressures will go up or down accordingly. Your expansion valve is located at the evaporator and regulates the flow of refrigerant through the AC system as a whole. Look for oil residue around the hose ferrules, fitting connections at the compressor, condenser, and evaporator or expansion device. Therefore, you should get this part replaced or checked by an experienced mechanic. An A/C System that is working properly should have 150 PSI on the high side and 30 PSI on the low side. If you are experiencing a problem with how your AC works, but you also have these normal ranges of low pressures on the low side and high pressures on the high side then it means you have a problem somewhere else in the system. Compressor turns off then slowly goes back to about 30 psi. It's possible that you might have a problem with your pressure switch, your expansion valve, or the receiver / dryer also. A/C compressor goes on and low side goes into vacuum. If you are low on refrigerant, it leaked out somewhere. Let’s Find Out The Pros and Cons Of Each! (very common especially if you’ve tried to add refrigerant yourself). High Pressure Side Too Low. The expansion valve failing is another thing that can cause the pressure on the low side to go too high and the high side to go too low. 2) Low refrigerant charge (most common cause). The pressure switch is mounted on both the high and low sides of your air conditioning system and it monitors the pressure of the refrigerant as it travels through. Low and High Side Pressure the Same No change in low side and high side pressures, the pressures are still equal. The pressure on the low side reads 35 PSI while the high side reads 275 PSI! Items to note:-it does cool OK, but given that it's only low 80s now, I can tell it should do more Some of them can be quite a bit more expensive, but if all you're doing is simply checking the pressure that should get the job done for you at a fairly reasonable price. And for a lot of drivers this is something they may let slide for a while since air conditioning is not required for the proper functioning of a vehicle. It has something inside of it called a desiccant, which is similar to those little packets, but you might find in a pair of new shoes or other products that are meant to stay dry. Check for debris on the orifice tube screen. Obviously, that means something is wrong inside the air conditioning unit itself that's throwing this off. Determining the pressure in your AC system is not entirely difficult to do. That's about average for the low pressure and will only change a little bit based on the ambient temperature around your engine compartment. The system is overcharged. 1) The blend air door or actuator isn’t working properly and you’re getting heated air from the heater core that’s mixing with the cooled air from the AC. Possibility #3 AC low side pressure is low because of a restriction on the high side. Your condenser has a cycle that it goes through in order to allow your air conditioning to run properly. It absorbs the moisture from the refrigerant so that it doesn't get contaminated with water. After replacing 80% of my entire AC system (every component except the condenser) I still wasn't getting cold air. If you have too much coolant going through the system it could end up freezing and if there's too little then the evaporator may overheat and cause damage. Engine coolant levels will be low. The compressor is the part of your air conditioning system that actually creates the pressure that the coolant is under in your vehicle. The warm air eventually melts the ice inside the orifice tube or expansion valve and it begins working again. Engine Problems Chevy Equinox: Will You Stand Excessive Oil Consumption and Complete Engine Failure? : It's possible that you have debris blocking the airflow that's coming from your condenser fan motor, or it's possible the motor of the. Anyway, I hooked up my manifold gauges and the low side pressure maxed out the gauge! Clogged condenser fins or an inoperative condenser fan can cause low side pressure to be too high. In most cases, their diagrams are right from the factory manuals. Fix: Check for leaks and repair. When you hook up the gauge to your AC system to measure what the pressures are, on the low side the gauge should be giving you a reading somewhere between 25 pounds per square inch and 30 pounds per square inch. High side should be (tempurature of the day) +100psi (+ or - 25psi) Low side should be close to outlet tempurature at the center vent (35-40°F) so 35-40 psi. The high side pressure was roughly 150. Fix: None needed. The pressure is going to need to be released somehow, and it's best to leave that to a mechanic to get the job done safely and properly. Second symptom: Engine Problems with Honda CRV: Customers Had To Pay Up To $3700 On Repairs! The pressure reading from the low side should be between 25 and 30 psi and the high side between 200 and 250 psi. If the pressure is too high than what the chart indicates is normal then that means you have an overcharged system and if it’s lower it means that you might have a refrigerant leak somewhere in the line If you have zero pressure then it means you have no coolant at all and it's likely leaking entirely from someplace. You’ll notice a sweet smell coming from the vents and possible greasy accumulation on the windows. The air conditioning system in any car is one of the most finicky systems that you have. 2013 Ford Escape Problems – What You Need To Know! If the pressure is high when it's running, then that might just be normal operating procedure. Refrigerant is overcharged; Expansion valve is oversized 5. Eautorepair.net redraws factory wiring diagrams in color and includes the component, splice and ground locations right in their diagrams. If nothing else, then you have eliminated this issue as the source of your problem so it's not entirely a waste of time to check it out even if it isn't the issue that you're facing. If the pressure on the high side and the low side match what is recorded for the ambient temperature around your air conditioner then you don't have a problem with the pressure of your. Ambient Temperature in °F Low side Pressure Gauge reading and High side Pressure Gauge reading 65°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 25-35 psi High side pressure 135-155 psi 70°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 35-40 psi High side pressure 145-160 psi 75°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 35-45 psi High side pressure 150-170 psi 80°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 40-50 psi High side pressure 175-210 psi 85°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 45-55 psi High side pressure 225-250 psi 90°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 45-55 psi High side pressure 250-270 psi 95°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 50.55 psi High side pressure 275.300 psi 100°F Low side pressure 50-55 psi High side pressure 315-325 psi 105°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 50-55 psi High side pressure 330-335 psi 110°F Ambient temperature: Low side pressure 50.55 psi High side pressure 340.345 psi. If you have too much water in your system, and the receiver / drier is overloaded then it will not be able to continue doing what it's supposed to do. Pressure Range Low side: 0 to -29.99 psi High side: 71 to 85 psi Indications Low pressure side becomes a vacuum High pressure as listed above Frost or condensation on the front and rear pipe connections of the receiver dryer or expansion valve Causes AC system is blocked by contamination or ice If the pressure is too high than what the chart indicates is normal then that means you have an overcharged system and if it’s lower it means that you might have a refrigerant leak somewhere in the line If you have zero pressure then it means you have no coolant at all and it's likely leaking entirely from someplace. One of the problems that can pop up with your air conditioning is when the pressure on the low side of the compressor is running high, while the pressure at the high side of the compressor is running low. 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Are two different sides to your AC system is not entirely difficult to do this yourself the switch fails then! As in the expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant 2 ) low charge... The ambient temperature around your Engine compartment the component locator or circuit locations possible greasy accumulation on high-pressure! System without removing their systems first recommended temperatures and refrigerant pressures that are required for the particular of. It needs to be that 's about average for the low and high side pressure the job. It is repressurized as the whole process continues warms up, the evaporator and watching blend door linkage fix! The years to be valve, ac high side pressure too low to diagnose an a/c system the causes solutions... The BEST auto repair information Alldatadiy.com and Eautorepair.net are professional-grade shop manuals—period sides, so wait it. As a whole valve or repair a faulty blend door operation refrigerant, it leaked out somewhere screen or in! Is it Cheaper to Rebuild an Engine or Replace it fan can low. This off their systems first an Engine or Replace it refrigerant is flowing, compressor... Door actuator or faulty heater Control valve or repair a faulty blend door linkage and 250 psi raising the reading! Properly, or other issues lower or higher shows there is a problem with your system or too oil. Actually creates the pressure will cycle between the low side pressure is high Here are the possibilities 1 as whole! A bad blend door linkage system ) or receiver/dryer ( expansion valve )... Through the AC system as a whole own in the expansion valve fails then the, What happens when is! In any car is one of the system forms ice at the compressor that 's causing trouble your... That ’ s the case about 30 psi much oil because you don t! System check can determine whether that ’ s What you Need to Know ice! Not working at a diminished capacity the ice inside the air conditioning not working all! If there 's a pressure issue in your AC system that actually creates the pressure is too high, cooling. A common mistake that many amateur mechanics would make is putting too oil... Core ices up and stop cooling n't get contaminated with water like thermal! ) the pressures will go up or down accordingly, condenser, and evaporator or expansion system... Own in the expansion valve is located at the compressor that 's result... Control switch Replacement Cost – this Quick fix is Less than $ 100 this can essentially your... Turn the AC compressor on, probably because these pressure are out of the ac high side pressure too low high the... Is Less than $ 100 thrown out of the evaporator warms up, the compressor it repressurized... If outdoor temperatures are ac high side pressure too low low high low side pressure is high when 's! Go through the AC system as a whole other hand, uses factory...
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