AC help please

KBMKVIII · Jun 26, 2013

Max ac on will not get cold even with the radiator condenser fan on.
Has correct pressure in ac system.
Will get cool while on the highway but not cold.
I have AE. What should I look for with the ac menu in AE?
Fan blower works good so I don't think the coil is plugged.
Help is appreciated as I am in Amarillo for work and its fuggin hot!
Thanks!

HOOV3R · Jun 26, 2013

How dirty is the condenser? Try steaming/cleaning it out, sounds like lack of flow across the condenser.

KBMKVIII · Jun 26, 2013

It is very clean. Power washed it just yesterday.

KBMKVIII · Jun 26, 2013

Also the curved line towards the front of the truck coming out of the canister is cold and almost frosty.

Gary · Jun 27, 2013

Try cleaning the evaporator core then,

POWER-STRUCK · Jun 27, 2013

is it a 05-07 model? if so pump the system down and check to see if the orifice is clogged, if it is clogged the system needs flushed because the drier went bad

parts needed:
a/c drier
orifice

KBMKVIII · Jun 27, 2013

It is a 06.
Sorry I don't know what you mean by pump it down.
Also what orifice are you referring to?
Thanks!

POWER-STRUCK · Jun 27, 2013

Pic 1 orifice location
Pic2 orifice
Pic 3 drier
Pump it down means to recover freon

96F350KID · Jun 27, 2013

Lets start with what are your pressures? You say they're ok but what it sounds like to me is you have a clouge in the condenser in the inside or what POWER-STRUCK said the orifice tube is clouged. That or the system is freezing which will cause no air flow through the EVAP.

KBMKVIII · Jun 27, 2013

As far as pressures it reads around 50-55 psi with max ac on after start.
But I know it reads slightly higher until it is at about 2k rpm correct?

KBMKVIII · Jun 27, 2013

And what is a clouge? Lol
I know, clogged...

96F350KID · Jun 27, 2013

Whats hi side? thats gonna tell you whats going on. On a hot day with a/c on MAX low side is 40-45 here in FL. what about on low? You hi side will increase A LOT with it on low which is how you diag the system. Harbor freight has a cheap set of gauges you can pick up. your pressures should be between 45-50 low and 200-250 high on a hot day (80* low humid) with the blower on hi

POWER-STRUCK · Jun 27, 2013

what happens is that they had a bad run of driers and the clay condescent material comes apart and clogs the system. pulling the orifice with verify this. i have found that by using the four seasons drier you not only save money but also will see drops in temperature of 6-10 degrees low side pressures should be 25-40 and the high side 150-200. also if you use the snow plow fan clutch the system will be even more efficient. I have seen duct temperatures as low as 38 degrees at idle with this setup

KBMKVIII · Jun 27, 2013

Great info on the bad run of dryers.
Any idea of what years this affected?
Also what should I look for when testing with regular ac mode?
Used reg ac today and it was nearly the same temp as max.
So I prob need a dryer and orifice from the sounds of it.
And my pressure looks good judging by it being 105* here in Amarillo.

POWER-STRUCK · Jun 27, 2013

if the high side pressure is normal and not cycling then the drier may be good
saw it most commonly in the 05 -07's
if nothing is found to be wrong then check recirculate inlet behind the glove box
watch for high side pressures and the system should cycle out when the low side gets below 25psi

KBMKVIII · Jun 28, 2013

Thank you!
Ill be looking into this on Sunday!

old96stroker · Jun 28, 2013

I had a similar problem to this several years ago, replaced the orifice, recharged the system and still did not work, ended up taking the truck to someone else, new mechanic looked at it and checked the air gap on the clutch for the ac compressor and re-shimmed it and adjusted it and it was good as new, cost me like 30 bucks. My truck was a late 99 btw, don't know if ac components are the same, good luck.