Story:
This afternoon it was working OK considering how hot the car was from being out in the sun and how hot the sun was coming into the car but I didn't go far enough for it to have a chance to get the car cooled down. When I got back in it I started it with the hood open (to vent all the hot air straight out) and left it for a minute with the A/C recirculating hoping to get it cooled off a bit. While it was idling it was making all the usual noises but then I heard a clicking noise that sounded like it was coming from the A/C compressor. I hopped in and brought the revs up a bit (thinking the compressor might be bogged down) and my friend said the clicking stopped but I turned the car off since I realized it wasn't doing any good it was just too hot. Once I finally left I hit the A/C drove for a few minutes then realized the air coming out was very hot so I turned it off hoping maybe the compressor had gotten too hot or something and would cool off and work again. I waited until I got on the highway and everything started cooling down to try again but still nothing... Then I let the car cool down in my air conditioned garage and tried again later still nothing.

Cliffs:
My A/C seems to have died...

Situation:
The compressor clutch engages but no cool air. I also noticed a quiet hissing noise coming from the passenger side foot well. I'm thinking this isn't going to magically fix it self or be an easy fix but I figured I'd ask if anyone had any insight before taking it to my friends shop anyway.

Relevant info:
I have a Power FC but I have made the A/C work reliably. The A/C dot comes on, the compressor clutch engages but no conditioned air is created.

Thanks,
-Kurt

 

Interesting. Not sure what the clicking would be. The passenger side footwell hissing would be refrigerant coming through the expansion valve...totally normal.

It would be best if you could post the high and low side pressures, but you probably don't have any gauges.

Is the suction line coming out of the firewall cold?

You may have an issue with the blend doors under the dash rather than an issue with the refrigeration system.

 

I had my friend's A/C manifold w/ gauges in my garage for over a year but of course a couple months ago he finally took it so I don't have any gauges. I wasn't sure if that sound was normal or not, its quiet enough that when everything works properly you don't think about it. I'll check to see if any lines are getting cold. I wouldn't be surprised if my blend doors were the issue, my hvac is a mess I can barely ever get it to give me any heat but up until now the A/C has always been icy cold.

 

I checked again and the compressor clutch isn't engaging now although the A/C dot on the power fc is lit. So I'm guessing it's low on refrigerant?

 

It could be...if it is, you must've sprung a big-*** leak. Look at the condenser and see if you've got oil stains...might have gotten hit by a rock (??).

 

Couldn't it have been a small leak that finally let pressure get below the threshold for the compressor running? I'm getting worried again lol.

 

If it was cooling well a few days ago in hot weather, and now you're below the binary switch threshold (which is REALLY low), then it is probably a big-*** leak.

Look on the bright side...big-*** leaks are usually easy to find with just your ear!

 

Actually this was the first hot day I've driven the FD this year but when it was humid and a little on the warm side the A/C still worked great. Either way thanks for your help! My next step now is to take it to my friend's shop and find out what the deal is.