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Wrinklemeist · 07-07-2012, 03:05 PM

In myu 40' 2005 Alpine, the rear a/c unit is not blowing cold. I read the different posts about the coils being cleaned, making sure that tape and foam is in place etc. I had a tech over this afternoon for a different matter and asked him to check out the a/c. He measured the amp draw on the unit and with the compressor running, it only drew 8.25 amps and he said that indicates low freon. The front a/c that is blowing cold is drawing 12.5 amps. He said that indicates a bad a/c. I read that it is cheaper to replace the unit instead of trying to fix it. Any opinions on what the tech said? Makes sense to me that a compressor that has no freon to pump will draw less amps.

TXiceman · 07-07-2012, 03:50 PM

Generally it will be $400 to find the leak, install Schrader valves and recharge the unit when done properly and at the most yo might get a 30 warranty on the work done.

Personally i would replace i, but I;d do it my self. Shop on line fro new units to get a feeling fro the price. It is a 1 to 1.5 hour job by decent techs.

Ken

EngineerMike · 07-07-2012, 04:49 PM

4 amp difference is certainly in the compressor. IIWMI'd change the start capacitor before throwing in the towel on the unit. Its ~$20, easy DIY. Worst case you have a spare capacitor. Doesn't sound like the tech isolated whether the compressor was running full blast. Usually if the cap is bad, you can hear the compressor cycling on & off.

Wrinklemeist · 07-07-2012, 05:53 PM

Thanks Mike, The compressor runs continuously. Does that still sound like capacitor or should I have the tech check something else?

bigfish · 07-07-2012, 09:32 PM

If compresser is not short cycling then I would not suspect the starting capacitor. My bet would be on loss of freon which indicates a leak somewhere. May be cheaper to have a HVAC tech give it the once over & provide a repair quote before opting for replacement.
BTF
05 40FDQS

Dave Fernandez · 07-08-2012, 01:07 PM

If the Compressor is running continuously and it is not cooling means it is not compressing the Freon or a blockage in the system.

If you check the compressor while running and one side of the compressor tubing going out is hot (High Side) the inlet side should be cold. If not it could be low on Freon (which means a leak) or it could be a bad compressor. The compressor could have a bad valve or valves, (they use reed valves) which is not letting the compressor build pressure.

Or it could be a plugged condenser/evaporator or the orifice tube not letting the Freon thru. If the compressor is going bad small pieces of medal from the internals of the compressor can be working there way through the system causing other problems. If you have the compressor replace make sure they flush the system to remove any contaminants and install a good filter in order to prevent any further damage.

A good A/C Tech can diagnosis and repair the problem.