Intermittently cold air will blow for a few minutes?

Hello,

If the compressor runs with refrigerant inside and does not build pressure the compressor has gone bad here is a guide to help walk you through the steps of replacing the it and recharging the system with diagrams below to show you on your truck.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Hi Cmangum,

More than likely your high gauge is reading a very small amount of pressure but due to it being a higher pressure gauge it looks like it is not reading. If you have pressure on the low side, you will have some amount of pressure on the high side. More than likely it is pretty close to being even pressure on low and high side which basically means you compressor is not building pressure. The fact that you pulled it down and it held a vacuum shows there is no leak but the compressor itself is not building pressure. Any time the compressor is cycling but no pressure is building, it typically means the compressor is not doing anything but spinning. There is a slim chance that you have a complete restriction but that normally always presents itself as a very high pressure on the high side.

I included the procedure to replace the compressor because based on this info, that is the direction it appears to be going.

Let me know if I am missing something or didn't understand what your issue is. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

This sounds like the compressor has gone out or the system is low on charge or a fuse is bad, these videos and guides can help us fix the problem with diagrams below to show you how on your car. I have included (below) the air conditioner wiring diagrams as well so you can see how the system works.

https://youtu.be/4UjfQKvrB6Y not working

and

https://youtu.be/uZrQCGwXfek recharge

and

https://youtu.be/yrhWKlQEPWw leak detection

and

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY vacuum and recharge

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

First you have to determine why the compressor is not engaging before you will know what to look for. All AC systems have some means of disabling the compressor if the system pressure gets too low. If there is a big enough leak, the compressor could put the system into a vacuum, and that could draw in outside air. The humidity in that air combines with refrigerant to form an acid that will attack metal parts. Once the system is recharged, that moisture will circulate and freeze at the orifice tube or expansion valve. That ice will stop the flow of refrigerant until it melts. That typically causes intermittent loss of cooling that can last up to an hour.

There is a low-pressure cut-off switch or a pressure sensor that disables the compressor. The place to start is by measuring the system pressure. If it is low, you will need to search for a leak, then recover the refrigerant that is left in the system, then recharge it with the amount specified.

Good afternoon,

Do you have gauges to test the high and low side pressures? I need those pressure to see if the system is working correctly.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Check the condenser in the front to be sure there is no dirt or debris in the fins. Clean them out if there is any debris.

Try spraying some water on the condenser and see if the cold air returns.

Roy

Hello,

It sounds like the compressor is out the relay is not working here are two guides to help us see whats wrong and how to fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

No, the PCM has control of the compressor relay.
You need a scan tool that can look at data so you can see what pressure the sensor is sending to the PCM. They fail quite often and cannot be jumped out.

What you did is clear the code memory in the HVAC. Whatever code set the first time may set again and then again you may have already resolved the issue so time will tell.

Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Have you checked if it was low on Freon? If it is, this can happen. Take a look through these links and let me know if they help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Hello, I am Danny.

It sounds like you might be having a problem with the air temperature actuator. It is located on the HVAC unit under the dashboard. It is an electric motor that controls air flow through a door using different ducts. I have attached a picture (circled in red) and tutorial on how to replace. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions if needed. Thanks for using 2Carpros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor