AC issues/leak

Tiny
JPRIEBE66
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I have the SUV listed above with front/rear AC. I replaced and oiled compressor, condenser, accumulator and orifice tube. Put my vacuum pump on and I have a substantial leak. All hoses appear dry no obvious visible leaks or audible leaks. Added aerosol dye but the compressor is not cycling to circulate the dye so I cannot locate the leak. Tried crossing the low pressure switch to get the compressor to run without success. Tested low pressure switch leads with a multi-meter and got 4.6 volts. Very strange, as I was prepared for 0 or 12 but not 4.6. With low pressure switch jumped I tested the leads at the compressor and got no current. Checked fuse and swapped relay with the headlights which appear to use the same relay without success. How can I get the compressor to run long enough to circulate the dye to find/fix my leak? Is this also likely a sign of a separate electric issue with the climate control in addition to the mechanical problems I have already fixed?
Thursday, May 10th, 2018 AT 9:20 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

You can run a twelve volt wire to the compressor directly or just jump 30 and 87 on the clutch relay. also, the switches only run on five volt reference voltage, not twelve like the old days.

Do you mean the Freon leaks out right away? Was this happening before the compressor replacement?

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system
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Thursday, May 10th, 2018 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
JPRIEBE66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Roy, thanks for the tip on crossing the relay. No Freon leaks out because until the system will hold vacuum there is no point in adding Freon I added some UV reactive dye to the low pressure port now I just need to run the compressor for a bit to circulate the dye so I can use my UV light and cool space man goggles to locate the leak. I am planning on crossing the relay run the compressor for five minutes or less if I spot dye. Any other suggestions?
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Thursday, May 10th, 2018 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Once you spot the dye, you found your leak and it needs to repaired before you can proceed.

Roy
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Friday, May 11th, 2018 AT 4:35 AM

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