A/C malfunctions and blows ambient air

Tiny
JIMB2020
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC G6
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
When I turn the A/C on, it blows ambient air (no cooling of any kind). So, I hooked up the gauges to the lines and got extremely high pressure on the low side and normal pressure on the high side. Then, I visually examined the compressor and its clutch. The clutch spins regardless of whether the A/C is on or off. In other words, when the car is running, the A/C clutch is also running (constantly). It appears that it has been doing so for many months. After depressing the schrader valve, little to no refrigerant escaped. I evacuated the lines multiple times, and it did not hold pressure. After each evacuation, excess oil came out along with the air and moisture, and the pressure would not hold after 30 to 45 minutes. I suspected that there was a blockage in the low side somewhere (perhaps passed the TXV on the way back to the compressor). I now suspect damaged compressor/clutch assembly and maybe the condenser as well. I got these parts ready to be replaced. The heater works, and I am able to switch to the A/C side (where the heat stops but no cooling occurs) telling me that the actuator and blend door are working (right?). I am wondering if the TXV or Evaporator have anything to do with these symptoms? How about the pressure switches?
Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 10:24 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

First, what were the exact pressures while it was running? That is very important in determining the issue.

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

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

The fact the AC is always engaged concerns me. Do you have automatic climate control? If you do, that would explain the A/C being on all the time.

How much oil came out of the system How much did the machine recover? There should be little if any recovered during a recovery.

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

I attached a wiring diagram for to view of the system.

Roy
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
JIMB2020
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Roy, unfortunately I got the car in that condition. The A/C never cooled the cabin. My sister has been driving it, and I just fix the issues she is telling me about. The first time I looked at the A/C (six months ago at the end of the summer) I noticed the A/C clutch engaged every time I looked at it. The second time, the first thing I did was depress the valve (just slightly to see why the Low Pressure side was reading in the red (There was no way to record it- it was all the way)). So, I evacuated the system (no recovery was needed- it just did not have any- maybe?). Automatic Climate Control? I am not sure there was such a thing on this G6 3.9 4-door GTP? Everything on this A/C is conventional. I think anyway. The oil? I did not measure (it was flooding the manifold hose). I got new lines (dryer/receiver included), compressor and condenser. I just didn't want to remove the evaporator-txv if I didn't have to. So, I will go ahead and test the circuitry and switches anyway. I also did not want to install a new compressor-condenser-lines only to find out they are being damaged because of a bad txv-evaporator. So, I went a head of myself and asked the question. I will do some electrical testing. But the A/C right now is empty and useless and testing probably isn't productive (right?)
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, make sure the compressor has oil in it before installing. If you replace the condenser and the expansion valve, add 2 ounces of oil before charging after evacuating.

Then add the exact amount of Freon and let me know the results.

Roy
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 9:49 AM
Tiny
JIMB2020
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Okay Roy, I will not remove the evaporator- only the txv while I replace the the lines-compressor-condenser components. So, this will leave me with the evaporator. I am assuming replacing everything except the evaporator will not be an issue (right?) I will then test the system and see if that does the trick. Let me know if I am on the right track.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are on the correct track.

Put the system under 30 inches of vacuum for 1 hour and see if it holds. It should not drop more than 1 pound in 10 minutes.

Roy
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM

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