1998 Chevy S-10 A/C low side shows high pressure

Tiny
NAKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
My a/c show high pressure on the low side. What can cause this. I am the original owner and the a/c has never been seviced. Can this cause any damage? The a/c works good, 45 degrees coming out of vent. Can I just relieve some of the pressure from the low side valve?
Monday, June 8th, 2009 AT 10:17 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
What are the readings? Are the gauges you are using calibrated? If the A/C blows cold, why are you concerned, if you don't mind me asking.
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Monday, June 8th, 2009 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
NAKE
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I'm not using a dial gauge. It's an Interdynamics unit that has four windows that say low charge, proper charge, alert, warning, the last being high. It goes on the low side valve. I tested it on my other two cars and it said proper charge, so I'm thinking the reading is correct. I was concerned if it was high, if it could do damage to the a/c system.
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Monday, June 8th, 2009 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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The device you mention is not familiar to me and it may be telling you that there may be a restriction somewhere in the system, perhaps the receiver/drier is starting to get a bit old(?) I would start with a visual inspection of the system for possible damage or perhaps check for condensation at an inappropriate location which might indicate a restriction. I would also tend to think that since the system seems to be operating properly at this time, you may wish to put dial gauges on it and confirm the low and the high side pressures before taking any action, my dad always said "if it aint broke, dont fix it!" And to respond to the concern about possible damage to the system, there are safety switches that shut the system down if the high side pressure gets too high so that damage won't occur. I have always been a bit suspicious of using just the low side pressures to diagnose the health of the system, maybe the readings you see from the truck are close to the measuring devices threshold and it is possibly giving you incorrect information, just my opinion.
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Monday, June 8th, 2009 AT 11:22 AM

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