1996 Dodge Caravan AC not blowing cold air

DANBOL86

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
121,000 MILES

My AC will has not blow cold air since I bought it. Recently I wanted to try to fix the problem. So I bought an ac recharge kit and refilled the system to the proper pressure. However the gauge reads the same when the system is on or off and also when the van is off. The clutch is engaging and the system blows air (hot). I checked the fuses but they are all fine. Any ideas as to what could be causing the problem?

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 AT 8:46 PM

9 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Check the blend door. If it isn't working, you will either get all AC or all heat?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 AT 12:27 AM

DANBOL86

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I think the blend door is operating fine because I can control the heat when the heater is on (as far as how hot it gets). When the AC is on it seems to blow about as hot as the outside air temp. If the blend door wasn't working I wouldn't be able to control the temp. Of the heater right? Any other ideas?

****My mistake. Took another look and the clutch is actually not engaging. All the fuses look good. And I turned the air on low and switched back and forth between hot and cold and I can clearly hear the blend door opening and closing. I'm thinking it's more than likely a bad compressor or clutch and probably isn't worth fixing. What do you suggest? And thank you for all the help so far!

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 AT 10:58 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

If the clutch isn't turning on, the first thing to check is to make sure there is freon in the system. If it is low, it won't turn on.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
PS: You are correct about the blend air door.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 AT 12:08 AM

DANBOL86

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I used on of those refill cans with the gauge and filled it up to 55lbs of pressure ( it read 0 before I filled it) but it still wouldn't kick on. Is it possible to turn the clutch by hand to see if it spins. I tried but it would only move a half inch or so in either direction. And thank you for the help.

Also should I try to "jump" the compressor by pulling the A/C relay and jump the connectors? If so what are the correct connector #'s to "jump"?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 AT 6:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Have you rechecked to make sure the freon didn't leak out? Also, you can run power directly to the compressor to see if it kicks on.

Let me know.

Joe

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 AT 10:19 PM

DANBOL86

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Yeah I have been looking and haven't been able to find and leaks. The A/C hasn't worked since I bought the van so not sure how long it's been empty for. When I bought it I was told it worked but that was in January so I couldn't tell. I'll try to run power directly to it and see if it will kick on. Thanks for the reply.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 AT 10:23 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Isn't that great. They tell you the AC works, but you can't even check it. In the future, here is what to do if you get another car in the winter. Turn the defroster on and check to make sure the compressor is working. It works to dehumidify the air to clear the windshield faster.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 AT 10:38 PM

DANBOL86