AC cooling intermittent now nothing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

thor0812 · 06-24-2012, 09:03 PM

On my 2000 Silverado, ac started cooling intermittently. Would work when I would first crank in the mornings and would cool all the way to work (approx 30 miles). In the evening when temps were hotter it would cool about halfway home then go to ambient temp. Occasionally it would start to cool again just before I got home. Today I left home and drove about 20 miles and the cooling went away and now wont cool at all! When I got home I checked and the compressor isn't engaging. I checked the low pressure switch and nothing. Checked all connections and fuses and all look good and tight. I checked for power to the compressor with a test light and there is power to the compressor. Any ideas? Is the clutch shot?? Any of you Chevy gurus ever run into something like this before? Of course this doesn't happen in September or October. Its gonna be in triple digits for the next few days here at least so if yall have any ideas please give me a shout!
Thanks in advance

jchav62 · 06-25-2012, 03:08 PM

I'm no 'guru', but to me it seems that your freon leaked out. If there is no or low freon, the compressor will not kick on. Add a can or two of freon.

Bob 68327 · 06-25-2012, 11:11 PM

There is a switch on the dryer at the firewall jumper it and make sure the compressor runs if it pulls in when you jumper it then the switch is bad . Pretty common problem . if it still does nothing you probably lost the charge or a compressor. My 2 cents worth......

mitch2264 · 06-26-2012, 07:55 AM

If after checking the electrical items mentioned, I would think about clutch gap-Google "checking compressor clutch gap". Too darned hot not to have A/C

.

Good luck!

**truckdude239** · 06-26-2012, 11:18 AM

sounds like your low on freon i see this every day. you will have power to the clutch but the other side is the ground the low pressure swtich will keep the clutch from engaging by breaking the ground circuit due to low freon

thor0812 · 06-26-2012, 08:51 PM

Jumped the low and high pressure switches and nada! I'm starting to think the intermittent was the clutch going out and now it has just finally crapped out. When it was cooling it was super cold. No noise or anything like that from the compressor.

mitch2264 · 06-27-2012, 07:28 AM

From what I have read on an automotive a/c site, to check clutch gap you can pop the front of the clutch with a broom handle and see if it engages. Just be REAL careful! This generation would be a little tricky since the compressor is at the bottom. It is supposed to be 98/99 degrees here this weekend--I know Texas is HOT!

Good luck getting cold air flowing!

**truckdude239** · 06-29-2012, 08:18 AM

put a set of gauges on the system and jump the low side switch pressures should be between 35-45psi on the low and 175-250 on the high side anything lower means the system is low on freon. start with the basics, don't just jump to the compressor clutch, you could just have a bad low side switch which are easy to change just screw it off it has a valve behind it that closes as you remove it.

**truckdude239** · 06-29-2012, 08:20 AM

never mind just saw that you jumped them both it it didn't come on, check for power at the clutch plug, also check your a/c fuse if the clutch is shot normaly it will blow the a/c clutch fuse

06-24-2012, 09:03 PM	#1
thor0812 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dayton, Texas Posts: 48	AC cooling intermittent now nothing On my 2000 Silverado, ac started cooling intermittently. Would work when I would first crank in the mornings and would cool all the way to work (approx 30 miles). In the evening when temps were hotter it would cool about halfway home then go to ambient temp. Occasionally it would start to cool again just before I got home. Today I left home and drove about 20 miles and the cooling went away and now wont cool at all! When I got home I checked and the compressor isn't engaging. I checked the low pressure switch and nothing. Checked all connections and fuses and all look good and tight. I checked for power to the compressor with a test light and there is power to the compressor. Any ideas? Is the clutch shot?? Any of you Chevy gurus ever run into something like this before? Of course this doesn't happen in September or October. Its gonna be in triple digits for the next few days here at least so if yall have any ideas please give me a shout! Thanks in advance

06-25-2012, 03:08 PM	#2
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing I'm no 'guru', but to me it seems that your freon leaked out. If there is no or low freon, the compressor will not kick on. Add a can or two of freon. __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

06-25-2012, 11:11 PM	#3
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing There is a switch on the dryer at the firewall jumper it and make sure the compressor runs if it pulls in when you jumper it then the switch is bad . Pretty common problem . if it still does nothing you probably lost the charge or a compressor. My 2 cents worth...... __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

06-26-2012, 07:55 AM	#4
mitch2264 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 17	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing If after checking the electrical items mentioned, I would think about clutch gap-Google "checking compressor clutch gap". Too darned hot not to have A/C . Good luck! __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra SLE C1500 5.7 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2009 Toyota Venza

06-26-2012, 11:18 AM	#5
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing sounds like your low on freon i see this every day. you will have power to the clutch but the other side is the ground the low pressure swtich will keep the clutch from engaging by breaking the ground circuit due to low freon __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

06-26-2012, 08:51 PM	#6
thor0812 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dayton, Texas Posts: 48	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing Jumped the low and high pressure switches and nada! I'm starting to think the intermittent was the clutch going out and now it has just finally crapped out. When it was cooling it was super cold. No noise or anything like that from the compressor.

06-27-2012, 07:28 AM	#7
mitch2264 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 17	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing From what I have read on an automotive a/c site, to check clutch gap you can pop the front of the clutch with a broom handle and see if it engages. Just be REAL careful! This generation would be a little tricky since the compressor is at the bottom. It is supposed to be 98/99 degrees here this weekend--I know Texas is HOT! Good luck getting cold air flowing! __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra SLE C1500 5.7 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2009 Toyota Venza

06-29-2012, 08:18 AM	#8
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing put a set of gauges on the system and jump the low side switch pressures should be between 35-45psi on the low and 175-250 on the high side anything lower means the system is low on freon. start with the basics, don't just jump to the compressor clutch, you could just have a bad low side switch which are easy to change just screw it off it has a valve behind it that closes as you remove it. __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

06-29-2012, 08:20 AM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: AC cooling intermittent now nothing never mind just saw that you jumped them both it it didn't come on, check for power at the clutch plug, also check your a/c fuse if the clutch is shot normaly it will blow the a/c clutch fuse __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube



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