|
|
2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
|
|
| |
|
|
cincyeric
Novice
Jul 17, 2019, 10:36 AM
Post #1 of 11
(2077 views)
|
|
2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
Hello,
I have a 2006 Dodge Charger 3.5L with around 68k miles. The A/C is only cooling to about 5-10 degrees less than outside temp.
The high and low side gauge readings rise and fall together. Outside temp is 82 degrees with these readings below. Windows open and A/C on full blast for a few minutes.
Here's where they start: Low side 25psi, high side 125psi
After a couple of minutes, the high and low side each rise to, low side 37psi, and high side 210psi
I then hear a click and they fall back down to low point of 25/125. This click doesn't sound like it's coming from the compressor. The compressor is engaged the whole time during this rise and fall.
After a couple minutes the cycle starts over again.
With the car off, the reading are low side 80, high side 125.
Everything I read/watch seems to show pressure readings remaining relatively constant after the system runs for a few minutes.
I'm hoping someone might be able to help me figure out what these fluctuating readings means.
Thanks!
Eric
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 17, 2019, 11:55 AM
Post #2 of 11
(2072 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
Are you sure your cooling fan isn't cycling on and off or high and low?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 17, 2019, 12:24 PM
Post #3 of 11
(2058 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
? First observations and pressures taken were consistent to me for that performance.
Now with - and I take it that the car is totally shut off you get different high and low readings? For a few seconds not very long. Just that is probably YOU and gauges either getting used to them but it almost can't happen if checking properly,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
cincyeric
Novice
Jul 17, 2019, 12:31 PM
Post #4 of 11
(2055 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
I would have sworn they stayed on the whole time. After your question I just double checked and you nailed it. The cooling fan is cycling on and off.
It cycles off after being at the low point for a couple minutes. The pressure starts rising at the same time it cycles off. Then at the high point for both pressure, the fans cycle on and the pressures drop to the low points.
Does this point to anything specific?
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 17, 2019, 12:38 PM
Post #5 of 11
(2047 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
Most likely low on refrigerant.
Don't just randomly add refrigerant though. The charge needs to be exact. Have it evacuated and recharged using the proper equipment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 17, 2019, 1:01 PM
Post #8 of 11
(2030 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
OK - That's your "static" pressure. It probably is low, smile, it doesn't somehow catch more driving around and be too full ?? So try to find the leak is the game.
Now also get used to your gauges they are NOT all the same as what I may be used to. I can lock my gauges and walk away from the vehicle or make both read either side.
Don't ask - some S/O stuff was made unrealistically well.
Leaks: While here look for oil evidence is the give-a-way where it can't be there by mistake. Condenser stains and find the drip spot/tube for the evap. and stick a Q-Tip in it if oily OMG get an air sickness bag (about now Boeing would give you one) that's nasty, you'll puke alright when you see how hard those are.
From there a sniffer or also check the dang ports with caps off with soap and water! Sniffers vary how and when you get slow leakers not usually worth buying one IDK right now the going costs.
Just whatever you do, do NOT overcharge the thing! No crap just pure 134a or if this is the other I don't do those meaning 1234yf I'm too old to take on more from what I know if that you are in trouble to dealer only probably forever but plead IDK at all I would touch those myself at this point,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 17, 2019, 1:18 PM
Post #9 of 11
(2016 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Dodge Charger Fluctuating A/C Guage Readings
|
Sign In
|
|
You can add dye in the process of the evacuate and recharge. You need to charge it at least once to get an idea how long it will last so you can know how serious the leak is. If it lasts say, a year, it would be a very slow leak.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
