QuestionDavid,, I have the same problem as Joe with the 2000 posted on 06/29.
Q: I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 with an air condition problem. The air conditioner works great when you ...
A: Joe, As much as I hate answering a question with another question, I need a little bit of ...
the clutch engages the first time I turn the AC on. as long as I leave the AC on the clutch stays engaged at idle or if I stay under 30mpg. once I shut the AC off or exeed 30 the clutch disengages and will not engage again until the engine cools off. I don't have a condenser fan motor that I can find and the main fan appears to be ok. I can give you the low side reading tomorrow but I don't have a gauge for the high side. a couple other things I've noticed 1)I seem to recall the clutch cycling from time to time even when the heat was on I no longer here that. 2) the clutch relay gets to hot to touch after its been running awhile,, I swapped that with the same results. thanks in advance for your help.
AnswerJoe,
What's going on with these Dodges? The older models are about the best trucks on the road.
Ok, if your A/C clutch relay is still heating up, after replacing it with a new one, then there is something causing a major draw on it. There is only one thing in your A/C that can cause that kind of a draw. Your clutch itself. It may be on the verge of going out. I replaced two of them this past weekend, one on a Grand Cherokee, and one on a Voyager that were doing the same thing.
Now most shops wont replace just the clutch on compressors anymore. Many do not have the tools, and it is more so a pain in the butt, so the cost would end up being the same as, if not more than, replacing the entire compressor. The compressors themself range from 180-500 bucks. If you are mechanically inclined, It may be cheaper to just have the shop recover the refrigerant, you do the replacement, and have them evacuate the system and charge it back up. If you decide to do it yourself, make certain that you put oil in the compressor before installing it. The label will state that it has an ICE lubricant inside it already. This is just an assembly lubricant. DO NOT drain this. Add whatever it requires (typically 2-4 ounces) through the low side inlet before mounting the manifold back on. Most all R134a systems use an ester oil, but check the refrigerant label in the engine compartment.
As for you hearing the clutch cycle when the heat was on. This is normal. It will engage when the defroster is on, merely to keep the shaft seal in the front of the compressor lubricated so that it does not dry out and leak. And if you could not find a condensor fan in the front of your truck, then that is fine, it just means that your clutch fan for the radiator is doing the pulling of the air through the condensor. Some trucks have the additional fan, some dont.
I hope I was able to help out a little, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I recommend you replace your compressor. And while the system is free of refrigerant it would be a good idea to replace your receiver drier also. That is just good housekeeping. Thank you for the question and good luck in everything.
