99 Cobra AC Problems

Lo Pony

Founding Member
Apr 28, 2002
495
0
16
Atlanta, GA
Hi All - been a while since I posted here. Greetings again.

My 99 SVT has AC problems, and this is not a good time to have them here in Alabammy where it's 105 in the shade!

Basically, the system has been charged with 3 cans of R134 refrigerant (55psi), and the compressor "short cycles" when the engine is first started. This is accompanied by some noise and what appears to be a lot of stress on the engine belt - this latter phenomenon just started occurring, and concerns me most.

Once it has run for a few minutes, the compressor remains engaged, but does not blow cold air. The refrigerant lines are "slightly cool", but not what I would expect.

Suggestions welcome.
 
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First, there is, or should be, a label on the radiator area that states the amount of refrigerant to use. Second, I think you may have over-charged it. Did you check the pressures with a manifold gauge? My '01 calls for 32 oz of refrigerant TOTAL. Did you have any refrigerant in it to begin with before you added the three cans?

If you are overcharged, then the high pressure cut-off switch may be engaging to prevent system damage.

And, if you were low on refrigerant, did you find out where the leak occurred? Mine was the front seal of the compressor and it is easier to buy a new compressor (which is what I did) than to change out that front seal.

Good luck....