A/C won't work after being turned off for a short time

06lj

06lj

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My Jeep has been mostly parked for the last 3 years. Recently I replaced the gears and I worked on the 500 mile break in. During this time the weather started to warm up and I tried to switch on the AC. At first I had slightly cool air and I figured after being parked for so long I might have lost some refrigerant. I added some from a parts store A/C recharge bottle and it started blowing cold again. I've take it out on some short drives and it will blow cold until I shut it off for a couple of minutes, like when getting gas. When I restart it the compressor does not come on at all. I don't think it is low on refrigerant as it shows about 100psi on both the low and high side when sitting. When I turn it on and the compressor is working it shows 45psi on the low side and 290psi on the high side with an ambient temperature of 93 degrees. I am assuming that the compressor is just worn out but know very little about AC. I'd figured I'd see if anybody has some insights before I start tossing parts at it.
 
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The problem could be a bad LP or HP cutout switch (screwed in line) or possibly the clutch solenoid gets too hot after shutting off and does not engage until it cools off.
IF you are good with a digital multi meter when this problem occurs you can measure across the LP and HP cutout switch to see if there is or isn't continuity and IF there is 12V going to the compressor clutch solenoid.
 
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CharlesHS said:
The problem could be a bad LP or HP cutout switch (screwed in line) or possibly the clutch solenoid gets too hot after shutting off and does not engage until it cools off.
IF you are good with a digital multi meter when this problem occurs you can measure across the LP and HP cutout switch to see if there is or isn't continuity and IF there is 12V going to the compressor clutch solenoid.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. I will have to get out my multimeter and do some investigating.
 
CharlesHS said:
Compressor clutch
Click to expand...
If the clutch itself becomes worn or the gap is excessive the clutch characteristically will engage when cold but as it heats up the gap gets too big and the compressor coil can’t engage the clutch plate. Another thing to consider on top of the harness issue CharlesHS has experienced. I believe if you insert a feeler gauge in the compressor clutch you should be somewhere between.350 - .550 when not engaged. It may vary + or - in this model
 
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