Very high high side AC pressure

[ZimaConnoisseur]

I've got an 03 Wrangler with the 2.4L 4 cylinder. Last summer the AC was working fine. Very recently I noticed that I no longer get cold air through the vents so I plugged in some AC system gauges.

With the engine cold starting on a 60F day, I turn the AC on and the high side immediately climbs to 500 psi and then the compressor clutch disengages.

I don't think it's an issue of airflow over the condenser because I don't get any cold air while driving even when it's not that hot out (around 60F).

The condenser itself looks ok. No very damaged fins (the car does have 180k mi on it so there's a few bent fins here and there). Has anyone run into a similar issue?

 

[Rickyd]

Clogged orifice where the liquid is supposed to go from a liquid to a gas? Or some other blockage. I would unplug the ac clutch until you get a bag of orings/seals and the proper oil to lube them with. Then start taking apart stuff and see where the restriction is

 

[ZimaConnoisseur]

Clogged orifice where the liquid is supposed to go from a liquid to a gas? Or some other blockage. I would unplug the ac clutch until you get a bag of orings/seals and the proper oil to lube them with. Then start taking apart stuff and see where the restriction is

Yeah that's my thought as well.

 

[CharlesHS]

There is an obstruction in the expansion orifice, but that may be caused by moisture or non condensables in the system when someone added refrigerant without burping the manifold lines.
If you are going to crack the system open; you will need a vacuum pump to pull a vacuum to purge the moisture out of the system prior to adding refrigerant.
Unless you have worked on A/C system previously or have a friend that is knowledgeable; I would recommend you find a technician to help you.