A/C PROBLEM
 

I have installed a new compressor, dryer, filter, orifice tube, and have a fully charged system. Diconnected neg battery cable to clear codes and reset switches. The system pumps cold air for about 10 minutes (AUTO mode), then swithces over to ECON mode and stops the cold air (service a/c light comes on). For a second time, I disconnected the neg cable. It ran fine for the same period of time, and then repeats the cycle from AUTO to ECON (service a/c light comes). Could the problem be a faulty pressure switch on the dryer? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks very much.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

next time the code is set try read the codes via the auto warm buttens if you have a digital dash.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I do have a digital dash. I am not familiar with reading the codes. Is this something that should be done before I disconnect the battery and try the a/c again. This is the first time I have had a problem of this nature with it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

Just an update....been living with the problem going on 2 weeks. Air runs ice cold--when it runs. System is fully charged and has new components. Sometimes runs for several days, no problems. Then "service a/c" light comes in the service center on the dash. Air automatically switches into "Econ mode" meaning no cold air. I disconnect the negative battery cable, and reconnect--resetting the system. Cold air returns, very nice, and runs for severals before going through the routine again. I'm nervous about taking this to a "shop". Half the time they do not know what they are doing -- it is usually trial and error, which I can do at a fraction of the cost. If anyone has had an experience like this, I would really appreciate some guidance. Thanks in advance.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

There are many things it could be. You need to do some checking first.
Without knowing what code is set i can't tell you which direction to go. How about guage readings? Outlet temps?
Is it a restriction in the system, cooling fan not working right, bad sensor, which one, bad control head and on and on and on.

If you want to fix it yourself a factory service manual is where you need to start.
This will usually at least get you going in the right direction.

A caddy dealer should at least tell you whats wrong for an hour diag charge.
I've had older cars come in that had thousands of dollars spent on them only to find a loose wire or $30 failed part.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

Thanks kindly for your reply and help. I am shopping now for a service manual. I have had several mention that the codes can be displayed on my digital dash. I am not familiar with this, in order to know how to process it. Can you give me some guidance. Many thanks for your assistance.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

It depends on what year your car is.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

1992 Cadillac Deville, front wheel drive,.....thanks.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

A/C control panel. Hold Off and Warmer at the same time.
IIRC '92 still used E and F codes, but i could be wrong. E was engine and F was body,A/C ect. F42 was very low refrigernt, the most common of A/C codes.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

I've been able to retrieve the following codes: E52, E91, F47. Any ideas from these codes would be appreciated.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

F47, thats the low refrigerant code. I should have known that one.
Problem is it can be a few things other than being low on freon.
The sensor that detects this is just past the orifce tube.
It is quite common for a compressor to fail and contaminate the entire system with metal shavings.
After all new parts are put on it works good for awhile until the shavings migrate through the lines and collect on the o-tube.
It gets plugged up and creates a low pressure condition on the other side. The sensor sees this as low freon.
Also you could have a bad sensor or a computer problem. By the description of your symptoms I would pull down the system and check the o-tube for blockage.
Also an overcharge of oil will do the same thing. If oil just pours out the line when the o-tube is pulled a system flush is probably in order.
If neither of these concerns are present then recharge the system and procede with the sensor/ circuit diag.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

E52 just means the battery has been disconnected. I don't remember E91 ,I have the chart at work.
E91 PNDL switch problem.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

are you using R134 or R12?
If R134 this may be your problem under certin contions the 134R trigers the computer to say the A/C presure is out of range R12 seem to be the fix at this time however a full flush may be need.

RE: A/C PROBLEM
 

I you upgrade you A/C to R134 I have bad news for you.
You may need to start over flush every thing and go back to R12 it appears to be a problem in some cadies with digital dash the pressure switch gets fake out by the R134 gas and set a code long story short.