13 CASCADIA A/C NOT WORKING BUT COMPRESSOR ENGAGES (2024)

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Tcbtowing, Mar 30, 2023.

  1. Mar 30, 2023#1

    TcbtowingBobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2018
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    Hello,

    First off truck is a 2013 Freightliner CASCADIA with a sleeper. I cannot figure out why I wont get cold air from the truck. Compressor was installed about 6 months ago with a new dryer. Everything worked fine then developed a leak a couple of weeks later on one of the hoses that lead to the condenser. I replaced that had system recharged but it did not work. As it was cooler weather I did not pursue problem and left as is during winter.

    I spent so much servicing my trucks I bought an ac recovery machine and just started trying to get it going. Evacuated everything tested for leaks and it held pressure. So I filled it up. No cold air. Figured might be the Expansion valve so I switched the one by the firewall. Vacuumed refilled still no ac. The compressor does engage but I don’t think any of the Freon is circulating. The low pressure side hose where you fill does not get cold. The high pressure side does get cold all the way to the condenser. When the compressor engages it never cycles off and the engine fan never turns on. I do have a Manual switch and tried turning it on see if it would help but still no cold air. Dealership told me it took 3.25lb of Freon that’s what I did the first time. Second time tried 4 lb as I saw that as common for these trucks neither worked. No matter the amount of Freon I put since it doesn’t circulate the pressure I show on the low side is 75 and on the high side around 70. I have no leaks I don’t know where else to look last thing I can think of is the expansion valve under the cab for the bunk. (Bunk doesn’t blow cold either).
    Any idea why the compressor engages but does not cycle the Freon? Could it be the evaporator coils? I have also tried resetting the ac system by pressing the ac buttons and it does it I hear the system doing its thing but still no cold air. Is there a possibility that a line is clogged? I am at a loss right now and have tried everything. Will appreciate any advice or ideas. Thank you.

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    #1

  2. 13 CASCADIA A/C NOT WORKING BUT COMPRESSOR ENGAGES (2)

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  3. Mar 30, 2023#2

    JB7Medium Load Member

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    Dec 13, 2022
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    Low side should be around 35 and high over 200. Make sure you use the correct refrigerant. Make sure the compressor clutch is engaging. The part with the pulley and belt always turns. The clutch is between the pulley and compressor. Given your pressures being about the same it sounds like the compressor clutch is not engaging.

    JB7,Mar 30, 2023

    JB7,Mar 30, 2023

    #2

  4. Mar 30, 2023#3

    TcbtowingBobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2018
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    Thank you for the reply. It’s definitely engaging. Turn the ac button off and it stops spinning and when I flip it on it begins to spin. Refrigerant is R134. I’ve done ac work plenty of times. Usually can find the problem but compressor seems to be working correctly I just feel as if the refrigerant is stuck somewhere. It does not circulate thru out the entire system. I’m going to replace the dryer today see if that helps when I do that I’ll disconnect every line and see if there is any obstruction. I am out of ideas.

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    #3

  5. Mar 30, 2023#4

    JB7Medium Load Member

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    13 CASCADIA A/C NOT WORKING BUT COMPRESSOR ENGAGES (6)

    13 CASCADIA A/C NOT WORKING BUT COMPRESSOR ENGAGES (7)

    Symptoms of a bad AC compressor
    • Low and high side pressures are about the same (like 80-psi low side and 80-psi high side) AND you have to increase RPM quite a bit to get pressures into the normal range AND you notice the air only gets cold when you’re driving AND you’ve ruled out a low refrigerant charge or bad orifice tube/expansion valve.

    JB7,Mar 30, 2023

    JB7,Mar 30, 2023

    #4

    QUALITYTRUCK Thanks this.

  6. Mar 30, 2023#5

    TcbtowingBobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2018
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    That is extremely helpful! Thank you for that.

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    Tcbtowing,Mar 30, 2023

    #5

  7. Apr 5, 2023#6

    TcbtowingBobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2018
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    Just wanted to update. I didn’t want to risk doing the job more than once so I went ahead and replaced the dryer and compressor vacuumed and filled it up. Ac blew cold after. I’m not sure what was the culprit. I’m pretty sure it was the dryer because the compressor did engage. I’m just glad it’s all working now. Thanks for your help and your diagrams they gave me a better understanding.

    Tcbtowing,Apr 5, 2023

    Tcbtowing,Apr 5, 2023

    #6

    JB7 Thanks this.

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