AC Clutch not engaging

Hello all,

I recently worked up the courage to work on my ac that hasn't worked in the 10yrs I have owned my 2004 4.7L Tundra.

I just replaced the condenser as the old one had a hole in it. I was going through the steps of recharging the system and once it was time for the compressor to kick on, it wouldn't.

I have looked at the related fuses:
Htr and the AC fuses- they're in good order
I have looked at the related heater relay.- it works
I checked for voltage at the compressor and didn't have any.
I checked for voltage upon startup on the 3pin connection on the compressor and it never got any

During this whole time the light on the AC button stayed solid green. In trying to force the condenser to engage the light no longer lights up. I may have screwed that up somehow.

As the compressor isn't receiving voltage I'm assuming the problem is upstream.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

You replaced the condenser and your Compressor isn't working?

 

That's correct.

I kept using the word condenser when I meant compressor.

 

The compressor will not run until the refrigerant pressure is high enough to close the pressure switch. Did you replace the dryer and evacuate the system before you added the refrigerant?

 

The dryer was replaced.
I pulled a vacuum and checked for leaks.

After adding the refrigerant the pressure got above 50psi.
After watching videos I was expecting the low pressure side to drop once the compressor kicked on and then the high pressure side to increase in pressure. This never happened.

At what pressure does the pressure switch close?

 

how many lbs of refrigerant did you put in?

also what was the initial reason for replacing the compressor? Your replies are kind of confusing. Your replaced the condensor because it had a hole? But now you're saying you meant to say compressor?

 

Sorry for the confusion.
I replaced my condenser. My compressor is not working. But it may have never worked.

I added as much as the vacuumed system would suck up. It was about 14oz before the system equalized.

 

14oz is about 0.875lbs. So you're under charged. You will need to reset a vacuum and recharge with the proper amount of 134a

Stay clear away from the max lbs #. That leads to compressor failure you'll be replacing EVERYTHING. In my opinion 1.1lbs or 17.6oz would be ideal. But it seems like you're. Or using a machine? Good luck

 

I agree the system is under charged.

The video that I watched indicated that the compressor is supposed to kick on and suck the rest of the refrigerant out.

https://youtu.be/Pdq8JAlct6s?si=5F9T5GVdTUK8D3FN

 

Most systems won't kick on w/o the proper amount of refrigerant and oil. It's to keep the compressor from killing itself

 

Although in many systems, you can jumper things to get it to kick on. I would only do it (and have only done it) for the sake of troubleshooting. But ...

 

I tried to jumper it just so see if the compressor head would rotate, but I'm not sure I did it right because nothing happened.

How have you jumpered it before?

 

Sorry for the thread drift.
Apologies to @Thegman001

Not to interrupt the thread but since I've got some A/C guys here:
On my 2014, for about the last 6 years, something either doesn't engage or interrupts the compressor or A/C clutch.
It happens very randomly, it will go days/weeks/months without a problem.
But if it does it on a given day, it will usually happen several times that day.
It can cut off anywhere between 3 seconds and 15 minutes.
When it happens the AC clutch disengages.
When the A/C runs, it cold as when new.
You can certainly feel the difference in the air flow if the compressor is on or not.

What makes it come back on 99% of time:
Driving quickly over parking lot speed bump or good sized bump in the road, giving the truck a good jolt.
Shut down and restart, doesn't always fix it.
If I'm on the highway, slip it into natural, and rev the engine to 5K a few times, it sometimes kicks back in..

I addressed this several times with the dealership when I was still under my ext warranty, but they couldn't replicate the problem.
They always said they checked the A/C system out and it was fine.
I actually believe them because it happens so randomly.

I had a thread 4 years ago but it didn't get much traction..
AC cuts out (blows warm air) for a few seconds sometimes. | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

Could the clutch be going bad?
I'd like to fix it before summer gets here.
TIA..