Hi all, maybe somebody can help me out.

We have a 2.5 crd of 06/08/2003 with a simple "on/off" airco.
The airco clutch seems to engage. When I switch the airco to "on" I can see that the compressor starts spinning and vice versa. However the air is not cooled, and I can't tell the difference in engine sound at idle with airco on or off.

This is the history of the car:
- We have the car for about 5 years now.
- The first few months the airco has worked, but then it stopped,
- The last time it was refilled with freon, it was empty in a few days. a leak in the condensor was suspected.,
- We have driven around since then untill a few weeks ago,
- Last week I replaced the condensor en dryer/filter, we had the system tested for leaks (no leaksdetected) and filled it up with feon.
- The airco specialist says that either the compressor is defective or a valve in it might be stuck. The compressor does not generate any pressure.

Before I exchange the compressor, are there any things that I could still try?

 

Take it to a professional, and have them give you pressure readings.

A stuck open expansion valve will give the EXACT SAME indications as a failed compressor.

With that said, Air conditioning work is in no way a DIY Task. Cold air is not worth your eyesight if something were to go wrong.

 

Thanks! I will locate the expansion valve and check whatever I can. Obviously I will not fiddle with pressurized components, now that the system is filled with freon.

To clarify: I already went to a specialist, he did a vacuum test and filled the system. Also UV-dye has been added. The recommendation has been to wait a few weeks, just in case the system decides starts working again by itself, and if not, to bring the car in for replacement of the compressor.

Back to the expansion valve:
Should I expect to here a clicking sound of some sort when I swith on/off the airco?
If yes, can one reproduce this sound with contact on, but engine not running.

 

I tried to locate the expansion valve, but I am not sure that it is in sight.
The people from the airco service station told me that the shaft in the AC compressor is probably broken, as this is a weak spot in this Chrysler model.

I found an interesting clip on youtube that shows how the compressor works:

Can't imagine that much can go wrong with these. Has anybody ever heard of a broken shaft in an airco compressor?

 

Can you hear the compressor clutch engaging when you turn on the AC? This part is driven by one of the accessory belts an the clutch is activated by a solenoid automatically. Once engaged, you will also hear the engine change noise due to extra load. Depending on problem, compressor can be services... search youtube and google for compressor kit.