Air Conditioner lines freeze - why ??

[CREWZIN]

quintas,

That's perfect. Great write-up. So much for Chilton and Haynes Manuals that both have the same picture I posted at the beginning of this thread showing the HIGH Pressure switch on the accumulator. That's the one that caused my system to freeze up and the one they replaced (twice because of the O ring).

[TexasPriest]

Originally Posted by quintas

THE LOW PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE ACCUMULATOR HAS IT'S OWN SHRADER VALVE AND CAN BE REPLACED WITHOUT DISCHARGING THE SYSTEM. SCREW ON, SCREW OFF.

CAUTION!!
THE HIGH PRESSURE SWITCH IS UNDER PRESSURE AND HAS NO SHRADER VALVE. THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE DISCHARGED BEFORE YOU CAN REMOVE IT! (NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NOVICE'S)

Thank you for the info!!

I just talked to the service guy and he confirms it's the Low Pressure switch. They are charging me $65 for the switch and 1.5 hours labor at $160 an hour! So unless you can think of a reason why I shouldn't just change the switch myself, please let me know

Based on your post, I should be able to disconnect the switch, unscrew, screw in new switch and reconnect wires. Any further details, if needed, would be greatly appreciated.

[quintas]

As long as the switch is located on the accumulator you should be able to screw it off and screw on the new one. If you're going to re-use the exsisting oring on the threaded fitting, make sure it's not damaged. If it is,
replace it. Then reconnect the electrical plug, and your in busines!.

[TexasPriest]

Originally Posted by quintas

As long as the switch is located on the accumulator you should be able to screw it off and screw on the new one. If you're going to re-use the exsisting oring on the threaded fitting, make sure it's not damaged. If it is,
replace it. Then reconnect the electrical plug, and your in busines!.

Good Deal! Thanks Again.

I almost don't want to mess with this because ever since they diagnosed the problem, the AC has been working like it should. But i guess once a switch goes bad it just a matter of time before it acts up again.

[TexasPriest]

Originally Posted by quintas

As long as the switch is located on the accumulator you should be able to screw it off and screw on the new one. If you're going to re-use the exsisting oring on the threaded fitting, make sure it's not damaged. If it is,
replace it. Then reconnect the electrical plug, and your in busines!.

OK, one more question. Is this the part?

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection | Year

[calflan]

TP - That looks to be it.
I actually went and got the earlier posted switch - HP switch which was at O'Reilly. It was obviously the wrong switch, installed with a snap ring rather than threaded into the top of the Accumulator. This IS in fact the HP switch installed on the back of the compressor.

Quintas, great post, clears things up a bunch through all these threads. I wondered how the HP switch could cause the lines to freeze without in fact causing the system to rupture.

TP - I would say that IS in fact also what the dealer wants to charge you to change, although I can't imagine why they'd charge that labor cost. Seems to be a faily easil accessible area and if the switch does in fact just screw on and off, no need for much more than 30 minutes. I wonder if they are charging to vacuum and recharge the system after they're done. The parts price does make sense as well. Autozone charging $30 would translate to a Chrysler direct part eing in excess of $55.

O'Reilly parts could not find the switch in their system. They told mne I'd have to go to Chrysler for it.

Thanks all.

[slartyblarfast]

Originally Posted by TexasPriest

Thank you for the info!!

I just talked to the service guy and he confirms it's the Low Pressure switch. They are charging me $65 for the switch and 1.5 hours labor at $160 an hour! So unless you can think of a reason why I shouldn't just change the switch myself, please let me know

Based on your post, I should be able to disconnect the switch, unscrew, screw in new switch and reconnect wires. Any further details, if needed, would be greatly appreciated.

160 an hour? Holy.... Wow! Our dealership only charges $100 an hour. Where are you going?

[TexasPriest]

Originally Posted by slartyblarfast

160 an hour? Holy.... Wow! Our dealership only charges $100 an hour. Where are you going?

Dallas F**king Dodge

[outfit]

man alot of info here, to bad this was not up when it went out on my wife. Of coarse it happened when I was layed up in the hospital with a lower back fusion... So just to confirm..... this has no pressure , it can be unscrewed , replacing the o rings and then screwed in. Without having to take it in to a dealership or auto mechanic and have them use a sand paper "glove" on you........ Just want to make sure because my wife is going to get her mechanic on......

[slartyblarfast]

Originally Posted by TexasPriest

Dallas F**king Dodge

Was it 160 an hour or 160 for the entire repair? $160 an hour is EXTREMELY excessive.