A/C blows hot air

[ahenkel]

2001 Dodge Caravan.

Cliffs from what i know so far

Belts OK
Fuses OK
Refrigerant is low enough that compressor won't kick on so Refill kit won't work
Chilton's manual says to short compressor on, found how to do that and did that compressor comes on briefly but causes engine to die engine dies.
Car doesn't stay on long enough to listen to compressor to hear if it sounds defective.

Is there any way to determine if I have a bad compressor or if the problem lies elsewhere

thanks for the help

 

[drnickriviera]

If kicking on the compressor causes the engine to die, i'd say that compressor is gone.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
If kicking on the compressor causes the engine to die, i'd say that compressor is gone.

I agree, if you're compressor is putting enough of a drag on your engine that it dies it sounds like your compressor has kicked the bucket.

 

[ahenkel]

I had figured it might be that, well guess it's time for a new one.

Thanks

 

[alkemyst]

Could be the idle control.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
If kicking on the compressor causes the engine to die, i'd say that compressor is gone.

Winner, pick your prize.

But it could be also that the system is OVER FILLED, as the op said it wont take a charge, meaning for some reason hes been filling it up every now and then.

I suggest to op is thet you press the nipple down, keep the ac in the on position by switch NOT shortening it, and I bet anything once the level comes down the ac will start to kick in again, withoiut killing the car because its trying to compress a SHIT load of freon.

If this doesnt work, then YES, the compressor is dead. And never fill it with the freon/sealent, that the worse stuff to keep putting in your system.