My sister in law has a 99 olds Intrigue, the a/c started blowing warm the other day so I hooked the gauges (134a) up and the low side was about 82, high side about 205 with outside temp of about 88-90F. The compressor is running. She said it started about 4 days ago.
Any suggestions? The radiator and a/c coils look clean.
Thanks,

 

I think Hot? mentioned to someone else yesterday that you have to make sure the radiator fan is going, for one thing.

 

Both fans are running, all air dams are in place, good air flow thru radiator and condenser.

 

You could have a problem with your blend door. How does the temperature of the "cooled" air compare to the ambient temp?

 

I unhooked the bat to reset everything... I can hear the blend door moving and the temp changes with the dial. I'm thinking orfice, acculmator, or compressor, but just don't know.

 

sounds like the compressor is probably going bad from your description not a whole lot of pressure differential there, your low side will generally run lower between 40-50 psi and your high side will usually be a little higher, the pressures may get better at a higher rpm and shutting it off until the pressures equalize and see how long it takes them to get back to your original readings may help you determine compressor failure a good compressor will be at normal high and low side pressure within 5-10 seconds of running most any shop will change the accumulator and orfice anytime the compressor is changed to eliminate the possibility of damaging the new compressor.

 

sounds like the reed valve on the back of the compressor is failing.........Low side pressure should be a round 35-45 psi to get proper cooling..........Bejay pretty much covered it

 

Thanks,
That's my thought also, but these newer vehicles are so cramped, it's not like working on an old 80's pickup truck...... I knew the pressure should be down in the 30's-low40's but wanted someone elses take on the issue.
Thanks again, I guess she will have to spend $300 on a comp.

 

The air conditioning on my cars has typically gone around 6-8 years of age. If you get more than that out of them, consider yourself lucky. On a 1999, I'd just go for the natural A/C until scrapping it. They tend to be expensive to fix and then just after you've fixed one prob, another develops. If another vehicle is available just avoid driving the one without A/C on really hot days. Just my 2 cents.