Caravan A/C problems

Greg K · Jun 23, 2012

Going on a little vacation Monday and the A/C in my 2005 Caravan is acting up. It must have a small leak in it since I had it charged last year and needed it again this year. Now it has lost the charge again it seems. I bought one of those cheap(waste of money) recharge kits that you only can hook up to the low pressure side. The guage says it is all charged. the problem is the compressor will not kick in, I jumped it and it will kick on if hot-wired, but not with the controls, even with the defrost on. The fuse is good and I exchanged the relay with one that I knew was good. I don't know anything beyond the basics about air conditioners (obviously) what am I missing here?

John730D · Jun 23, 2012

If the system is properly charged, your low pressure switch is bad. It will not allow the pump to kick on if you are low on freon. Should be able to locate it on the low pressure line between the evaporator and the compressor. You can bypass the switch to see if it is bad. You will have to recharge the system to replace the switch.

Bob M · Jun 23, 2012

I had similar problems with my wife's '90 Voyager. Turned out the low side pressure switch (provided to stop the compressor the compressor if suction pressure drops too low) had failed open.

Quick fix was to simply bypass the low side switch. It's not the "correct" solution - but it got the A/C system working again. (It worked several years and was still cooling when I traded the car...)

wisbaker · Jun 23, 2012

Do you have rear air? They had a batch that got out with bad rear evaporators or piping, they corrode and then leak. Chrysler had an extended warranty on them but I don't know for how long or if they shed that liability in the BK. Ours went out during the 3 year/36,000 mile window.

Greg K · Jun 23, 2012

I have rear air, and the last time it was charged (2 months ago) they said that was where it was leaking. moneys kinda tight now so I thought I would see how fast it leaks before fixing it. (once a year, then in two months) Looks like it's time to fix it. they say you have to replace the lines front to rear and that's kinda spendy.

BushogPapa · Jun 23, 2012

Some A/C systems are quite sensitive and will kick the compressor OUT if even slightly Over-Charged..
Our '98 Honda is like that..over 50 (Running) on the low-side and it will stop working.. but needs 40 to Kick-in..
Charging from the Low-Side works just Fine...you sometimes just need to have a pot of hot water handy..
There are cans with "Stop Leak" in with the freon..

Ron..

DoubleR · Jun 23, 2012

My 07 went bad last year. It was leaking in the rear and they wanted 800 bucks to fix it. I called the dealer and they did it under warranty. They had a rash of problems with them and Chrysler was fixing them for no charge. I would give a dealer a call and check. Mine had 60,000 miles and I was the second owner.

Caravan A/C problems

Greg K

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John730D

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Bob M

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wisbaker

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Greg K

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BushogPapa

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DoubleR

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