2001 Mazda tribute ES: AC not providing any cold air. Compressor will engage (and stay engaged) when I jumper out low pressure switch, but still no cold air. I reconnected pressure switch and charged system and am reading about 47 psi on low pressure side without AC turned on. When I turn on AC now, compressor engages but quickly disengages after about 1.5 to 2 secs - the disengagement corresponds with low pressure side dropping to about 26 psi (appears low pressure switch is kicking it off which Mazda book says occurs at 22-28 psi). After clutch disengages, low pressure side builds back up and when it reaches about 43 psi (takes about 4-5 secs) the compressor clutch briefly re-engages (Mazda book says clutch re-engages at 40-47 psi). And then the whole cycle continually repeats. Do you think I have line blockage at perhaps orifice tube that may be restricting flow? Also next day, low side pressure will be quite a bit lower (with AC turned off)……thinking I may also have a refrigerant leak…..Any other ideas or recommendations? thanks

 

i'd assume not enough charge...
if you have a leak, fix that first. I think the compressor seal is most likely (only moving part). But it could be one of the valve cores on the high / low pressure connections too.

They sell stop leak sort of stuff, as well as leak detector kits. The stop leak I think just softens the seals - similar to the oil stop leak stuff, so it's a one time fix that will probably just degrade the seal so you need to replace it next year - but it's worth a try.
In any case, to fix it you need to have the system vacuumed out, which would get any of the remaining sealant stuff out for a new compressor - if that's what's needed.
Good luck.

 

Mark,
Did you ever resolve this ac compressor issue?

The EXACT same thing is going on with my 2001 Tribute ES with the same low side pressure readings you were getting. The compressor clutch runs for 1 second after the pressure is at 45 for about 10 seconds, then clutch stops spinning and pressure drops. Pressure builds over about 10 seconds to 45 and the cycle repeats.

Is there a pressure sensor that is bad?