Air Conditioning problem

[Duster]

My AC seemed to slow down a little on cooling. Then today it just stopped. I thought no problem... went to the store and got a recharge kit, etc. Hooked it up to the low side and pressure reads real high. Press the trigger and it goes to zero.

Compressor is not kicking in?

I read about jumpering the low pressure switch connector which is back by the firewall. I put a paper clip in it. It seems to act like it was going to kick in, but doesn't?

What I mean is the motor seems to shutter as if it starts to engage for just a second?

I thought maybe freon was low and this would cause the compressor to cycle and I would be able to get some in. But it isn't working.

I am stumped! Help!

 

[Duster]

Well great... thought I found the problem... blown mini fuse... as these seem to blow easy in the jeep to me... it was the one in the box under the hood for the A/C clutch. Replaced it and it popped.

For the heck of it I put a higher amp fuse in there just to see what I could figure out if anything... and found the bigger problem.

Apparently the A/C clutch is bad? Or the compressor is too hard to turn? Because with the higher amp fuse in there it tried real hard to cycle. I could see the clutch working and slipping until it popped the fuse.

I don't know a thing about this stuff. Don't know if it is the clutch or the compressor, or if the clutch is even replaceable... and if I have to buy a whole compressor I don't know if this is the kind of job you can just take a day and make a DIY job? I am thinking it may not be something you can just replace and recharge with 134a from the parts store and roll.

Let me know. If so I will tackle it and replace whatever needs replacing.