I tried to charge my A/C system last night. I hooked the nozzle up, and the gauge said it was on the low side of the normal range. I added to it until I was at the high side of the normal range. The compressor kicks on and off like I have read it is supposed to do. A few seconds on, a few seconds off. However, I have no cold air whatsoever. Where should I go from here?

"The compressor kicks on and off like I have read it is supposed to do. A few seconds on, a few seconds off."

What is the Low Side pressure when running? The compressor should cycle when Low side is between 23±1.5psi and 45±2psi.

The book says if the compressor cycling is within those pressure specs, "but at closer intervals than normal...system contains too little refrigerant. Top off with 450 grams..."

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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

It would be nice to have some history of any past repairs.

As Jorrell say's, there appears to be a restriction between the two coil sets.

A manifold gauge set is in order here. So you can check the high and low side for flow.

The reason for history is to know if the system has ever been opened up for repairs.

This is a balanced system. Everything is measured to get proper quantities in the right places! The previous expansion valve systems allowed you leeway on charging.

Too much oil or refrigerant charge can cause problems.

Oil plugging. Excessive oil migration and laying in the lines is one.

Overcharging either one can leave no place for the movement of gas.

Excessive moisture or air in there. Orifice freezing. Anything that can happen along the way of an opened system.

Changing a compressor without cleaning the system is a big no-no.

Worst case scenario. Previous or now a bad compressor, as Jorrell mentions.

Where should you go from here?
Get a gauge set and weight scale, or get away. You are not going to get it right until you can see inside. No sight glasses allowed here.

Like trying to diagnose battery charging system without a voltmeter!

Good Luck, Phil

Since your car has the GM style AC system, the first question is if the compressor is growling. If yes, the compressor is starting to come apart internally. If that is the case, the reason its not cooling is that the orifice tube is plugged up. I had this issue on our 92 with the same GM system.

If the compressor is not growling, there is still a good chance the orifice tube is plugged up and this will cause the system not to cool.

The orifice tube is located inside the black metal tube that runs along the passenger side frame rail. With the tube removed from the car, it took me about an hour to get the orifice out of the tube, I wound up having to drill it out followed by picking out the pieces.

jorrell

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92 245 278K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Agree, the expansion orifice is a great little debris catcher and the place to look. Unfortunately, there goes your refrigerant charge.

When the A/C is off, but the temp control is set to cold, do you have hot air coming out of the vents anyway? Maybe your heater is fighting the A/C.

My compressor runs for more than a couple of seconds, by the way. It should run for a few minutes at a time and not cycle off until the system 'knows' you're getting cold air. Are you sure your pressure gauge is accurate and you've added enough coolant?

If your compressor is only running a few seconds you have other issues still. It should stay on as long as it needs to to cool the car down then begin to cycle on and off. Usually low pressure is the first reason it does not stay on