2012 RAM 1500 Sport A/C on - Air from vents warm - Compressor off

[Fatitud]

The A/C on my 2012 RAM 1500 4X4 Sport Crew was working great as usual yesterday when I parked in the driveway at the end of day. This morning the compressor is not coming on, the vents are blowing warm air, and there's a "sweet' odor from the vents. Also, there's dark but dry stain on the driveway under where the front of engine is. The local shop where I started taking my truck since the dealership started showing disdain for scheduling and servicing if over the last couple of visits is pressure testing the system but believes it's likely that the evaporator coil has failed and leaked. My question is this. If the evaporator coil fails and leaks, doesn't the refrigerant exit out a drain fitting through the firewall into the engine compartment? Could it be something other than a failed evaporator coil?
I'm the original owner of this truck which now has 140K miles and has been trouble free throughout. I've been very conscientious about the routine services since the beginning, ie. oil/filter changes every 5K, brakes/discs, tires, coolant flushes, differential oils, etc., etc. I don't know what yet what the cost will be to repair but I'm thinking it'll be worth it since the exterior and the leather interior are still immaculate. What do you all think?

 

[04fxdwgi]

Compressor not engaging is usually a sign of low gas (or the high head switch being bad). The low gas says there is a leak and the most common causes, that I have found during repairs, is usually a bad o-ring on a fitting, the schreider valve leaking, a damaged condenser coil or leaking hose. Only found one evap coil leaking over the years, thankfully, cause they are a PITA to change.

 

[jawzs2]

Refrigerant leaking will not leave a stain or trace anywhere, in liquid form it turns into a gas at somewhere below 0 degrees F, I think -10 or -15. That stain "could" be refrigerant oil, one of the lines, connectors, or from the compressor, you should be able to determine that with a visual inspection.

 

[Grams]

I had a 2012 also…and on rare occasion…it would stop cooling, compressor not “on”. Turning the AC (push button…the compressor switch…not the power ) switch OFF and then back ON would immediately restore cooling.

I believe it to be a case of a “tired of being constantly “on” relay…which merely needed exercise. (i.e. likely tarnish-contaminated relay or switch-contacts)

Hope this helps.

 

[Fastlane85395]

The A/C on my 2012 RAM 1500 4X4 Sport Crew was working great as usual yesterday when I parked in the driveway at the end of day. This morning the compressor is not coming on, the vents are blowing warm air, and there's a "sweet' odor from the vents. Also, there's dark but dry stain on the driveway under where the front of engine is. The local shop where I started taking my truck since the dealership started showing disdain for scheduling and servicing if over the last couple of visits is pressure testing the system but believes it's likely that the evaporator coil has failed and leaked. My question is this. If the evaporator coil fails and leaks, doesn't the refrigerant exit out a drain fitting through the firewall into the engine compartment? Could it be something other than a failed evaporator coil?
I'm the original owner of this truck which now has 140K miles and has been trouble free throughout. I've been very conscientious about the routine services since the beginning, ie. oil/filter changes every 5K, brakes/discs, tires, coolant flushes, differential oils, etc., etc. I don't know what yet what the cost will be to repair but I'm thinking it'll be worth it since the exterior and the leather interior are still immaculate. What do you all think?

Sound like failed leaking compressor or ruptured hose