A/C issue

[Chad Lalande]

My a/c comes on but I don’t get cold air, it’s just kind of meh. The a/c clutch engages, no clicking blend doors, tested the fan relays and they work, ram has dye in the a/c lines and I couldn’t find a leak using a uv light, the bigger of the two lines coming out of the compressor is hot, small line is cooler coming out of the condenser, condenser fan doesn’t come on when a/c is turned on, haven’t tested line pressures, no visible damage to condenser or compressor, my system uses 1234yf refrigerant. Can’t afford a trip to the dealer, so that’s out.

 

[tron67j]

Sounds like you have run the basics. But the one thing you really need to check is the level of refrigerant, and that requires special equipment. Just adding some won't solve the problem. Trying to fix something without testing everything will only cost more in the long run or at the least keep you uncomfortable.

 

[Gone]

If everything checks out then just add one or two small pusher fans to the heat exchanger and disconnect the heater lines.

 

[crash68]

If the larger of the two lines going to the compressor is hot, that's not good. What to the lines feel like in and out of the sub-cooler? and/or the evaporator?
The condenser fans usually run on low any time the AC is running.
Did you check for leaks around the lower part of the condenser?
With the design of the AC system it will more difficult to get the refrigerant charge correct, more isn't always better.

 

[Chad Lalande]

If the larger of the two lines going to the compressor is hot, that's not good. What to the lines feel like in and out of the sub-cooler? and/or the evaporator?
The condenser fans usually run on low any time the AC is running.
Did you check for leaks around the lower part of the condenser?
With the design of the AC system it will more difficult to get the refrigerant charge correct, more isn't always better.

The small line coming out of the condenser is air temp that goes into the large line, both lines coming out of the compressor are hot, the smaller one is hotter than the big one. I did crawl under the truck and uv'ed the bottom and back of the compressor and nothing. With the a/c turned on you can feel refrigerant flowing in the lines

 

[crash68]

The small line coming out of the condenser is air temp that goes into the large line, both lines coming out of the compressor are hot, the smaller one is hotter than the big one. I did crawl under the truck and uv'ed the bottom and back of the compressor and nothing. With the a/c turned on you can feel refrigerant flowing in the lines

Try turning the evap fan to the slowest speed, set the system to recirculation, stick a temp probe in one of the vents and let it run for a few. If what what your feeling is refrigerant moving, the suction lines should start getting cold, the compressor may even start to cycle on low pressure. The 1500s use variable compressors, it's possible that's not working correctly and staying "unloaded".
There is a fitting on the lower part of the condenser that I believe the desiccant goes into, it's been reported to be troublesome for leaking. There is even a updated part/kit: 68447796AA

 

[Tach_tech]

Check the accumulator plug on the driver side of the condenser. It’s a very common spot for a leak. We repair them daily. You can see it from the top with a mirror, or you can crawl underneath and pop the lower rad panel off and have a look. Based on both lines being warmish, I bet the system is low.

Here’s a picture, if the plug looks wet then there’s your leak.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

the suction line which is the larger of the two should not be hot when running. the small line out of the condenser ( liquid line) depending on ambient temp should not be hot, where it goes into the suction line that is a suction heat exchanger to help cool the liquid before going thru the expansion device. either way you need to get a set of gauges on the system to really find out what is going on.