A/C is full of r12. With the engine at idle and the a/c blower on low, guages are at 32 on the low side and 200 on the high side, duct temp is 40. With the blower on high, the guages are at 56 on the low side and 250 on the high side, duct temp is 70. It takes about 20 seconds after the switch is moved for the guages to complete the change. Does this info show the problem?

sounds like the high speed is somehow shutting down the compressor

Try spraying water on your condensor and see if the hi side temp drops and also drops the low side.
If the temps and presures drop then you need to look at your fan for not drawing enough cooliing air across the condensor.
With R12 32psi on the low side equals 32* F
temperature rises approx 1.5 degrees for every psi higher than 34psi(if I remember correctly)
High side looks good but low side is a little high. expansion valve or POA could be the culprit

------------------
Philip Mullaly
72 TPI El Camino
You can never fix a Ford,You can only work on them alot.
70 442 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/442lftsd.jpg)
The Z-meano (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Caminoside.jpg)
Cowl induction injection (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tpienglft.jpg)

[This message has been edited by pmullaly (edited 07-19-2002).]

Thanks for the input. I'm running a flex fan that you can feel pulling on your cloths when standing in front of the truck so air flow is not the problem. My dad is thinking its a weak compressor but I'll run this by him.

I just ran the expansion valve and poa by my dad and he said my system does not have either one and the compressor is the only moving part. I guess one day i'm going to have to learn myself air conditioning.

It has an orifice tube and a clutch cycling switch to control the flow in the system.

------------------
Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
A.C.E.S.#3731
progress has little to do with speed, but lots to do with direction.
Maryland Chevelle Club (http://www.chevelles.net/mcc/mcc.htm)