5083E Air Conditioner Stopped Working

[gocards1177]

Got 40 acres mowed over the weekend! Had to do it in the early morning due to the AC not working.

I first noticed this in June a couple months ago but regrettably didn't do anything about it then. I'm not certain if it was working and then stopped or if it hasn't worked at all this summer. It was a new tractor bought April of 2013.

The blower works fine. It's blowing ambient temperature air. Not acceptable in a glass box on a 100 degree mid Missouri day. I cleaned the outside air filters. Checked the HVAC fuse. I couldn't tell if the compressor was kicking in but I can say the tach doesn't bog down when I flipped on the AC switch like a car would. I assume tractors do the same under the load of the compressor kicking on.

I texted my Deere service manager this am and he said it sounded like the compressor and would need to be brought in.

So my question to the masses is: "is there something I can first do/check in the field before figuring out how to haul it in myself or paying them to pick it up?" I don't have access to coolant vacuum/gauges/gizmos. I do have a multimeter, so would checking voltage at the compressor cable tell me anything? I thought about swapping the relay with another component's but didn't want to jack something else up.

Yikes. I'm guessing the repairs for this would be on me. I'm not sure how long Deere's warranty is on this kind of thing. Haven't investigated that far.

As always, any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[arlen4720]

It should still be under warranty...I think utility tractors have 2 years. Checking the voltage at the compressor will tell you something, but in my opinion, not enough. If you don't have a tech manual and you don't have any refrigeration tools, then it seems like an uphill battle, especially if it is still under warranty.

 

[jenkinsph]

How many miles to the dealer? If you don't have a proper truck and trailer to use I would road it up to 20 miles or so, just air up the tires a little to reduce wear on them. Make sure you are in 2wd too. The wear on the tires will be much less than the cost of pick up and delivery in most cases.

 

[gocards1177]

Now that is a thought. I could take the back roads. Couldn't be more than 7 miles.

 

[Tx Jim]

I've driven my tractors literally 100's of miles on roads(27 yrs of custom hay baling) and never aired the tires higher than recommended pressures in OM. If air compressor clutch is engaging one should hear it click when AC is on when ign switch is turned to "on". Have you cleaned the condenser & radiator? I'd also suggest to obtain AC gauges and learn how to correctly use them. Farm equip. AC requires a lot more attention/service than automobiles because of the extreme dusty operating conditions. I've been doing my own AC repair for years. I just bought a 30 # bottle of R134A for $72 from Sam's Club.

 

[gocards1177]

I've driven my tractors literally 100's of miles on roads(27 yrs of custom hay baling) and never aired the tires higher than recommended pressures in OM. If air compressor clutch is engaging one should hear it click when AC is on when ign switch is turned to "on". Have you cleaned the condenser & radiator? I'd also suggest to obtain AC gauges and learn how to correctly use them. Farm equip. AC requires a lot more attention/service than automobiles because of the extreme dusty operating conditions. I've been doing my own AC repair for years. I just bought a 30 # bottle of R134A for $72 from Sam's Club.

Yeah, driving sounds like the way to go. I just figured out on Google maps the best way to go the "back way" between my land and the dealership. Although it's 5 miles as the crow flies, it's 20 miles on dirt and county roads. I'll have to cross the interstate once, but that's no big deal.

I did blow out the condensor and the radiator. I'm pretty sure I didn't hear a clutch kicking in. It was hot as blazes when I was trying to figure it out. I don't have a shed/shop out there, yet. I might try to find a shady tree this week and investigate further.

How do I go about learning to work on AC? I know the recharge kits sold at the automotive stores have little pressure guages on them, but I assume your suggesting something more professional. I tend to learn a lot via Youtube videos.

 

[jenkinsph]

A service manual for your tractor might be a help with your AC problems and is a good thing to have regardless. A visit to your local library would be a good starting point to read up on hvac systems theory.

I wouldn't drive on the interstate as this is illegal in most cases but if there is a shorter route thru town or on other road ways I would use them. Make sure you have the SMV sign on the rear of the tractor in plain view.

Also when I suggested higher inflation pressures I meant higher than the 12 psi that is common to run in R1 tires, not over inflated.

 

[Gator6x4]

AC Compressors have low and high side cut outs on them. Use a volt meter to see if you have 12 volts at the compressor with the AC switch on. No voltage start working backwards. Some of the cut outs are on the Accumulator, some are on the drier and some are on the compressor. So having a wiring diagram helps. Be careful, the AC charge is under high pressure. You can use a jumper wire to by-pass a cut out to activate the compressor. Don't run it long, you will destroy the compressor.

 

[gocards1177]

A service manual for your tractor might be a help with your AC problems and is a good thing to have regardless. A visit to your local library would be a good starting point to read up on hvac systems theory.

I wouldn't drive on the interstate as this is illegal in most cases but if there is a shorter route thru town or on other road ways I would use them. Make sure you have the SMV sign on the rear of the tractor in plain view.

Also when I suggested higher inflation pressures I meant higher than the 12 psi that is common to run in R1 tires, not over inflated.

No, I agree about the interstate. Going on the interstate would save me 15 miles, but like you said, is illegal. I'll have one overpass to contend wtih that's right next to the dealer. Otherwise, it's county and dirt roads. Could also consider through town, but even thought Rolla is small, I don't like that idea.

 

[arlen4720]

Going through town is no big deal

 

[n3gxq]

If you check the power to the compressor clutch & find 12 volts, the clutch is defective & will need repaired/replaced. My Gisele is, however, that there is no power. Could be a bad switch, relay, connection, etc, OR, low on refrigerant. Most systems have a low pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor in case of refrigerant loss. You will need a refrigeration gauge set & the proper hose fittings to determine this. Perhaps you can find a local HVAC guy that will be willing to help out. I did them for years! If the refrigerant charge is indeed low, refilling it will get it up & running, but you will need to find the leak & repair it ( it disappears only by leaking out). This can be found with electronic detectors, or even soap bubbles. Repair will depend on the cause. Sometimes, the shaft seal on the compressor will leak from long periods of inactivity, and will often re-seal upon usage. (The seal is actually accomplished by a very thin film of oil on the seal surfaces, which can drain off during idle periods). If the system is empty, and has been for a while, after repairing the leak, be sure to replace the filter/drier canister in the system, and evacuate it to at least 500 microns. Good luck!

 

[jenkinsph]

Good post by n3gxq above but even so since it is in warranty I would take to the dealer. As far as I can see as long as the evaporator is clean behind the cabin filter you have covered enough as the customer.

If it were me I would leave home at first light, go through town if that is the shortest route and arrive at the dealer early. Less traffic and about as cool as it will get for you to drive to the dealer. When I do this sort of thing arriving early I try to pick up donuts for the guys if I can, it does show some appreciation and helps you too.

 

[gocards1177]

If you check the power to the compressor clutch & find 12 volts, the clutch is defective & will need repaired/replaced. My Gisele is, however, that there is no power. Could be a bad switch, relay, connection, etc, OR, low on refrigerant. Most systems have a low pressure cutout switch to protect the compressor in case of refrigerant loss. You will need a refrigeration gauge set & the proper hose fittings to determine this. Perhaps you can find a local HVAC guy that will be willing to help out. I did them for years! If the refrigerant charge is indeed low, refilling it will get it up & running, but you will need to find the leak & repair it ( it disappears only by leaking out). This can be found with electronic detectors, or even soap bubbles. Repair will depend on the cause. Sometimes, the shaft seal on the compressor will leak from long periods of inactivity, and will often re-seal upon usage. (The seal is actually accomplished by a very thin film of oil on the seal surfaces, which can drain off during idle periods). If the system is empty, and has been for a while, after repairing the leak, be sure to replace the filter/drier canister in the system, and evacuate it to at least 500 microns. Good luck!

Thanks for the post! I tend to be pretty snobbish when it comes to purchasing tools, but for single or rare use tools such as we're discussing I tend to go to Harbor Freight or Amazon. Would something like the following fit the bill:
Amazon.com: Pit Bull CHIMG777 Pit Bull CHIMG777 R12 A/C Air Conditioning Ac Refrigerant Manifold-Gauge Set: Home Improvement

Also, I just spoke with my local service manager and he confirmed I'm under warranty until April 2015, so it is 2 years. They're going to take a look at it next week.

 

[gocards1177]

Or this:
Amazon.com: CZFCGA 500 PSI A/C Manifold Gauge Set by CAL HAWK: Automotive

 

[Tx Jim]

The gauge manifold set in this post is a lot cheaper than the one I bought from a local auto parts store but appear to be as good or better than the one I have. Buy them study up on checking AC coolant pressures and YOU'LL BE $$$$$$$$ AHEAD. PS: the 1st set of gauges you listed didn't have the valves to connect to the AC system because they were for R12 instead of for R134A.

Amazon.com: CZFCGA 500 PSI A/C Manifold Gauge Set by CAL HAWK: Automotive

 

[gocards1177]

Just dropped my tractor off at the dealer, I'll post what they find out.

 

[gocards1177]

Just got a call from the dealer. Refrigerant empty. Cracked o-ring.

 

[Tx Jim]

Glad the dealer determined the non cooling problem. As you know AC's don't cool worth a HOOT when they're low(out of) refrigerant.

 

[gocards1177]

Glad the dealer determined the non cooling problem. As you know AC's don't cool worth a HOOT when they're low(out of) refrigerant.

yeah. I'm glad it happened under warranty. Need to learn to work on AC.

 

[bushhog28]

Do you know the cost to fix if it wasn't under warranty?