AC froze over

Sammy Sandbag · 09-13-2004, 10:47 AM

I was on my way back home from leave when I noticed my air conditioning wasn't blowing much air and it wasn't very cool, there was also a strange noise coming from the in cab portion of the AC (under the glove box.) I continued on until I needed gas. A quick look at the AC, and I could definately tell it was frozen over. There was frost formed all around the bottom of it. I popped the hood to check the line, and the entire thing was froze over with solid ice. So I ran the truck with the air off and the heat on, to try and defrost is quickly. Water was pouring out of the system, some of which came down into the passenger floor board. Meanwhile I snapped some photos for evidence. After about 20 minutes of running the heat, I got back on the highway and tried the air again. Apparently that did the trick, and it operated fine the rest of the trip.

I had a similar experience with my Chevy 1500, which had a slow coolant leak in the lines. The compressor eventually needed replacement. I'm not a HVAC expert, but could this be from low coolant levels as well?

Slappy · 09-13-2004, 10:50 AM

Yes, it is possible that low coolant levels resulted in the freezing over of your ac unit. I have had similar problems with other ac units(Not on the Titan). PV=NRT.

WetWaders · 09-13-2004, 11:04 AM

A frozen coil is usually the result of an air flow problem or a refrigerant leak. I would definitely wager on the refrigerant leak in your case. Until the leak is found a d repaired, you should probably lay off the AC, to protect the compressor.

Good luck.

lizardking · 09-13-2004, 11:09 AM

A blockage at the expansion valve can cause this.

SUBTITAN · 09-13-2004, 01:02 PM

Usually a blockage of some kind, causing a low pressure area at the end of the blockage causing the icing that you are seeing.

Adso · 09-13-2004, 01:26 PM

Hey gang, long time lurker, first time poster.

On the A/C issue, I used to be a HVAC tech before I became a comptuer nerd. I can say that the most likely cause of the freeze up was due to low freon levels. Sounds wierd, but the first thing I used to check when I went on a service call and saw the ac froze over was to check the freon level first then make sure the filters are not full of crap. (Not sure if there are filters before the evaporator core on a truck?)

Hope this helps!

Adam

BTW waiting for an 05! WOOT!

Sammy Sandbag · 09-13-2004, 05:59 PM

Thanks a lot guys. I'll let you know what the service people say.

supertitan · 09-13-2004, 06:06 PM

took a trip down to alabama and my AC was on but the button said off still blowing cold air???

supertitan · 09-13-2004, 06:07 PM

I mean my AC WAS OFF BUT STILL BLOWING COLD AIR

supertitan · 09-13-2004, 06:08 PM

Hey Sammy You Think Your Problem Could Have A Tsb# ?

Sammy Sandbag · 09-13-2004, 06:41 PM

I haven't seen any TSB's related to this.

cbgb · 09-13-2004, 07:27 PM

Hey Sammy, do you think that you had the air recirculator button on??,,,if so maybe your incabin filter is clogged,,,,lack of air over the evap coil and you get ice for margaritas......just a thought

Sammy Sandbag · 09-13-2004, 07:31 PM

Nope, the recirculate button was definately off.

cbgb · 09-13-2004, 07:33 PM

Actually come to think of it,,the incabin filter also filters fresh outside air,,,have you noticed any lack of airflo before the freez-up???

Sammy Sandbag · 09-13-2004, 07:37 PM

No, but as I stated earlier, after thawing it out, it blew fine, so I'm guessing the ice was restricting the air flow. But to be on the safe side, I'll check the filter. Any pointers on where it is, I hate break out the OM.