Cascadia A/C weirdness

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by RustyChops41, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. RustyChops41

    RustyChops41 Light Load Member

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    Apr 25, 2016
    Clovis, CA
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    It's a dead ParkSmart APU system in the bunk. The unit itself died, and I understand it is non-serviceable, and quite expensive.
     
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  3. dunchues

    dunchues Medium Load Member

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    Look on the bright side, its a company truck, sadly for me mine isnt!

    My issue turned out to be the evaporator icing up due to a bad temperature sensor. It would work for a while then the vents just seemed to slowly blow weaker and weaker. If I turned off the ac for 5 or 10 mins it would dump a load of water out from the drain and work fine. The dealer wanted to change the hvac unit out but luckily for me I was too cheap. I put it into a local reefer engineer and he found the bad sensor although admittedly he changed plenty of bits along the way. That sensor was the cheapest part I've ever found in a Freightliner dealership, $11 Canadian! Its a push fit plastic thing with two wires going to it located just to the left and slightly above the fan motor, if your symptoms are the same its an easy change out.
     
    fargonaz Thanks this.
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    @STexan




    @RustyChops41
    This is how the reset worked on my 12 and 16 models. Apparently the 14 and 15 didn't flash the lights.

    I don't remember about the 12 but i could reset the 16 while driving also. @dunchues
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
  5. RustyChops41

    RustyChops41 Light Load Member

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    Apr 25, 2016
    Clovis, CA
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    Back on the road, and AC is weak again. It was fine and ice cold for 8 hours parked.
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    You tried the reset as described in the above vid? Pop the hood and see if the compressor is engaged and spinning.
     
  7. RustyChops41

    RustyChops41 Light Load Member

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    Apr 25, 2016
    Clovis, CA
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    Yes, tried reset. Compressor clutch engages, but only for a few seconds at a time.
     
  8. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Try wiggling plugs. Compressor, low pressure switch, should be 2 high pressure switchs. 1 would be for the fan i beleive. Trace the lines at every connection and make sure there's no green traces. Green indicates a freon leak. If the compressor stays on with the wiggle of a switch. Crossing fingers. I'd go to any auto parts store. Take the switch off and buy a new one. They're fairly cheap. Compared to the dealer.
     
    roshea Thanks this.
  9. tony97905

    tony97905 Road Train Member

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    What does your outside air temp read while moving? The earlier models based HVAC operation off that reading and I've seen a few where the wires chafed causing inaccurate readings while moving. The sensor was located behind the bumper on the right side btw.
     
    dunchues Thanks this.
  10. RustyChops41

    RustyChops41 Light Load Member

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    Apr 25, 2016
    Clovis, CA
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    Ambient air temp display has been inop since I got put in this truck. Just 2 dashes " - - " , unless I go through deep puddles, then it briefly reads -40° and dings the freeze warning chime. Certainly not working.
     
  11. dunchues

    dunchues Medium Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
    new brunswick
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    Lots of good advice here, course its possible you have a leak they didnt find or thats just appeared and your freon is leaking out. My condensor went out a week after I'd spent a grand getting everything fixed, that cost as much again. Compressors been fine though!
     
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