87xjDave

Have an 87 XJ Cherokee and the A/C has not been working for over 5 years.
Now I am repairing the A/C, so far I have installed new r134 ports on the compressor and flushed out all the lines and condensor, changed the oil in the compressor to PAG oil, replaced the filter/dryer, and vacuumed the system down to 29-30 on the gauges, and the vacuum will hold at over 29 on the low pressure gauge for at least 45 minutes.
The problem I am having is charging the system with r134a freon.
At first the system was showing 120 PSI up at retard level on the low pressure gauge, and 0 on the high pressure gauge, and the compressor would not engage, so I jumped the clutch to engage the compressor and now the compressor will engage without being jumped. The low side now reads 118 PSI and the high reads 140 PSI while charging.
The outside temp today is 95 F.
But I can not get the system to take a full 12oz can of r134a freon, tried for over 30 minutes. The high pressure line from the compressor gets really hot while trying to charge, and the compressor is also real hot to the touch.
What should I check now?

Harky1949

Is the compressor turning when the clutch pulls in? Compressor is not locked up? If its turning, but not raising high side pressure and lowering low side pressure, then your compressor is shot.
(assuming, of course, that you are skilled with your gauge set...)

87xjDave

Yes compressor is spinning when clutch engages.
So are we saying that with approx 120 PSI low side gauge reading the compressor is bad and not sucking in the freon?
Is this why the compressor and high side line on the compressor are real hot to the touch?


Would like to confirm if compressor is bad, how can I test the compressor?