Strange AC problem
 

I recently purchased a 1994 E320 Wagon. Everything is great on the car except the AC. The compressor is turning, but it is not blowing cold. There is pressure on the line, but I have not had it to a shop to test what kind of pressure it is reading. I have been told that it could be the expansion valve. I have searced this forum and haven't found exactly what my car is doing. The AC was serviced (according to the decal under the hood) in '04. It is running 134a refrigerant. The AC fan in the front isn't running when the AC is on either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The fans not running would be a indication that the pressure is too low. It's high enough to run the compresor but that's about it. Get the pressures checked, i think you're on the right track.
Gilly (ps welcome!)

Thanks. I'll get it professionally checked out tomorrow. I tried
 

to put freon in it, but it wouldn't take any. I'll get a better idea when I get it tested. Thanks again!

You WERE trying to add to the low pressure side?
Gilly

LOL! Yes, but I appreciate you checking. I have tried on old 240 Volvos by accident on the high side...lucky the can didn't explode!

Well, unless the bastid is OVERcharged and you have a aux fan problem, overcharging is no good either........no other idea on why it won't take freon if it needs it/is low.
Gilly

Is the AC fan on the E320 like other vehicles...comes on electrically when the AC is on? I know the AC fan is dead on my E30 BMW, so the AC doesn't blow cold when I'm idling, but is very cold when I am moving.

Low rpm fan speed when triggered by the high pressure switch (switch does have a high pressure cut-off too, at a lower pressure it will switch on the fan). There is also a low pressure switch for compressor cut off at really low pressure in system. High engine temp ONLY will trigger high speed fan speed, AC will NOT activate the high fan speed.
Gilly

Should add that on a hotter day, normally the low speed fan will come on, but again this is dependent on ONLY pressure in the system.
Maybe not immediately, but on a really hot day maybe within a couple minutes of starting the AC, sorry not sure of the pressures involved.
Gilly

That's interesting. I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow. I appreciate all the help!

I had the car checked out today. It is a weak compressor. I'll keep you up to date. Thanks again for all the help!