Hi,

Few weeks ago my AC stopped blowing cold air. After much troubleshooting, I think it might be my compressor. I hooked up AC pressure gauges on the High and Low side, while turn on the AC. The compressor clutch engages and confirmed it spins, however the pressure between the High and Low side are equal at 80psi. Oddly, the cooling fans do not turn on at any point. I've tested the relays and circuit, the fans work just fine.

The sight glass near the High side valve doesn't show any signs the refrigerant is moving when the compressor is engaged. Could this all be tell tell signs I have a bad compressor? Or should I try to recharge the system and see if it does anything before going down the compressor replacement path?

 

I think they sell refrigerant leak dye.

 

If the compressor locks on and spins, that implies the system pressure is adequate to allow the compressor to engage. If the compressor spun for any period of time the head pressure should climb and the suction should drop.

I agree with your assessment that the compressor is likely dead.
To further confirm, get a very long large wood dowel and place it on the compressor while it's engaged. If it sounds like marbles in a can, it' furhter confirms that it's done.

No the bad news. You need a new dryer (cheap), you absolutely must flush the evaporation core and if you can swing it, replace the condensor and lines as the destroyed compressor will take out the next one as soon as that debris goes back to it.

 

^^ Now, not no...