04 4.4i A/C Woes

[spongerich]

My 04 4.4i has started blowing ambient temp air when the A/C is on. (Just in time for spring of course).

Should the engine fan always come on as soon as the AC is switched on? Mine doesn't (but it does come on once the engine is warm). Been reading lots of posts about the AUX fan, but that doesn't appear to apply to the facelift 4.4's.

Checked the fuses and everything looks OK.

I bought the refrigerant recharge kit from the local Autozone and when I connected it to the low pressure fitting, it was showing already full, so I don't think my system is low or empty.

Would it be normal for the compressor to quit without any codes being stored? I switched the AC to Max and it's hard to see if the compressor is on or not.. I can't even find the darn thing in there. No RPM drop, in fact it goes up just a touch when I select Max AC... I'm guessing that's because the alternator is drawing more to run the fan.

Any thoughts before I bring it to my mechanic?