Air Conditioning - AC is blowing hot

When it comes to simple comforts such as your air conditioning in your car it can get upsetting when they no longer work form day to day. An automotive air conditioning system can stop working without any notice at all. You could get up in the morning, load the kids to go on that long trip to California and find yourself sweating bullets have way there. No one wants to deal with the car breaking down or the added expense of repairs even when it comes to your air conditioning. So, what can you do when your AC is blowing hot and you are in need of Auto Air Conditioning Repair ? You will need to figure out first if the ac clucth is pulling in and engaging or not. If the clutch is engaging allowing the operation of the ac compressor then most likely the issue is inside the dash involving vent controls. If the compressor is not turning, you could be low on freon, have a bad electrical connection or even a missing belt. When my AC is blowing hot I diagnose and get it fixed quick before it turns the Vacation into a Staycation is you know what I mean....

Car Air Conditioning

As its getting closer to being summer it is time to start thinking ahead. Now is the time to make sure your Car Air Conditioning is working properly instead of waiting till its so hot you can't hardly take it. Take the time to turn your cars air conditioning on and let it run for a few minutes and see if its cold enough that it makes you want to turn it back off. That is a good sign that it is working well. If you want to be more accurate you can always search through the kitchen for a cooking thermometer and insert it into a dash vent. This will give you the most accurate reading and will let you know if its performing as well as it should. If its not working well and you find that you need an Automotive Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Guide. Free Auto Mechanic.com offers a great step by step troubleshooting guide that can help you get your Cars Air Conditioning up to working condition in no time. Also some useful diagrams and electrical information.

04 Explorer a/c burnt?

I have a good one for you! I knew sooner or later this would happen.It could have easily burned and totalled the vehicle.
My son's 04 Explorer which was having earlier problems with the a/c compressor not powering on, now it is a bigger problem. Previously he was jumpering directly from the a/c clutch wire connector to the battery, to engage the a/c compressor clutch with Automotive Air Conditioning Repair
Well,he decided to hook up a toggle switch to the suv interior. After doing that, it wasn't long before the a/c clutch two wire connector shorted together and caused melted black electrical tape and the toggle switch to burn up, taking out the battery in the process.
He had to replace the battery and now when he tries jumpering directly to the battery again,it just causes sparking.
My question is the a/c compressor clutch coil
possibly shorted out or could it be the old original wire connector itself causing the arcing? How can you test the a/c clutch coil?
I am presently trying to locate and buy a new a/c clutch wiring connector pigtail. It is a two spade/two wire connector. I called A/Z and Oreilly's and they either don't have it or unsure which connector is the proper one.
I may have to call a local Ford dealership.
I do understand all of this is a bone head way of powering the a/c compressor and shouldn't have been done.
Does anyone know a part or oem # that would help to find the correct replacement wire connector.
That is the first priority right now and then get it repaired properly at a mechanic shop.
This 2004 Ford Explorer is a 4 wd, 4.0L V-6, with Vin K
I just need to replace the wiring pigtail to eliminate a possibly burnt out/grounded out connector and hope that he didn't burn out the a/c clutch coil. I would appreciate your help with this very stupid problem.

Response:

1).. reminds me of putting the penny behind the fuse... or in modern times, tin foil around the fuse;-)

2)The A/C clutch coil is an electro magnet. Knowing that I suspect that the Compressor itself is probably bad causing excessive heat by dragging on the clutch surfaces. And I have seen the compressors start fires.

UPDATE
The 04 Explorer meltdown was when the vehicle wasn't running. It shorted out with the a/c clutch wire connector (where hot wired)the two wires touched. So I don't really think it was the compressor itself involved. It was operating well when jumpered due to inability to energize thru the OEM control system via the clutch cycling switch.
Can I check the a/c clutch coil with a multimeter for continuity and/or Ohms? I read that continuity would confirm a good complete circuit. I just want to get the car back to the point of a/c compressor able to engage properly and then get it repaired properly at a local mechanic shop.
I did call a Ford dealership and found a new a/c clutch wire connector pigtail.
Thanks guys for your assistance, will update you later.

2005 Chevy Trail Blazer blows cold out top and bottom but not the dash

I have a 2005 Chevy TrailBlazer and ever since I replaced the battery The Air Conditioning Will not blow out the dash. The A/C blows out the top and floor but not the dash no matter what I set it on. I have checked all the fuses and don't have a clue what is going on here? Any help would be appreciated.

Response:
This is a common issue with the Trailblazer. You can disconnect the battery for two minutes and then reconnect it. Turn the key to "ON" and without touching the control knobs for 2 minutes the Mode Actuator should recalibrate itself. If you can not achieve dash function after that, you are looking at replacing the "Mode Door Actuator". Part is around $70.00 at the dealer. Should take any shop about an hour to hour and a half at the most.

Air Conditioning blows warm after driving for a while?

I have a 2005 Subaru Outback, When I first start the car the Air Conditioning Blows Ice Cold. Then After I drive it for about 10 Miles it starts blowing hot. I have had it to two different places and one said the Freon was too full and the other said the Freon was to low. Neither place was correct.

Solution/Fix:
I asked some friends if they new of a good place and was referred to CFS Auto & Tire (a local Springboro Auto Repair Shop). Turns out they specialize in Air Conditioning among other things. The problem was that after the A/C Compressor was run for a while it would get hot and the clutch on the compressor would not engage until it had a chance to cool off. The Mechanic took me back in the shop and showed me that the compressor was still getting power to the compressor but wasn't engaging.

Had new compressor installed and Has been blowing Cold ever since.

1998 jeep grand cherokee a/c leak

i have pumped up pressure to high end and low end of the system with nitrogin and cant hear or see leak. i did try to fill system with refridgerant first and it leaked out in a day and a half so it has a big leak but i am so boggled by this. do you have any advice for me


Response:
 
Replace the Evaporator. Ask any repair shop and they will tell you that the evaporator is the most common problem with the jeep Cherokee’s. This is also why it is difficult to see a leak. You might have to run the Air Conditioning and use a sniffer to prove it since it is buried in the dash.

http://www.freeautomechanic.com/airconditioning.html

Diagnosing an Air Conditioning Leak in your car's AC System

Air Conditioning Leak

If your Air Conditioning System seems to loose its cool, no pun intended, it is most likely do to a lose of freon. Freon itself is colorless and can be difficult to locate. Most shop mechanics will add approved fluorescent dye to the Air Conditioning system in order to help locate the leak. Once the dye has been added to the AC system and freon level topped off. Run the engine for 10 - 15 minutes with the AC on Max. Look for signs of the dye around all AC system components. Once you see where the dye has leaked out it is just a matter of swapping out a bad o-ring or replacing the compressor (shown above). The Dye can be easier to see under UV light but is not necessary in all cases.

More Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips

Air Conditioning 2002 Dodge Durango nothing coming out of dash vents

Air worked fine when it first got hot out this year. Now it only works in the back and the defrost part of dash. Nothing comes out of other dash vents. Any ideas what problem is?

Response:
1) Got Kids? If so, they more than likely dropped something in 1 of the side vents.
2)in some cases if the system is low on refrigerant, the system will ice up blocking some of the vents. try topping off the system with a little more refrigerant

3) Most likely a failed vent/mode door actuator has failed. The Air Conditioning System itself is fine or it wouldn't blow cold at all. The Blower motor is fine or it wouldn't blow air. So the only thing left is the door is jammed or the electrical actuator that moves the "mode" door from vent/dash/floor.

2003 chevy truck Air Conditioning Issue

I have dual climate controll but the driver side blowes warm air all the time. The passenger side works fine. Is there a controller somewhere and how can i get to it?

http://www.freeautomechanic.com/airconditioning.html

There is a vaccuum door in the assemble that controls cold/warm air mixture. Either the door is stuck to the heat side or the diaphram is bad. Located:Behind the dashboard you will see on the assy a thing that looks like a pancake with a vaccuum line attached to it there is also a rod that you cant see going into the heater box.

I have a leak in the air conditioning

I have a GMC Jimmy "98" V6 Vortex engine with a leak in the air conditioning. I had it recharged last year and it lasted about 1 month. Do they have something like a radiator leak fix that I can use for the air or something else?

Response:
1) They used to tint (color) the freon when filling, and watch for leaks. That was years ago. Not aware of any type of stop leak that can be added to the freon. There are several places in the system that can develop leaks.
2) Advance Auto Parts carries a stop leak for almost everything including air conditioning. Now mind you I'm not recommending these products, just telling you they have them.

Air Conditioner Problems

Any automotive air conditioning system employs four basic parts-a mechanical compressor, driven by the vehicle's engine; an expansion valve, which is a restriction the compressor pumps against; and two heat exchangers, the evaporator and the condenser. In addition, there is the refrigerant that flows through this system. Avoid the need for an auto air conditioner service call Look Below for car auto air conditioning repair Troubleshooting Procedures

The freon is compressed and flows through the condenser where it is cooled into a liquid. The freon passes through the receiver/dryer to remove moisture. Once the freon leaves and enters the expansion valve/orifice tube The high pressure liquid becomes a vapor and is extremely cold as it passes through the evaporator and on to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

Air Conditioner blows warm air 1. Air conditioner system is discharged. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by an MVAC certified technician, utilizing approved recovery/recycling equipment. Repair as necessary. 2. Air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. Check compressor clutch wiring, electrical connections and compressor clutch, and repair or replace as necessary.

a/c is blowing warm and my engine is overheating

my 2002 Hyundai Elantra a/c is blowing warm and my engine is overheating. The belts are all in place. there are no leaks of coolant on the ground. There are no noises coming from the water pump. Do you have any ideas what may be the problem? I ran over a deer a few weeks back on the interstate. The car has ran fine since, but I did sustain some damage around the radiator (braces got bent up). I am wondering if this problem has popped up after the fact. Answer: Most likely cause (since you hit a deer) would be that there is a hole in the A/C Condenser (Reference Diagram) that is located in front of the radiator. This would allow the freon to escape. As for the overheating, since some brackets were bent, etc. there is probably some damage that was done to the fan assembly not allowing the fan to function for the radiator. This would make it overheat. Another thing that would cause both issues would be air flow restriction. If there is deer fur stuck in the condenser and blocking air flow, neither the A/C system would work properly nor would it allow air to flow through the radiator also causing the engine to overheat.

The a/c starts out good when I first start the car. Then as it gets to cold in the car I turn it down

I have 2003 S 60 2.4t The a/c starts out good when I first start the car. Then as it gets to cold in the car I turn it down that is when I have a problem with it. It gets to a point where it is hardly blowing out air no matter high high or low the fan control is. If I turn it off for a few minutes then it will start working again I don't know if it is related but one of the lines is frozen in the engine compartment. Already Tried: Changing the cabin air filter

Answer:

You have a bad evaporator temp switch, It is not shutting the compressor of when the temp gets too low, and your evaporator is freezing over, thus the insufficient air flow, when the evap melts, its blows again. You need to replace this switch. You just remove the harness, then remove the switch and install the new one. See above diagram.

My AC starts off blowing nice and cold, but after 5-20 minutes it it loses its cool (blows warm air)

My AC starts off blowing nice and cold, but after 5-20 minutes it it loses its cool (blows warm air) it is a 2001 ford escape. Answer: Look under the hood when it quits blowing cold and see if the accumulator looks frosted. This is common to a Sticking A/C Relay. To locate the relay, look in your owners manual under fuses/relays. Just replacing the relay should fix this common issue. What is happening is the compressor is not able to shut off and causes the system to freeze and does not work again until is has time to thaw out. Online Air Conditioning Information Resource

July 4th Fireworks are Hot, so keep cool with your Air Conditioning on the way there

Independence Day is one of my favorite times of the year. Local communities across the United States have celebrated with parades and festivals for years. Many larger cities offer huge fireworks displays for all the family to enjoy. So this means everyone will need to pile in the "family truckster" and make your way through the heavy traffic during one of the years hottest days of the year. We all know just how hot it can during the stand still on the way there especially if the air conditioning if on the fritz. Don't let this become one of your worst days of the years. Check your car's Air Conditioner and make sure your vehicle is in good working condition before heading out to enjoy July 4th fireworks. A few milutes to check your fluid levels and your Air Conditiong operation may just save the day before it needs saving. Now that we have done an ounce of prevention we can enjoy a pound of fun. Be safe and Happy 4th of July !!

a/c blows hot air from rear vents and front passenger

a/c blows hot air from rear vents and front passenger- is $375 steep for stepper motor? tough time starting up sometimes....$475 for ignition cassette and plugs...steep? I'm sure by the time I walk out of the place it will be $1k all in...and it's a 2001 9-5 wagon, so I'm trying to figure out if the charges are reasonable, on target, and any feedback if this is a good time to get rid of the Saab before it costs more than it's blue book to repair?

Already Tried: brought it to solid local repair shop this morning...quotes I shared are what they gave me based on problems: sometimes tough to start in morning: $475 for ignition cassette and plugs; a/c blows hot air from rear vents and front passenger: $375 for new stepper motor; before I call to set up appointment for tomorrow to lock this in wanted to get some feedback on if these are on target with solving the problem (big issue in the past with other repair shops), and if costs are reasonable, and to solicit thoughts on whether to keep car or move on. It only has 52k miles on it...but seems to be getting pretty expensive to maintain.

Answer:

The prices they quoted you seem reasonable. Make sure the quote is in writing and that they know you are only going to pay what they have quoted. Best way to make sure is to ask them the amount you need to write on the check, tax and all.

Blue Book Value : Excellent $6,060 Good $5,635 Fair $5,085

If you like the car and it drives well , go ahead and fix it. If you feel that it is starting to cost you too much, then trade it off before you fix it. I do not think you will get 1,000 more for it if you fixed vs. trying to sell it the way it is.

How to troubleshoot my air conditioning?

There are many different ways to go about troubleshooting your car air conditioning system. The best approach is to determine if it is a mechanical failure or electrical failure. Then diagnose the the problem in that manner. For example: If the air conditioning compressor clutch is not engaging it could be caused by no freon, or low freon charge which would be a mechanical failure. Also it could be caused by an electrical problem and no power is getting to the compressor. In order to diagnose the problem follow these steps: Troubleshooting your Air Conditioning System Step by Step

Car Air Conditioning Repair

Air Conditioning Electrical Diagram

There are several sites on the web that cover details on how the car air conditioning system works. But what most of us want is one web site that can explain the air conditioning system, Tell us how to troubleshoot, how to repair the air conditioning and then how to recharge the A/C. Our Parent site has done all this and more for you Automotive Air Conditioning.

You will discover the troubleshooting procedures you need to determine what is wrong with your air conditioning and how to fix it and recharge it . The procedures are step by step and include diagrams and photos for ease of understanding.

1999 buick regal climate control problem - Air Conditioning Problem DTC B0361,B0441

1999 Buick Regal climate control problem . When I started, A/C unit hot air comes out on one side and cold on the other side and now 1 week later the heater or A/C are not working.

Answer:

2 things that can cause this problem. A low refrigerant level in the A/C system can make the passenger side colder than the drivers side. Until all the refrigerant leaked out and now the A/C isn't working at all. You will need to get the refrigerant level checked in the system to determine this.The other thing is the control head for the A/C unit. GM has a bulletin for this. # 02-01-39-001. I have added the TSB below. To tell if this is the problem, You would need to get the codes checked in the HVAC module. and see if the scan tool can control the temperature doors.

#02-01-39-001: HVAC Temperature Difference Side to Side and/or DTC B0361, B0441 Set (Replace HVAC Controller, Splice into Backlighting Circuit) - (Feb 7, 2002) Subject: HVAC Temperature Difference Side to Side and/or DTC B0361, B0441 Set (Replace HVAC Controller, Splice into Backlighting Circuit) Models: 1997-99 Buick Century, Regal 1998-99 Oldsmobile Intrigue with RPO CJ2 Condition Some customers may comment on a temperature variation between the left and right hand ducts. Typical concerns may include that the right side of the vehicle cools down but the left stays warm or the opposite. This condition is sometimes associated by the customer with a recent service visit for other non-related repairs. The codes, DTC B0361 or B0441, may be present but will not illuminate a telltale lamp. Cause The HVAC controller unit and the TEMP door actuator motors rely on a feedback system that supplies the controller with count values in order to accurately adjust the air temperature. When battery power is interrupted to the HVAC controller, the current actuator position values are lost. When power is restored, the controller will perform a "sweep test" of the doors from full cold to full hot and record the end values for reference. Over time, the TEMP doors may develop some flexing when run to their extremes. This flexing allows the count values to run out of range (beyond 0-255) and results in DTC code B0361 or B0441 to set. Correction A revised HVAC controller has been released with new programming that allows for a wider tolerance in the expected range of the TEMP door. Replace the controller using the procedure below: Important: On the 1997 Buick Century and Regal, additional steps are required. You will have to run a jumper wire to the new HVAC controller. Be sure to follow the additional 1997 model year steps below. 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Important: On the Buick Regal, the console must first be removed to access the HVAC controller. For Buick Century and Oldsmobile Intrigue, skip to Step 10. 2. Apply the parking brake and block wheels. 3. Shift the transmission to first gear. 4. Remove the console trim plate and disconnect the electrical harness. 5. Disconnect the cigarette lighter sockets. 6. Remove the console storage box. 7. Remove the console control plate and disconnect electrical harness for traction control and heated seats, if equipped. 8. Remove the console retaining bolts. 9. Remove the console from the vehicle. 10.Remove the HVAC trim panel, if equipped. 11.Remove the HVAC controller retaining bolts. 12.Disconnect the electrical harness. 13.Discard the HVAC controller. Important: At this point, you must refer to the 1997 Buick section below if working on that model and year. The section below includes steps to revise vehicle wiring to enable HVAC controller backlighting. 14.If the vehicle is a 1997 Buick Century or Regal, refer to the section below titled 1997 Buicks (Enabling Backlighting Circuit). 15.Connect the HVAC controller electrical harness and install the controller retaining bolts. 16.Install the control module trim plate, if equipped. Skip to Step 23 for the Buick Century and Oldsmobile Intrigue. Continue below for the Buick Regal. 17.Install the console to the vehicle. 18.Install the console retaining bolts. 19.Install the console control plate and connect the electrical harness for traction control and heated seats, if equipped. 20.Install the console storage box. 21.Connect the cigarette lighter sockets. 22.Install the console trim plate and connect the electrical harness. 23.Shift the transmission to PARK and unblock the wheels. 24.Connect the negative battery cable. Additional Steps for 1997 Buicks (Enabling Backlighting Circuit) 1. Remove the radio retaining bolts. 2. Remove the radio and disconnect the electrical harness. 3. Prepare an 457.2 mm (18 in) long, 18 gauge jumper wire. If multiple colors are available, it would be the most convenient to use grey to continue the backlighting circuit in the same color. 4. Locate and splice one end of the jumper wire to the grey wire occupying pin location F4 at the radio harness. 5. Position the radio back into the I/P and route the jumper wire down to the HVAC controller harness location. 6. Using a new terminal (GM P/N 12146447 Micro-Pak .35-.50), attach and install the other end of the jumper wire into cavity C16 of the HVAC controller harness. The row and column position indications are molded into the body of the HVAC controller at the harness location. 7. Connect the electrical harness to the HVAC controller. 8. Connect the negative battery cable and test the HVAC backlighting by turning on the headlamps and varying the backlighting intensity. 9. Install the radio retaining bolts. 10.Install the I/P upper trim panel. 11.Refer back to Step 15 of the Correction section to complete the procedure. (You will have already connected the electrical harness).

Parts Information Part Number Description 10435588 Controller, HVAC (Buick) 9388139 Controller, HVAC (Oldsmobile) Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

the a/c blower on my 2005 lincoln town car at times seems like it can't tell how hard it should be blowing

Question: the a/c blower on my 2005 Lincoln town car at times seems like it can't tell how hard it should be blowing. ( sounds like it is out of breath..like a bellows. ) a dealer replaced the blower motor and blender door motor. problem still exists. please help. my warranty expires in 3-4 weeks. Already Tried: one dealer said they replaced the blender door motor as well as main blower motor. there were issues with direction of air flow as well as noisy blender door. these two things seem OK now but at times, especially when starting the car in a situation where the auto a/c should come on, it does come on but the blower huffs and puffs like it sounds and feels like it is out of breath.please respond Answer; I have only one suggestion. Check the cabin air filter. If it is clogged there will not be sufficient air flow for the blower. Check that and if that's it you can hit accept, otherwise I don't have anything else for you.