Are you smarter than a 5th grader? a/c question
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: fort worth
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you smarter than a 5th grader? a/c question
Riddle me this, batman-
The a/c in my 02 Z doesn't get cold and I don't understand why. The system is charged, the compressor kicks on and stays on, but the air temp doesn't cool down at all compared to other settings on control panel. My heater works fine and when I move the temp selector from red to blue, the air temp changes from hot to whatever the temp is outside, so I don't think it's the blend door. Any ideas or suggestions?
The a/c in my 02 Z doesn't get cold and I don't understand why. The system is charged, the compressor kicks on and stays on, but the air temp doesn't cool down at all compared to other settings on control panel. My heater works fine and when I move the temp selector from red to blue, the air temp changes from hot to whatever the temp is outside, so I don't think it's the blend door. Any ideas or suggestions?
#2
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: henderson,ky
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Possibly a evaporator issue? If your system is charged and the pressures are good, an the compressor is working fine, you have the ability to cool air obviously... So its only obvious to assume that the issue lies between their and the vents. If the blend is functioning correctly, then you should be getting cold air as well.
How long I your compressor staying kicked on when u hit the AC???
Also, have u recently changed or done any work on the system?
How long I your compressor staying kicked on when u hit the AC???
Also, have u recently changed or done any work on the system?
#3
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: fort worth
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The compressor stays on for a while, haven't watched it for much more than a minute. This car is new to me, just sold my vette and bought it two weeks ago. Figured it would be an easy fix (shows what I know).
#5
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: henderson,ky
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If your evaporator is freezing up it will block the cold air from going to the vents, which will also have your compressor not running long. Possibly a thermistor issue? That is about all I can recall on AC an function and it may be skewed from the exact operation. I'm in school for engineering now so like I said, I've forgotten alot, and much has been replaced with other more relevant knowledge to the engineering field lol
#6
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: fort worth
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i don't have gauges, will try to use a buddy's this weekend. I can say that I topped off the freon with an autozone nozzle and a small can of R134, so I don't think I have too much pressure but I guess only the gauges will tell. If the evaporator was freezing up, wouldn't it cool inside for a few minutes before it froze up and blocked the air to the vents?
Thanks for all the help!
Thanks for all the help!
Trending Topics
#13
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (96)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 0
Received 81 Likes
on
72 Posts
Exactly. You will need to depressurize the system. Pull the $2 orifice screen out and replace it. Then recharge it. Should blow cold. Other obvious thing is if the compressor is trash, but every trashed compressor I have ever heard has been locked up or making god awful noises so my vote is the orifice. I have seen this exact thing happen on a car with a new compressor.
#14
TECH Resident
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: STL, Mo
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you had gauges, you could find the problem pretty obvious.
Do what 01ssreda4 and I suggested first. Besides replacing that cheap part is a good idea anyway. Make sure its for the correct year as well. There are different sized orifice tubes and it will make a difference on some systems.
Gauges will pretty much rule out anything on the system that is wrong.
So what your average temp there durning the day is in the 60s? Right?
Generally on 60*-70* day the low side (with no restrictions) should read anywhere from 25psi-40psi, depending on humidity.
The high side with everything in working order should read around 65-160psi. That would be with AC max and recirc. on.
Thats just a rule of thumb but its pretty similar throughout any ac system on a car.
Hope that helps you out some.
Do what 01ssreda4 and I suggested first. Besides replacing that cheap part is a good idea anyway. Make sure its for the correct year as well. There are different sized orifice tubes and it will make a difference on some systems.
Gauges will pretty much rule out anything on the system that is wrong.
So what your average temp there durning the day is in the 60s? Right?
Generally on 60*-70* day the low side (with no restrictions) should read anywhere from 25psi-40psi, depending on humidity.
The high side with everything in working order should read around 65-160psi. That would be with AC max and recirc. on.
Thats just a rule of thumb but its pretty similar throughout any ac system on a car.
Hope that helps you out some.
#16
Teching In
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: north east ohio
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Feel your high pressure lines are they warm? they are the small ones, feel your low pressure lines, are they cold? it cold be a plathora of issues, with out gauges it is hard to tell. over charge and under charge can cause poor performance. But if your low pressure lines are not cold i would say expansion device. it is unlikely your filter is bad, it is a completely sealed system. under charge is the most common condition. if it is charged by an autozone bottle of r134 than you dont really know what you charged it to. thus equaling an over or undercharge. and poor performance.