A/C blows warm and hot air only
#1
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A/C blows warm and hot air only
Just curious what would be the most common causes of my air to start blowing warm. The controls all still seem to be working correctly because I can still feel the difference when changing the controls. e.g. When I turn the heat control to hot it does get hotter, when I turn the blower control up it still blows harder, and I can also use the third control to switch to a different vent. It was blowing ice cold last week. Now it blows around 80* air. The heat works fine still. Any ideas? THANKS.
#2
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Watertown, NY
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Needs a freon charge maybe. Is the compressor kicking and staying on? Ifd the compressor kicks on and then back off right away then there is likely a lack of line pressure.
#4
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by brad8266
Needs a freon charge maybe. Is the compressor kicking and staying on? Ifd the compressor kicks on and then back off right away then there is likely a lack of line pressure.
Any ideas? Should I go ahead and recharge? THANKS.
#5
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Watertown, NY
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the compressor kicks back off then go ahead and try a recharge first and see how that works out. If it works but only for a few days or a week or so then dies again than you probably have a refrigerant leak somewhere.
#6
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by brad8266
If the compressor kicks back off then go ahead and try a recharge first and see how that works out. If it works but only for a few days or a week or so then dies again than you probably have a refrigerant leak somewhere.
Our cars use R-134a correct? Should I just buy a recharge kit from Autozone? I read through a post that said to hook up the can to the low side (on the accumulator) and hold the can upside down. Is that the best method? Thanks.
#7
TECH Senior Member
134a is correct. I'd go ahead the try charging it with a kit first. Comes with instructions and will only let you add to the low side, get the kit with the gauge - comes with instructions. If you don't have any obvious leaks you can also get refrigerant with dye in it later to pinpoint the leak.
Trending Topics
#8
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 2001NBMZ28
134a is correct. I'd go ahead the try charging it with a kit first. Comes with instructions and will only let you add to the low side, get the kit with the gauge - comes with instructions. If you don't have any obvious leaks you can also get refrigerant with dye in it later to pinpoint the leak.
Sounds good. I will try that. Thanks.
#13
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I bought a can of R134a with a pressure gauge on it. I followed the directions on the can and hooked it up to my low side connector. As soon as I opened the valve on the can it went right to 90 PSI which is in the "danger" zone on the gauge. So I am guessing I do not need a recharge. Any other ideas on what I can check? THANKS
#14
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Watertown, NY
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ARCTICWHITE98Z28
Well I bought a can of R134a with a pressure gauge on it. I followed the directions on the can and hooked it up to my low side connector. As soon as I opened the valve on the can it went right to 90 PSI which is in the "danger" zone on the gauge. So I am guessing I do not need a recharge. Any other ideas on what I can check? THANKS
#15
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes the A/C should be on MAX A/C with the engine idling. You DO however fill with the can in the upside down position, on the low side of the system it needs to be in liquid state, this is also stated in the directions when you purchase a recharge kit.
#16
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by brad8266
Was the compressor actually running when it read 90 PSI? If the compressor was not engaged then your reading is false. What you may need to do is place a jumper across the pressure switch connector to force the compressor to stay on so that it will suck the freon up. If the lines are pretty much empty the pressure switch is made to keep the compressor off, in which case the system will not take your fill.
#17
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jon5212
Yes the A/C should be on MAX A/C with the engine idling. You DO however fill with the can in the upside down position, on the low side of the system it needs to be in liquid state, this is also stated in the directions when you purchase a recharge kit.
#18
12 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ARCTICWHITE98Z28
I will try that. I am thinking that the compressor is not turning on. Thanks.
ok I have a newb question for you. What is the best way to jumper that switch? Thanks.
#19
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (21)
Originally Posted by Jon5212
Yes the A/C should be on MAX A/C with the engine idling. You DO however fill with the can in the upside down position, on the low side of the system it needs to be in liquid state, this is also stated in the directions when you purchase a recharge kit.
#20
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have no need to jumper the switch, you said the compressor is cycling, which means it is low on refrigerant, you have to read the pressure when the compressor is running, when it is not running 90-100 PSI on the low side is correct. it should drop considerably once the compressor kicks back on, add refrigerant.