I have been having intermitent A/C not blowing cold air, can't take it to the dealership if it won't do it while at their shop. I got a professional calibrated probe thermometer, the kind the HVAC guys use, and put it in the center vent. Yesterday I made a few trips (very hot outside 90°) everything fine, thermometer read 40° cold air coming out with A/c on full and recirc on. Then I parked the car in the hot sun for about 3hrs, got in and A/C was only blowing 60° air first 5mi, then got down to 50° last 5mi end of trip. If it ain't blowing 40° air, you ain't cool. Anyone else have this experience and what causes it? '08 SXT with 2000mi on it. Thanks, Douglas
A/C issues
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Here is a thread on it Air Conditioning I know some have had problems,over charged ,under charged and bad compressors
Convincing the dealer
I work on temp. sensitive medical electronics and often have to convince my clients that their environment is the source of their problems, (humans are such bad thermometers). There is an inexpensive temperature data logger available. Google "EL-USB-1". This is a very configurable and accurate USB based temp. recorder that fits in the palm of your hand and records temp. readings based upon your configured parameters. When plugged into a computer with it's software loaded it will graph the results. I think I ordered the ones I have from techni-tools, but there are other retailers that have them too.
I work on temp. sensitive medical electronics and often have to convince my clients that their environment is the source of their problems, (humans are such bad thermometers). There is an inexpensive temperature data logger available. Google "EL-USB-1". This is a very configurable and accurate USB based temp. recorder that fits in the palm of your hand and records temp. readings based upon your configured parameters. When plugged into a computer with it's software loaded it will graph the results. I think I ordered the ones I have from techni-tools, but there are other retailers that have them too.
I read that thread before I started this because my issue is a little unique. The A/C works great 40° most of the time, just sometimes it sucks. Something's wierd, it should work the same all the time, either bad all the time or good all the time. I see the condenser is located low and exposed from protection against foreign objects hitting it, bad spot but it sure gets plenty of air blasting past, so that don't explain it. Something else, are there any TSB's? Thanks, Douiglas
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I'm gonna assume you have a 2008 Nitro?? If so, this could help you out, but you'll need to bring it to the dealer to have it checked out to verify if this is indeed the problem.
The current A/C system charge is 20 oz. With this charge, and when ambient temperatures are high or air flow over the condenser is less, A/C system high side pressure may increase to the point at which the A/C compressor is switched off by the controller. Suggest using approved equipment to evacuate and re-charge the A/C system. Reduce the charge to 18 oz. By reducing the charge, the system will not build pressures high enough to reach the high pressure cut off. There also is a TSB that was published recently, which I haven't posted yet that may address part of the concern you have. The TSB is 18-027-08. Hope this helps.:smileup:
The current A/C system charge is 20 oz. With this charge, and when ambient temperatures are high or air flow over the condenser is less, A/C system high side pressure may increase to the point at which the A/C compressor is switched off by the controller. Suggest using approved equipment to evacuate and re-charge the A/C system. Reduce the charge to 18 oz. By reducing the charge, the system will not build pressures high enough to reach the high pressure cut off. There also is a TSB that was published recently, which I haven't posted yet that may address part of the concern you have. The TSB is 18-027-08. Hope this helps.:smileup:
Thanks NitroTech, I kinda had a hunch either too much refridgerant or the evaporator was freezing up. I must admit I never got out of the car and popped the hood to see if the compressor was running. Could a person just blow off a couple ounces? I did try to put a gage on the low side but the low side fitting is different from the fitting on my gage; my fitting fis on GM but not on my Nitro, I thought all A/C systems used universal connections? How critical is the charge, I know some systems are very sensitive and others are somewhat more lenient. What is the high and low pressures supposed to be? Back when auto A/C first came out they used to put an inline sight glass, if you saw bubbles, you needed to add Freon.
And yes, my Nitro is a '08, thanks, Douglas
And yes, my Nitro is a '08, thanks, Douglas
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My AC quits blowing sometimes. I have already determined the problem ... my wife. We'll be driving along AC blowing nice and cool and then click. I asked why you do that? Her response, I'm cold. I say I'm hot shut your vent. We end up driving with the air on low. I hate having a cold natured wife.
I would have a pro look at it. I always take anything I need fixed to the dealership. One thing my dealer told me is that if you have a problem is to take it to them. Even if it doesn't happen all the time and they can't see it they will at least have it on record that way if after your warranty is up and you AC quits altogether they have it on the books that it was a problem before.
I would have a pro look at it. I always take anything I need fixed to the dealership. One thing my dealer told me is that if you have a problem is to take it to them. Even if it doesn't happen all the time and they can't see it they will at least have it on record that way if after your warranty is up and you AC quits altogether they have it on the books that it was a problem before.
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GM, Dodge, Ford, Toyota and so on all A/C automotive fittings which are universal now, its sound like you have the old R12 fitting and not the fittings used for R134a on your gauge. Legally, no, you shouldn't blow off a few ounces. Get the dealer to verify if your PCM software is up to date and have them check the charge and remove 2 ounces if necessary.
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LMAO!! I have the same A/C problem, unless I keep her pregnant.
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HAHAHA my Wife wants a baby maybe that could be the answer to my problems. :chuckle:
I live in Phoenix, and my 2007 RT model air conditioner just plain sucks. I've taken it to the dealer twice and they check it with the temp probe, then take it in and service it and say that it meets factory specs. This last time, they took some coolant out. If it is above about 90 degrees outside, the air barely blows cool at the center vents. I have been in other cars when it is 110 degrees and they blow cold. Any suggestions?
Friend NitroTech, I took the car to the dealership and they could not pull up TSB 24-007-08. Could you please direct me so I can direct them to find this TSB? They did flash the PCM with the current update, cool the way that works, with a laptop and wireless.
Lew, I sympathize with you, when it's hot out, it's hot out. The first car I ever owned with A/C was a 1963 Chevy, and it would flat-out freeze you out of the cabin. In all these years you'd think they would get better; I think the Nitro system design is faulty, too many controls, door flaps, maybe too small a compressor, etc.
Thanks, Douglas
Lew, I sympathize with you, when it's hot out, it's hot out. The first car I ever owned with A/C was a 1963 Chevy, and it would flat-out freeze you out of the cabin. In all these years you'd think they would get better; I think the Nitro system design is faulty, too many controls, door flaps, maybe too small a compressor, etc.
Thanks, Douglas
Here is the TSB... oops wrong one. Where did you get the TSB 24-007-08 number? I can not find that # anywhere.
Sorry for that.
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