A/C not blowing cold air
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
From: York PA
A/C not blowing cold air
I have the electronic climate control in my car for starters. When I turn my A/C on, it blows air, but not cold air. Mechanic did a quick check on freon level and said that's ok. Also, when I turn the A/C on, the unit doesn't kick on in the engine. If it's the compressor, am I able to have a new/used one installed or will I have to do the retro kit. I'm guessing that by the age of my car that I'm running on an older "ozone depleting" A/C system. All in all, can anyone weigh in on the possibilities and costs to fix this?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach ca
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (fast90)
If the compressor is not kicking on it may be due to either the climate control, high pressure cut-out, or low pressure cut-out. I would put 12-volts directly to the clutch of the compressor the car does not have to be running for you to tell if it engages, you will hear a loud "clicking" sound. If it does engage then it is probably one of the problems I mentioned above, if it does not engage it is probably the clutch on the compressor which you may be able to replace without having to lose the freon charge. You can e-mail if you need more help on the matter. :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: Norcross GA
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (rick0829)
If what they said is true, freon is fine, what you are describing is a bad switch or a bad clutch. (Could be the controller, but I am ruling that out.) I have my doubts, because the compressor has to be running to prpperly test the refridgerant levels.
Check your AC fuse.
Do you have a simple voltmeter? Do you wanna trouble shoot it yourself? Do you have access to a set of AC gauges (manifold)?
Check your AC fuse.
Do you have a simple voltmeter? Do you wanna trouble shoot it yourself? Do you have access to a set of AC gauges (manifold)?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (ZylaRace)
Well, if luck decides to be on my side, I'll get my car back today from the mechanic who's been keeping it for the past 2 and half weeks. When I pick it up, I'll ask him what he thinks it is then post a reply here. Thanks for the input so far!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (fast90)
Disconnect the battery for a minute. It will reset any codes stored in the electronic a/c controller. Mine was doing the same as yours, plenty of freon but no cold air. The system had set a code for low coolant for some reason and it would not engage the clutch. This is to protect the compressor in case it really is low on freon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,159
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From: member since Jan 2000
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (fast90)
this was a ways back, but my '89 went through this.
it's common for this AutoClimate System
commonly can be cured by:
* removing the AutoClimate Control/Display Panel (dash) electrical connector and cleaning it
* investigating the resistors in the circuit (Programmer Module - by steering column) that drives the Airmix Door Motor (above passenger feet)
there is a diagnostic procedure that will bypass the automatic modes and force the actuators one way for cold and then the other for hot.
this was my story:
:seeya
it's common for this AutoClimate System
commonly can be cured by:
* removing the AutoClimate Control/Display Panel (dash) electrical connector and cleaning it
* investigating the resistors in the circuit (Programmer Module - by steering column) that drives the Airmix Door Motor (above passenger feet)
there is a diagnostic procedure that will bypass the automatic modes and force the actuators one way for cold and then the other for hot.
this was my story:
:seeya
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (SLEV89)
Hmmm...for what it's worth - I also noticed that the green LED on the Electronic unit in the dash kept blinking on and off when I turned the heating/air conditioning system off. Am I helping to narrow down my problem? I should have noted that in my original post. :bb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: member since Jan 2000
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (fast90)
when an error code has been stored, the EXT TEMP indicator will flash.
to enter diagnostic mode: press and hold the EXT TEMP button and then press and release the AUTO button.
a diagnostic mode number will now appear, we need mode 08: press the WARM button until 08 appears.
once 08 appears the diagnostic code(s) can be shown: press the COOL button
00 - no code
01 - mix valve feedback
02 - outside sensor open cct
04 - outside sensor short cct
08 - inside sensor open cct
16 - inside sensor short cct
any combination of the above codes will be the sum of the above codes (ie. 21 would mean code 16 and code 04 and code 01)
there's a lot to AC diagnostics but this should get you started!
to enter diagnostic mode: press and hold the EXT TEMP button and then press and release the AUTO button.
a diagnostic mode number will now appear, we need mode 08: press the WARM button until 08 appears.
once 08 appears the diagnostic code(s) can be shown: press the COOL button
00 - no code
01 - mix valve feedback
02 - outside sensor open cct
04 - outside sensor short cct
08 - inside sensor open cct
16 - inside sensor short cct
any combination of the above codes will be the sum of the above codes (ie. 21 would mean code 16 and code 04 and code 01)
there's a lot to AC diagnostics but this should get you started!
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Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 590
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From: Fisherville Kentucky
Re: A/C not blowing cold air (fast90)
Hmmm...for what it's worth - I also noticed that the green LED on the Electronic unit in the dash kept blinking on and off
wasn't long before car was very hot inside and so was I :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad
