Help with A/C & overheating problem
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Call me, I'm single
Help with A/C & overheating problem
Update: Found a huge sheet of thin plastic stuck to the radiator. Doh! Why didn't I look there first?!?! It covered about 75% of the whole surface area. Took it off and back to normal.
Perhaps the A/C shuts down automatically once operating temp gets too high?
Thanks all!
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I've noticed three times in the last few days that the A/C button light flickers or goes off by itself, implying that the compressor stopped. The cool air stops as well. At the same time I see the temperature guage go up by 15 degrees, from it's normal 220 degrees.
I'm trying to think, is there a belt problem, does the compressor drag and increase resistance against the engine, or what?
Any ideas before I'm at the mercy of the dealer or mechanic?
Perhaps the A/C shuts down automatically once operating temp gets too high?
Thanks all!
----------------------------------------
I've noticed three times in the last few days that the A/C button light flickers or goes off by itself, implying that the compressor stopped. The cool air stops as well. At the same time I see the temperature guage go up by 15 degrees, from it's normal 220 degrees.
I'm trying to think, is there a belt problem, does the compressor drag and increase resistance against the engine, or what?
Any ideas before I'm at the mercy of the dealer or mechanic?
Last edited by Conk; Aug 16, 2006 at 07:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
Im in Phoenix and I never see over 204 with the ac on and 109 outside. Maybe you have lots of crap in front of the radiator/condensor. So the AC head pressure could be getting high due to low airflow which kicks off the compressor. Or a fan could be bad.
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When the AC is on it forces the engine electric cooling fans on, so that explains why your engine temps go up when the AC goes off. I think I have heard that if your AC system is low on freon it will shut itself off, but maybe others can confirm that....
Thread Starter
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From: Call me, I'm single
Originally Posted by gpracer1
Im in Phoenix and I never see over 204 with the ac on and 109 outside. Maybe you have lots of crap in front of the radiator/condensor. So the AC head pressure could be getting high due to low airflow which kicks off the compressor. Or a fan could be bad.
Thanks again, I'll check for obstructions.
Any other ideas anyone? Edit: thanks drummer!
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Having similar heat issues..getting ready to pull everything out and give it a good cleaning....I try and clean that stuff all the time but I think its time for a good cleaning....next is new radiator 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
I installed a Honker a few weeks ago. Had to remove the shroud. There was so much crap in there. Before temps were about 214 and 220, now about 199 on the freeway and 203 in traffic. I used an air blow gun with the nozzle removed and inserted a 2 foot length of brake / trans cooler metal line with a 90 bend at the last 3/4 inch. Makes a great tool that you can stick between the rad and condensor. Took me 30 minutes of back to front and reverse blowing to get the crap out. After all that there was still 50% that was just stuck....mostly small pebbles.
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
My AC did not act up but just when I turn on my AC, my coolant temp jumps up like crazy and would go to red line if I don't turn off AC.
Clean up my radiator and condenser and everything back to normal.
Good luck!
-Mike
Clean up my radiator and condenser and everything back to normal.
Good luck!
-Mike
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Le Mans Master
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From: Plainfield IL
Are you talking coolant or oil temps? I think you're talking oil based on the numbers. Since I had my 99 FRC modded by LPE it runs hotter. Probably the headers. I watch the oil temp if I drive it hard, especially when outside temps are 90 or above. I'm talking about 216 as hot oil. If the outside temp is much more than 90 the car stays in the garage as I don't like using the a/c in a performance car.
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From: Call me, I'm single
Originally Posted by Red Vamp
Are you talking coolant or oil temps? I think you're talking oil based on the numbers. Since I had my 99 FRC modded by LPE it runs hotter. Probably the headers. I watch the oil temp if I drive it hard, especially when outside temps are 90 or above. I'm talking about 216 as hot oil. If the outside temp is much more than 90 the car stays in the garage as I don't like using the a/c in a performance car.
Thanks for all the replies!
