Cold too.
A/C sucks!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: White Hall Ar
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Erie County, Pennsylvania
Stop Being a Cheap *** ....
DG
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
hey guys... today i spent a while trying to diagnose my a/c issues.. all the posts you guys left helped alot and i found the vacuum check valve and vacuum line under the battery compartment which seem to be a problem quite often.. well when i cut my wire bundle it was obvious to me that previously a splice was made on the vacuum line and i couldnt find any other areas on the line that were damaged... i did notice battery acid corrosion when i removed the battery and battery tray, and i poured a solution of baking soda/water to nutruelize the corrosion and rinsed it good with water.. i found the reservoir and looked at the check valve and also didnt find any evidence of malfunction so i'm kinda at a standstill so i figured it would be best to see if you guys could direct me further.. basically without tearing down my body panels more i couldnt find anything that couldve caused my issues.. is there any tests i could run to find out if i'm getting proper suction? oh yea and my freon level is at about 45 psi with the engine running and a/c on full.. and as far as inspecting the evaporater, i dont have any service manuals and finding it is easier said than done
i work on military aircraft for a living and believe it or not but working on a corvette is much different, not necessarily more difficult... i'm just not adjusted.. but thanks to you guys i'm learning!
i work on military aircraft for a living and believe it or not but working on a corvette is much different, not necessarily more difficult... i'm just not adjusted.. but thanks to you guys i'm learning!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Hang on just a dog gone minute! 45 PSI???????????
If the engine is running, (engine RPM at around 1000) the AC Compressor is on and pumping Freon, you shouldnt have any more than 25 psi on the suction side. Temp and humidity will effect the reading but not that much!!
If your reading 45 PSI,,,either the compressor is NOT pumping /is off or your way over charged.Over charged is worse than under charged. You need to determine if the compressor is running or not. If its running, you should be able to feel the suction line (aluminum pipe between the battery sorround and the engine near cyl#7 with the larger black recharge cap) and it should be COLD!
Theres a test that you can do to see if the system is charged. Engine off and cold, AC system off. Measure the pressure in the low and high side. They should both read 50 PSI.
Thats why Im wondering if your compressor is working???
BC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
Hang on just a dog gone minute! 45 PSI??????????? If the engine is running, (engine RPM at around 1000) the AC Compressor is on and pumping Freon, you shouldnt have any more than 25 psi on the suction side. Temp and humidity will effect the reading but not that much!! If your reading 45 PSI,,,either the compressor is NOT pumping /is off or your way over charged.
Over charged is worse than under charged. You need to determine if the compressor is running or not. If its running, you should be able to feel the suction line (aluminum pipe between the battery sorround and the engine near cyl#7 with the larger black recharge cap) and it should be COLD!
Theres a test that you can do to see if the system is charged. Engine off and cold, AC system off. Measure the pressure in the low and high side. They should both read 50 PSI. Thats why Im wondering if your compressor is working???
BC
If the engine is running, (engine RPM at around 1000) the AC Compressor is on and pumping Freon, you shouldnt have any more than 25 psi on the suction side. Temp and humidity will effect the reading but not that much!! If your reading 45 PSI,,,either the compressor is NOT pumping /is off or your way over charged.Over charged is worse than under charged. You need to determine if the compressor is running or not. If its running, you should be able to feel the suction line (aluminum pipe between the battery sorround and the engine near cyl#7 with the larger black recharge cap) and it should be COLD!
Theres a test that you can do to see if the system is charged. Engine off and cold, AC system off. Measure the pressure in the low and high side. They should both read 50 PSI.
Thats why Im wondering if your compressor is working??? BC
well in the mean time i was kinda frantic so i used my cell phone to get on here and search for headlight issues.. i found where somebody had voltage issues and it stood out to me.. well i started the car and held the rpms at 1500 for a min or so to see if maybe the ballasts werent gettting charged properly.. well the lights then worked right!.. so i drive back to the hotel, paranoid the whole time with the a/c off, while staring at the battery voltage the whole time... it stayed around 13.2- 13.4.. well today i tested it during the day with the a/c on and the voltage was down to a steady 12.6 in heavy traffic, mainly at idle rpm so while checkin out the reflection of my headlight in the cars bumper in front of me, sure enough the damn lights started flashing!.. so now i know its somehow related to low voltage from running the a/c, mainly at idle and slow speeds w/our any alternator rpm.. does anybody know what kind of freakin ghosts have taken over my vette!!??
sorry for the long post!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
hey bill.. yes the engine was running with the ac on high and then line was cold and frosty like a beer can.. and the psi was at 45... i thought that was a little high... but see here's where my issues get even wierder... the air that comes out is plenty cold and it eventually cools off the cabin, even on a hot day... but the other day i was ridin down the road with the air on high and it was blowin through all the vents like it normally does and out of nowhere it started working correctly(and this is after i took the battery/tray out and messed with everything). well i turned the ac off then back on to see if it would still work right and it didnt... well it did it one more time to only go back to crap again shortly after... then i go to walmart and as i'm leavin walmart i turn on my headlights(8000k purchased from a forum vendor) ,they are flashin like freakin strobe lights... well after i get out and wiggle some wires and play with some things they finally quit strobing.. well now i'm in tn for vacation and once again we leave a restaurant at night and the crap starts strobing again.. so i do the same thing i did b4 and nothing!.. it still keeps strobing.. so as i'm drawing attention and trying to fix my problem while starting to fume at the saem time, i finally get pissed enough and shut off the car for a few mins to see if it will just "go away" well in the mean time i was kinda frantic so i used my cell phone to get on here and search for headlight issues.. i found where somebody had voltage issues and it stood out to me.. well i started the car and held the rpms at 1500 for a min or so to see if maybe the ballasts werent gettting charged properly.. well the lights then worked right!.. so i drive back to the hotel, paranoid the whole time with the a/c off, while staring at the battery voltage the whole time... it stayed around 13.2- 13.4.. well today i tested it during the day with the a/c on and the voltage was down to a steady 12.6 in heavy traffic, mainly at idle rpm so while checkin out the reflection of my headlight in the cars bumper in front of me, sure enough the damn lights started flashing!.. so now i know its somehow related to low voltage from running the a/c, mainly at idle and slow speeds w/our any alternator rpm.. does anybody know what kind of freakin ghosts have taken over my vette!!??
sorry for the long post!
well in the mean time i was kinda frantic so i used my cell phone to get on here and search for headlight issues.. i found where somebody had voltage issues and it stood out to me.. well i started the car and held the rpms at 1500 for a min or so to see if maybe the ballasts werent gettting charged properly.. well the lights then worked right!.. so i drive back to the hotel, paranoid the whole time with the a/c off, while staring at the battery voltage the whole time... it stayed around 13.2- 13.4.. well today i tested it during the day with the a/c on and the voltage was down to a steady 12.6 in heavy traffic, mainly at idle rpm so while checkin out the reflection of my headlight in the cars bumper in front of me, sure enough the damn lights started flashing!.. so now i know its somehow related to low voltage from running the a/c, mainly at idle and slow speeds w/our any alternator rpm.. does anybody know what kind of freakin ghosts have taken over my vette!!?? sorry for the long post!
Sounds like you have a loose / dirty ground or a bad connection somewhere. Start looking at all the grounds and connectors. I would also start looking at the HID install connections.
If you have low alternator output start at the battery and follow all those cables down to the starter. Also check the battery terminal connections.
BC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
Sounds like you have a loose / dirty ground or a bad connection somewhere. Start looking at all the grounds and connectors. I would also start looking at the HID install connections.
If you have low alternator output start at the battery and follow all those cables down to the starter. Also check the battery terminal connections.
BC
If you have low alternator output start at the battery and follow all those cables down to the starter. Also check the battery terminal connections.
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you plan on keeping your car, get the manuals. Try the forum for sale section, amazon, e-bay and you will find manuals for around 60 bucks.
If you beg loud enough, someone with an electronic copy might front you a schematic.
BC
If you beg loud enough, someone with an electronic copy might front you a schematic.
BC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
... no but i reckon i should buy the manuals.. it would help many a times to come!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
The vacuum lines are not typical rubber lines. There hard black plastic (nylon) tubes and there run inside the wiring harnesses. Your going to need to follow the line into the harness from the back of the manifold and if necessary, cut open the bundle of wires if you don't have vacuum at the other end.
Here are some Pict's of vacuum lines. The vacuum source starts at the back of the intake manifold at the MAP sensor.
The line with the 90 Deg boot is the main vacuum line that connect to the vacuum reservoir.
RESERVOIR in the passengers fender well:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/bill327/Vacuum_Tank-01.jpg">
Here is where he vacuum line out of the reservoir connects to on the HVAC UNIT UNDER THE DASH.
Oh by the way, here is the access in the passengers front fender well:
BC
Here are some Pict's of vacuum lines. The vacuum source starts at the back of the intake manifold at the MAP sensor.
The line with the 90 Deg boot is the main vacuum line that connect to the vacuum reservoir.
RESERVOIR in the passengers fender well:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/bill327/Vacuum_Tank-01.jpg">
Here is where he vacuum line out of the reservoir connects to on the HVAC UNIT UNDER THE DASH.
Oh by the way, here is the access in the passengers front fender well:
BC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
If you have a "glass" top, try using the new sun shield by Downsouthvettes, I got one and it works and looks great !
I can turn my A/C down at least 2 levels.
Here is the post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743261
I can turn my A/C down at least 2 levels.
Here is the post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743261
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jul 15, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 966
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix AZ
Hang on just a dog gone minute! 45 PSI??????????? If the engine is running, (engine RPM at around 1000) the AC Compressor is on and pumping Freon, you shouldnt have any more than 25 psi on the suction side. Temp and humidity will effect the reading but not that much!! If your reading 45 PSI,,,either the compressor is NOT pumping /is off or your way over charged.
Over charged is worse than under charged. You need to determine if the compressor is running or not. If its running, you should be able to feel the suction line (aluminum pipe between the battery sorround and the engine near cyl#7 with the larger black recharge cap) and it should be COLD!
Theres a test that you can do to see if the system is charged. Engine off and cold, AC system off. Measure the pressure in the low and high side. They should both read 50 PSI. Thats why Im wondering if your compressor is working???
BC
If the engine is running, (engine RPM at around 1000) the AC Compressor is on and pumping Freon, you shouldnt have any more than 25 psi on the suction side. Temp and humidity will effect the reading but not that much!! If your reading 45 PSI,,,either the compressor is NOT pumping /is off or your way over charged.Over charged is worse than under charged. You need to determine if the compressor is running or not. If its running, you should be able to feel the suction line (aluminum pipe between the battery sorround and the engine near cyl#7 with the larger black recharge cap) and it should be COLD!
Theres a test that you can do to see if the system is charged. Engine off and cold, AC system off. Measure the pressure in the low and high side. They should both read 50 PSI.
Thats why Im wondering if your compressor is working??? BC
Could this mean there is too much freon in the system? If so, can I purge some through the low-side valve? Does the a/c system have some sort of safety purge valve if pressures get too high? It might also be worthwhile to note that on a really hot day the a/c turns off by itself sometimes when I first start it up. The light on the dash will turn off, I'll turn it back on, it'll go off, and then come back and stay on...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: CT
Yea, I to am having trouble with my A/C too. But up to this point had no complaints after I installed insulation under the carpet in the floor, tranny hump and behind the seats and all under the carpet in the hatch area. Really helped keep the car cool and the A/C was actually able to run on a lower speed even with temps in the 90's and up. Also buying a cover to place up into the glass top if you have a coupe really helps tremendously. Please post if you find the answers. Also here is a link to a great do it yourself which I am thinking about trying.
It is by Plasticfan and located on the C5 Tech Homepage, under The Ultimate DIY Thread with Pics about half way down-post #11.
SHOWS EXACTLYHOW TO RECHARGE
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1817090
It is by Plasticfan and located on the C5 Tech Homepage, under The Ultimate DIY Thread with Pics about half way down-post #11.
SHOWS EXACTLYHOW TO RECHARGE
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1817090
Last edited by glkfam; Mar 8, 2008 at 08:32 PM.
