AC Mystery
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
AC Mystery
So here's the story: Purchased my first C5 4 months ago and AC blew cold. I noticed a slight wining sound when the AC was on, sounded like a belt or pulley was squeaking; didn't think anything of it. Fast forward a few weeks and there's no AC. I get codes for the blend door actuators (right and left side) and I replaced those this weekend. I can hear the new blend doors calibrating so I know they are functional. Still no AC. The heat works when switched to heat, but when switched to cold it is just vent air. I have tried to refill with Freon but the gauge says it's full; occasionally the gauge will go into the red territory where it says "see instructions". This is one of those gauges on the refill bottles of R134a. No more codes and still no AC.
Any suggestions?
Car:
2004 Corvette C5 with dual zone climate
Any suggestions?
Car:
2004 Corvette C5 with dual zone climate
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 216
From: Merritt Island, FL
Those can-with-a-gauge things from the parts store are useless for providing information about system pressures. You need to get a set of manifold gauges connected to see what the high and low pressure sides of the system are doing before attempting to diagnose the A/C system.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
Blend doors are one thing, deflector actuators are another. Do you have the ability to change the air flow path? If you select forward do you get air from the center vents? If not, then you very likely have a vacuum problem -- though it is easy to have both a vacuum issue and another issue at the same time. I certainly did.
When you are checking the low side pressure with your gage (or gage-on-a-can), is the engine running and A/C system switched on?
The 'take it to a pro' option can not be over-stated as the best option. Not sure about right now, but it used to be many local A/C shops would do a service and check for a very reasonable price. Ice Cold Air here in Orlando charges $40 for a diagnostic.
That said, does the gage you have read pressure, or just red/green? With the engine off for some time, overnight perhaps, the low side pressure should be very close to outdoor temperature. If the low side pressure is much above ambient with the engine off and cold, then you may well be overfilled.
When you are checking the low side pressure with your gage (or gage-on-a-can), is the engine running and A/C system switched on?
The 'take it to a pro' option can not be over-stated as the best option. Not sure about right now, but it used to be many local A/C shops would do a service and check for a very reasonable price. Ice Cold Air here in Orlando charges $40 for a diagnostic.
That said, does the gage you have read pressure, or just red/green? With the engine off for some time, overnight perhaps, the low side pressure should be very close to outdoor temperature. If the low side pressure is much above ambient with the engine off and cold, then you may well be overfilled.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
Blend doors are one thing, deflector actuators are another. Do you have the ability to change the air flow path? If you select forward do you get air from the center vents? If not, then you very likely have a vacuum problem -- though it is easy to have both a vacuum issue and another issue at the same time. I certainly did.
When you are checking the low side pressure with your gage (or gage-on-a-can), is the engine running and A/C system switched on?
The 'take it to a pro' option can not be over-stated as the best option. Not sure about right now, but it used to be many local A/C shops would do a service and check for a very reasonable price. Ice Cold Air here in Orlando charges $40 for a diagnostic.
That said, does the gage you have read pressure, or just red/green? With the engine off for some time, overnight perhaps, the low side pressure should be very close to outdoor temperature. If the low side pressure is much above ambient with the engine off and cold, then you may well be overfilled.
When you are checking the low side pressure with your gage (or gage-on-a-can), is the engine running and A/C system switched on?
The 'take it to a pro' option can not be over-stated as the best option. Not sure about right now, but it used to be many local A/C shops would do a service and check for a very reasonable price. Ice Cold Air here in Orlando charges $40 for a diagnostic.
That said, does the gage you have read pressure, or just red/green? With the engine off for some time, overnight perhaps, the low side pressure should be very close to outdoor temperature. If the low side pressure is much above ambient with the engine off and cold, then you may well be overfilled.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,566
Likes: 3,307
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I notice that you live in Norfolk, VA. Take the car to Lakeside Auto in Richmond, VA. Their number is 804-266-2553. Ask for Scott. They are the best Corvette shop in VA, and they don't overcharge like the dealership. Also, I 100% guarantee that Scott knows more about C5 Corvettes than a dealer tech who likely doesn't see 20 year old Corvettes very often. I know it's a bit of a hike, but it will be worth your time. You'll get the problem diagnosed and fixed correctly for a good price.