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Help Diagnose A/C prob

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Old Aug 14, 2007 | 08:25 PM
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Default Help Diagnose A/C prob

Hi everyone... hope you can offer some insight. Driving down the highway the other day at a cool 70 degree cabin temperature, I hit the gas to go around another car. As I made my way back into the right lane the air conditioner stopped working. A/C light was still on, everything looked normal... it just wasnt blowing cold air anymore. That was a day ago and it still doesnt work. It actually seems like the fan blows stronger now, just hot. No big deal, just 100 or so degrees here in Tucson. I opened up the hood just to take a look and didnt really see anything except a little bubbling coolant coming from a pinhole in top of the coolant tank. What would cause that?? I'm sure this is totally unrelated to the A/C problem... yes? So whats my deal? If you have any input, try and dumb it down for me as much as possible... I'm very ignorant to how the whole A/C system really works.
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 02:07 AM
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Is your compressor clutch engaging? Check the DTC codes on the DIC and see if you have any HVAC codes.

Bill
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:20 AM
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No HVAC Codes!
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:42 AM
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Sounds like your compressor is not engaging may have lose wire at compressor clutch bad relay/switch.

ECM cuts the A/C out when you reach certain RPMS or Thorttle position
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 12:14 PM
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Could be a blown fuse, low on freon, or a loose connection at the compressor.

Like Bill said, Is the compressor clutch engaging when you turn the system on?

BC
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 03:35 PM
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You need to fix that coolant tank leak. You could try using some epoxy or buy a new tank. Dexcool turns muddy and solid when exposed to air leaks. Check your coolant and FIX THAT TANK !
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 04:24 PM
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I had some similar issues recently( see my post, and the one from Scoob about this). I was getting codes(361 and 441), so I reindexed the left side actuator. That eliminated the codes. The dealer checked the system, and added freon with dye. It worked for a day, and then went out again. Finally, they found a leak in the condenser with the dye, and replaced that. I will pick up the car today, as soon as my son gets here to give me a ride. I hope that is the end of this problem. The other suggestions mentioned here as to the cause of this should be checked too. AC systems are tricky, and it may be best to let a dealer you trust( did I actually say that?) check it out for you. Good luck.
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:30 PM
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I had the same thing happen to me last year. No codes and I could hear the clutch engage. When I was getting ready to check the system pressure I discovered that the A/C belt had broken. Sometimes, the answer is just too obvious.
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 11:55 PM
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Regarding your tank, they only cost $50. That top line that comes off of it probably is cracked therefore your radiator is no longer pressurized.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by my6thvette
I had the same thing happen to me last year. No codes and I could hear the clutch engage. When I was getting ready to check the system pressure I discovered that the A/C belt had broken. Sometimes, the answer is just too obvious.
Thats what I was thinking.
Tossed the belt and the system probably wouldnt throw a code.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 11:11 PM
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Belt it is!! I love this forum. HOw much is the dealership going to charge me to replace this thing? Doesnt look like I have the time to figure out how to get down in there myself. Thanks again guys. As far as the coolant tank goes, I got the thing cleaned up and now cant figure out where the hole is. Very small, very strange. I'll probably just replace the tank. If this is all I have to really deal with on a 120K mile car, I'm a happy camper!
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Old Aug 17, 2007 | 12:47 AM
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Take a chance do it. if you got a ratchet.
Your looking at least $150.
Go out and buy belts to take to dealer will be cheaper
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Old Aug 17, 2007 | 02:35 AM
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Originally Posted by afone
Belt it is!! I love this forum. HOw much is the dealership going to charge me to replace this thing? Doesnt look like I have the time to figure out how to get down in there myself. Thanks again guys. As far as the coolant tank goes, I got the thing cleaned up and now cant figure out where the hole is. Very small, very strange. I'll probably just replace the tank. If this is all I have to really deal with on a 120K mile car, I'm a happy camper!
My coolant tank cracked on the small plastic line coming out of the top of it under the hose. Just a hairline crack only and will guess that is where yours is leaking too.
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Old Aug 17, 2007 | 10:20 AM
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Default replace both belts with GATORBACKS

Originally Posted by jirasvet
Take a chance do it. if you got a ratchet.
Your looking at least $150.
Go out and buy belts to take to dealer will be cheaper
You have to put a socket drive wrench in the tensioner to loosen it enough to remove the belt that drives everything EXCEPT the AC. Get 2 NEW GATORBACK BELTS. Remove the normal belt and make sure you take note of how it goes around the pulleys. Even though there is a diagram I always make MY OWN DIAGRAM that I can UNDERSTAND. Do the AC first and then the accessory and you will be ahead at least $100 from what you will pay at the dealer. BIGHANK
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Old Aug 17, 2007 | 11:50 AM
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If you cant finger it out, Im in Phoenix and can help you.
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Old Aug 17, 2007 | 11:31 PM
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Well Gents... I'm reading these posts and feeling bad for not tackling this thing myself. I've recently replaced headlight motors and wheel bearings but I just didnt have the time to do this one myself. You guys were dead on, 150 bucks. What a rip eh? Tech said it was a pain in the **** but sheesh... 60 bucks for the belt? Yikes. Thanks again for all the words... now I will tackle the coolant tank! Easy replacement?
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldvetter
You need to fix that coolant tank leak. You could try using some epoxy or buy a new tank. Dexcool turns muddy and solid when exposed to air leaks. Check your coolant and FIX THAT TANK !

When it turns to the muddy sludge, it is miserable to flush out. I would definitely look to fixing it very soon.
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