Help Diagnose A/C prob
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
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From: Sahuarita AZ
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.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
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
Like Bill said, Is the compressor clutch engaging when you turn the system on?
BC
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
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From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,085
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From: Broken Arrow OK
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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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
Tossed the belt and the system probably wouldnt throw a code.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
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From: Sahuarita AZ
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!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
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!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
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From: Silver Spring MD
replace both belts with GATORBACKS
BIGHANK
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
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From: Sahuarita AZ
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?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Roswell GA
When it turns to the muddy sludge, it is miserable to flush out. I would definitely look to fixing it very soon.