AC issue
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 61
From: Port Huron MI
AC issue
I don't think I have ever used the AC in my car. However the other day I decided to toss it on and the AC button lights up and stays lit for maybe 2 seconds and then comes off and the air coming out is not cold. Am I doing something wrong or does this mean my AC has something wrong going on? just a little confused as to what the light not staying on means, Thanks! 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
Likes: 1,093
From: Dyer, IN
I don't think I have ever used the AC in my car. However the other day I decided to toss it on and the AC button lights up and stays lit for maybe 2 seconds and then comes off and the air coming out is not cold. Am I doing something wrong or does this mean my AC has something wrong going on? just a little confused as to what the light not staying on means, Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
could be A faulty outside air temp sensor?
The sensor is located on the right (passenger) side of the car, on the outside of the frame rail in the very front by the headlight.
It is held onto the mounting hole on the frame by a plastic push-in clip.
Just pull the clip out of the hole on the frame, release the plug for the wire (the plug has a release clip, pry up on the clip and the plug will release).
Then just put in the new one and you will be in business - it takes a few minutes of driving for the sensor to start reading the outside temp - you have to be moving.
GM Part # 10248414 is aprox. $10 from the dealer and just plugs in.
The sensors are either resistance temperature detectors (RTD's) or Thermistors. The resistance of the sensor changes with the temperature.
If you have any corrosion in any of the associated connectors it will increase the resistance that the climate controls is reading.
The resistance across the two sensor wires could be almost infinity,
in that case your display would read a low temp.
Once the old sensor is removed, the HVAC defaults to 69* and will let the AC turn on.
It is held onto the mounting hole on the frame by a plastic push-in clip.
Just pull the clip out of the hole on the frame, release the plug for the wire (the plug has a release clip, pry up on the clip and the plug will release).
Then just put in the new one and you will be in business - it takes a few minutes of driving for the sensor to start reading the outside temp - you have to be moving.
GM Part # 10248414 is aprox. $10 from the dealer and just plugs in.
The sensors are either resistance temperature detectors (RTD's) or Thermistors. The resistance of the sensor changes with the temperature.
If you have any corrosion in any of the associated connectors it will increase the resistance that the climate controls is reading.
The resistance across the two sensor wires could be almost infinity,
in that case your display would read a low temp.
Once the old sensor is removed, the HVAC defaults to 69* and will let the AC turn on.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 61
From: Port Huron MI
You know I have been noticing that the outside sensor hasn't been working worth a damn! It seems to be stuck around 58* all the time! I will unplug that and try the AC out and get a new sensor on the way!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 61
From: Port Huron MI
Unplugged the outside temp sensor and the HVAC defaulted to the 69* but the AC still didn't stay on. May be just low on freon! Thanks for the tip however, I appreciate all help/thoughts I can get!
