My 98 vert has dual climate control and the drivers side does not get as cold as the passenger side. thanks to the many forum posts I have removed the dash and replace both temp actuators. I also have had the freon checked. The issue I have is that the drivers side will get cool (not cold) when the car is stopped and idling but when I am driving the drivers side a/c warms up. It is still a little cool but not as cold as the passenger side. Any ideas?

 

Bill Curlee posted that the system could still be low on freon.
Does your compressor stay on the whole time?

I thought I read another post that said there is a control switch inside the compressor, so the compressor may need to be replaced.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SebringSixSpeed

Any of you A/C gurus care to take a guess as to why my C5 would blow 45 degree air at the vents while the car is sitting still at idle, but go up to 60+ degrees while going down the road?

YES! That issue would indicate that your system Pressure is low (undercharged). There is a pressure switch in the high pressure line and if the line pressure drops below spec, it turns the compressor OFF until the pressure returns to normal. As you drive down the road, you raise the operating RPM of the compressor. The condenser has lots of air moving over it removing heat more efficiently. That caused the LOW side of the compressor to draw more than the high side can put out and that causes a depletion of low side pressure and the compressor to shut off during that period. However,,,you could also have a plugged orifice tube, The ONLY way to know for sure is to monitor the high and low side pressures and know the environmental conditions.

From another post where it appears the low pressure side was too high.
Theres a pressure regulating valve inside the compressor. Thats most likely bad. You just need to replace the compressor, the receiver dryer, the orifice tube and all the necessary oil for the new parts.

 

Thanks TEXHAWK0, the passenger side stays cold so I am guessing the compressor is staying on.

 

Mine seems to have the same symptoms as yours.
Both sides cool the same when setting still, but when I start moving, the right side stays cold, and the center vent temp. goes up.

I keep thinking it is a control problem since the right side stays cool, but I need to check the freon pressures to make sure that is right.

What is even more confusing, when I am driving and put it on recirculate, the center vent cools back down.

Even on automatic, if I start moving and it cannot keep up, it switches to recirculate. When it cools down again, the system will switch back to outside air.

Does yours make a difference if it is outside or inside air?

 

$50 on low on freon. My bonneville did the same thing. Pass side was cold the drivers side was not. only a couple things could cause this..
* Low Freon (most likely)
* Air blend door not acutating (so its not allowing the cold air to be sent to the driver side)
* Air temp sensor for driver side not working correctly (car thinks its cold but its not)

Again low freon will be the most common reason. If you have a full evac done to the system and recharge, this would be a good time to swap the expansion valve/Orifice with a variable one.. will give you better cooling at idle and hot climates and they are like $20. But make sure whoever evacs and charges the system uses the correct ammount of oil to keep the compressor happy

S

 

I decided to add a little freon yesterday, and that seems to have fixed the problem.. Both sides are about equal temp. now, and when driving around 40 MPH, the center duct is putting out 40 degree air.

A quick check to see if freon is close to the right level is to check the low pressure line to the accumulator behind the battery... If the line is just starting to collect moisture, the freon is close.

 

I had had the same problem so went to the auto store and got the refrigerant with the gauge for about $32 and 5 minutes latter problem solved. Not good to get the synthetic unless that's what your car has and make sure you get the one with the gauge. When it is empty next time you can buy just the can and save some money if you keep the gauge. I had about a half can left and noticed my truck a/c not getting as cold as it should so I topped it off also. Ice cold now.