Wonkey AC
Thread Starter
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
Wonkey AC
hi guys. my aC crapped out, assuming it was freon, I added some. the air started to work, but only on the passenger side. I ran diags and I got a probelm with an AC circuit. a tech says the head unit is out but looking on line it sounds like the driver side actuator could be the issue.
any way of figuring out which one without throwing parts at it? and anyone have a ballpark on how much the actuators are? the had unit seems to be around $300
any way of figuring out which one without throwing parts at it? and anyone have a ballpark on how much the actuators are? the had unit seems to be around $300
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
They're about $90 if you've got the dual zone system. Any auto parts store has em. I've seen them on sale too. They're a horrible ripoff, it's the same parts as it is for the non-climate controlled system, but sans a pot in there, and those are 1/2 the price. However, they won't work without some serious mods to it. (I have done it though).
If they're not calibrating, they should throw a code.
They're not real fun to swap out, just fyi. Not impossible, but certainly not in an easy spot.
If they're not calibrating, they should throw a code.
They're not real fun to swap out, just fyi. Not impossible, but certainly not in an easy spot.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
hi guys. my aC crapped out, assuming it was freon, I added some. the air started to work, but only on the passenger side. I ran diags and I got a probelm with an AC circuit. a tech says the head unit is out but looking on line it sounds like the driver side actuator could be the issue.
any way of figuring out which one without throwing parts at it? and anyone have a ballpark on how much the actuators are? the had unit seems to be around $300
any way of figuring out which one without throwing parts at it? and anyone have a ballpark on how much the actuators are? the had unit seems to be around $300
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
I wish they didn't sell R134 in recharge cans. A car never gets 'low on freon' without a problem that needs solving, and charging an 'empty' system (really a system full of air and probably moisture) is just a disaster.
Thread Starter
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
anyway, Iwhen i saw all the codes i figured most were from the battery swap and i was right they all went away and have not reappeared
Thread Starter
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
the lil darlin is 14. she's due some aches and pains
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Mark, I had a similar issue years back. Here's a thread I made on the subject that has some pics and text that might help you. The part you want starts down about 10 posts or so.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-hates-me.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-hates-me.html
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Until you get it repaired I would bet another can of 134 will get it operating as it should. At least for a while.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
True, but many older car develop very small slow leaks and can benefit from a quick recharge from a can. It only postpones the inevitable but it is a lot cheaper than an expensive repair. Agree you should never recharge an empty system this way. Only for topping off a system that has slowly leaked down.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
this was 2 weeks ago
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Kinda know what you mean. I finally got my motor installed from a 11 month hiatus. Well wouldn't you know it, on the ride home (80+* outside) I wanted to run some AC. Nothing but hot air. Compressor was changed 5 years ago with a reman. verified it was working so took it to a locale shop and recharged the system as they said it was very low. Performance shop said they never disconnected any lines, just ziptied the compressor to the frame. My car is an 01 and it has never been charged while in my possession and ive had it since 45k and she just crossed 120k. 14 year old car....im not complaining having to recharge the system only once. So far its been working great with ICE cold air! this was 2 weeks ago
this was 2 weeks agoYou took your car to a shop, where they were able to tell you had some pressure in the system and top you up. Now, in your case you might not need another topoff again because the leak could have been caused by stress on the lines with how they manouvered the compressor. Hard to say. If it goes out again, though, you'll need to find and fix the leak or you're just throwing R134a into the atmosphere.
I can't stand the $45 'recharge' cans with attached hose that they sell at auto parts stores. You can't just connect a can to a dead system and expect everything to be great, but that's exactly what it says on the bottle. I think they're probably being pushed by the A/C compressor companies to keep them in business....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
They're about $90 if you've got the dual zone system. Any auto parts store has em. I've seen them on sale too. They're a horrible ripoff, it's the same parts as it is for the non-climate controlled system, but sans a pot in there, and those are 1/2 the price. However, they won't work without some serious mods to it. (I have done it though).
If they're not calibrating, they should throw a code.
They're not real fun to swap out, just fyi. Not impossible, but certainly not in an easy spot.
If they're not calibrating, they should throw a code.
They're not real fun to swap out, just fyi. Not impossible, but certainly not in an easy spot.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sues-help.html
Last edited by 92GA; Apr 25, 2015 at 11:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
well the guy that i was talking to said it's a grand to replace both actuators. is that crazy stupid or on target?
can a shade tree mechanic really replace them?
can a shade tree mechanic really replace them?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
The actuators are NOT the same for a manual system and the duel zone systems. And rock auto has the wrong part number for the duel zone actuators, the ones they sell won't work on a C5 with duel zone. Just had a couple threads on this in the last couple weeks.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sues-help.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sues-help.html
He's out of his mind. An hour under the dash and you can do them both for $200. It's a couple screws each (3 I think) and one electrical connector. They're just in a real tough spot to get to is all. I did mine without removing the dash, but I think the svc manual calls for that.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
Question... I have a 1999 with the same issue, AC didnt work when I bought the car so I had a company look at it and they said I was low on refridgerent and had a leak somewhere. They filled it and it worked great, the next summer I only had AC on the passanger side not the drivers. I started thinking its the actuator gear that is broken but am also reading threads where it could be the leak/low freon causing this isue?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
Question... I have a 1999 with the same issue, AC didnt work when I bought the car so I had a company look at it and they said I was low on refridgerent and had a leak somewhere. They filled it and it worked great, the next summer I only had AC on the passanger side not the drivers. I started thinking its the actuator gear that is broken but am also reading threads where it could be the leak/low freon causing this isue?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Question... I have a 1999 with the same issue, AC didnt work when I bought the car so I had a company look at it and they said I was low on refridgerent and had a leak somewhere. They filled it and it worked great, the next summer I only had AC on the passanger side not the drivers. I started thinking its the actuator gear that is broken but am also reading threads where it could be the leak/low freon causing this isue?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Im thinking I should try to re-charge it with a can from Walmart before attempting the actuator replacement. Are all C5s r134?
Thread Starter
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
I got his estimate. actuators $277 and the head unit @ 600 ... Labor is reasonable @ $100
anyone have a part# for the dual zone control module? I know i can find one for less than 6, but I need a part number
anyone have a part# for the dual zone control module? I know i can find one for less than 6, but I need a part number
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Wait, why is he replacing the head unit at the same time? Put in new actuators and see if it solves the problem; how could he possibly diagnose a bad head unit with faulty actuators in place....