Air Conditioner Problem
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
Air Conditioner Problem
So about 2 summers ago (Summer 2014) I took the car in for a full AC service and they replaced everything, compressor, condensor, drier, etc. And all was well. Recently, when I put the AC down to the colder range (60-65) it doesn't get that cold, its not really hot either, its just not ice cold. Either I got screwed and they didn't really replace all that stuff or maybe something else is bad? Could a bad temperature sensor (that red ball thing on the dash vent) cause this issue? The heat works fine, and if I turn it down lower, like say from 85 to 75 there is a noticeable change indicating that it is working like it should. The car has the dual zone climate control. I have heard a lot that "it needs a recharge" is ususally just something people say when they're selling a car that has a broken AC component (like a compressor or something else that costs too much to replace). I park it in a garage and there are no leaks that I can see, no puddles. After reading the thread about stocking up on electrical parts now that the C5 is almost 20 years old I would like to score a temp sensor or two now while I can.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you turn on the AC,,, what does the AC indicator light do?
When the AC is ON, does the LARGER metal line under the hood & the receiver dryer get very cold?
When the AC button is first pressed, does the Compressor Clutch energize and the belt drive hub connects to the compressor drive hub (through the electric clutch)?
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you think that its LOW on charge, you really need to put a set of gages on the system to monitor the High and Low pressure sides of the system. Each pressure is a product of outside temp, humidity, fan speed and engine RPM.
Bill
When the AC is ON, does the LARGER metal line under the hood & the receiver dryer get very cold?
When the AC button is first pressed, does the Compressor Clutch energize and the belt drive hub connects to the compressor drive hub (through the electric clutch)?
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you think that its LOW on charge, you really need to put a set of gages on the system to monitor the High and Low pressure sides of the system. Each pressure is a product of outside temp, humidity, fan speed and engine RPM.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Follow Bills recommendations If this does not fix it--
Most common issues are
1. If your car has LT headers--then you must alter the A/C pressure line by bending it away from touching or being very close to your headers tubes on the pass side---Having the pressure line too close to the headers will not allow the A/C to throw cold air
2. Early C5's are known to have the HVAC displays to go out and fail--The lights on the dash for the heater --A/C and defrost go very dim and consequently won't work-- You can have them repaired for about $150 --Find where on the forum--
Most common issues are
1. If your car has LT headers--then you must alter the A/C pressure line by bending it away from touching or being very close to your headers tubes on the pass side---Having the pressure line too close to the headers will not allow the A/C to throw cold air
2. Early C5's are known to have the HVAC displays to go out and fail--The lights on the dash for the heater --A/C and defrost go very dim and consequently won't work-- You can have them repaired for about $150 --Find where on the forum--
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Did you use the dic to pull the codes or a scanner? Most of the handhelds will not pick up C5 hvac codes. Is the passenger side colder than the driver side? If so, and no codes, then there is a good possibility that it has a low charge and will need service.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
I always use the DIC since it is there and I won't have to buy anything else. No codes, and it is as you say, the pass side is coldish, so it must need a recharge. I'm taking it back to the place that did the work tomorrow.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
