A/C questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: southern rural MI
A/C questions
2000 Convertible with 54k.
It hit the 80F mark here in MI over the weekend so figured I'd check out how the A/C was working.
Started the car and let it idle until coolant reached 190F, then turned on the A/C.
It feels a bit warm unless I set the temp all the way down on the dual zone controller.
I hooked up my gauges and both low and high pressure sides are in the green but on the low side.
I added a can of R134a and both pressures increased to the middle of the green range.
A/C still feels a bit warm.
Compressor cycles normally.
Is it normal for the A/C to feel a bit warm unless the temperature setting is at it's lowest?
I have a digital Fluke thermometer. What would be a normal cold air temp from the vents if the system is fully charged?
Thanks so much,
RPGR90s
It hit the 80F mark here in MI over the weekend so figured I'd check out how the A/C was working.
Started the car and let it idle until coolant reached 190F, then turned on the A/C.
It feels a bit warm unless I set the temp all the way down on the dual zone controller.
I hooked up my gauges and both low and high pressure sides are in the green but on the low side.
I added a can of R134a and both pressures increased to the middle of the green range.
A/C still feels a bit warm.
Compressor cycles normally.
Is it normal for the A/C to feel a bit warm unless the temperature setting is at it's lowest?
I have a digital Fluke thermometer. What would be a normal cold air temp from the vents if the system is fully charged?
Thanks so much,
RPGR90s
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
...I hooked up my gauges and both low and high pressure sides are in the green but on the low side.
I added a can of R134a and both pressures increased to the middle of the green range.
A/C still feels a bit warm.
Compressor cycles normally.
Is it normal for the A/C to feel a bit warm unless the temperature setting is at it's lowest?
I have a digital Fluke thermometer. What would be a normal cold air temp from the vents if the system is fully charged?...
I added a can of R134a and both pressures increased to the middle of the green range.
A/C still feels a bit warm.
Compressor cycles normally.
Is it normal for the A/C to feel a bit warm unless the temperature setting is at it's lowest?
I have a digital Fluke thermometer. What would be a normal cold air temp from the vents if the system is fully charged?...
Doesn't have to be top-of-the-line and uber expensive. One from Harbor Freight would be fine (or get a free loaner from an auto parts store).
Although not essential, a thermometer will give you a better idea of the A/C system health. You mentioned you have one, but in any case you can get for around 5 bucks:
Pressures vary not only with temperature, but with humidity and the RPMs of the engine. Don't add refrigerant blindly.
Check both pressures to have an idea of how things are. Take a look at this Post. It has detailed instructions to check/add refrigerant.
-These are the CliffsNotes:
Check your pressures against the chart below (you'll need to determine ambient temperature and humidity first). Make sure you take your readings with:
- Engine @ 2000 rpm
- A/C in coldest setting
- Fan at maximum speed
- Both windows down
- Thermometer in center air vent
When adding refrigerant, pay attention to both pressures, otherwise you might end up with the high side sky-high trying to get the low side to the chart's value.
Let us know how it goes.
Last edited by GCG; May 20, 2019 at 11:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
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From: southern rural MI
GCG,
Thanks for that excellent info.
I meant to say manifold A/C gauges. I don't recall the actual pressures except the low side was around 35psi perhaps.
I have a digital Fluke thermometer (dual channel) so I should be able to measure exact temps.
Appreciate it!
Thanks for that excellent info.
I meant to say manifold A/C gauges. I don't recall the actual pressures except the low side was around 35psi perhaps.
I have a digital Fluke thermometer (dual channel) so I should be able to measure exact temps.
Appreciate it!
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 the charge is DIT DOT correct, you still have to have two fully operating TEMPERATURE BLEND DOORS to make the air the temp you desire.
Pull up the DTC using the DIC. See if you have any DTC in the HVAC module My guess is you have a HVAC DTC B-0361 - B-0367 DTC. The Temp Blend Doors need to be able to fully adjust to block off the HEATER CORE and open the AC COOLING COILS for the cooling.
Pull up and list all your DTCs using the DIC.
BC
Pull up the DTC using the DIC. See if you have any DTC in the HVAC module My guess is you have a HVAC DTC B-0361 - B-0367 DTC. The Temp Blend Doors need to be able to fully adjust to block off the HEATER CORE and open the AC COOLING COILS for the cooling.
Pull up and list all your DTCs using the DIC.
BC
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 383
From: southern rural MI
If the charge is DIT DOT correct, you still have to have two fully operating TEMPERATURE BLEND DOORS to make the air the temp you desire.
Pull up the DTC using the DIC. See if you have any DTC in the HVAC module My guess is you have a HVAC DTC B-0361 - B-0367 DTC. The Temp Blend Doors need to be able to fully adjust to block off the HEATER CORE and open the AC COOLING COILS for the cooling.
Pull up and list all your DTCs using the DIC.
BC
Pull up the DTC using the DIC. See if you have any DTC in the HVAC module My guess is you have a HVAC DTC B-0361 - B-0367 DTC. The Temp Blend Doors need to be able to fully adjust to block off the HEATER CORE and open the AC COOLING COILS for the cooling.
Pull up and list all your DTCs using the DIC.
BC
I never thought of that scenario but it makes sense. I'll pull the codes after work today.
Thank You,
RPGR90s
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 383
From: southern rural MI
A/c
I ran the code check last night and HVAC and all the other systems are showing no codes.
When the weather warms a bit, I'll run some air temperature readings out of the vents, but it doesn't appear that the right or left blend doors are the problem.
RPGR90s
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
For a troubleshooting process to be effective, potential issues along the logical line of thought need to be checked and eliminated before moving on to the next one in the queue. You need solid grounds, with no loose ends, along the way to make branching decisions, otherwise it becomes a guessing game and doubts will persist
Last edited by GCG; May 22, 2019 at 05:06 PM.
