C7 A/C not cold enough?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
The picture is there to show just how easy it is to verify the above conditions, and if your c7 car cannot do this then you should consider taking it in for service. The notes with the picture reveal the car was being driven at highway speed, outside air temp was 91 when the test was performed and the picture was taken.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 28, 2018 at 10:48 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,255
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
Let me help you then. The very first line in my post says exactly --> "Typical outlet air temp for a GM ac system on max air, blower speed on low is going to be around the 39 to 43 degree mark".
The picture is there to show just how easy it is to verify the above conditions, and if your c7 car cannot do this then you should consider taking it in for service. The notes with the picture reveal the car was being driven at highway speed and outside air temp was 91.
The picture is there to show just how easy it is to verify the above conditions, and if your c7 car cannot do this then you should consider taking it in for service. The notes with the picture reveal the car was being driven at highway speed and outside air temp was 91.
You said the "Typical GM temp" was which is questionable, especially as you referenced a different car than which was originally posted. Looking back at your post, it may have been better to say " stick a thermometer in the vent to see what is actually happening on your car."
At this point it would only be helpful to know what is normal on any given setting coming out of a C7's vent.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Ok, let me redirect.
You said the "Typical GM temp" was which is questionable, especially as you referenced a different car than which was originally posted. Looking back at your post, it may have been better to say " stick a thermometer in the vent to see what is actually happening on your car."
At this point it would only be helpful to know what is normal on any given setting coming out of a C7's vent.
You said the "Typical GM temp" was which is questionable, especially as you referenced a different car than which was originally posted. Looking back at your post, it may have been better to say " stick a thermometer in the vent to see what is actually happening on your car."
At this point it would only be helpful to know what is normal on any given setting coming out of a C7's vent.
I said "typical outlet air temp for a gm ac system" because I didn't want to explain how its actually typical for all cars across all manufacturers. AC systems are not designed to go close to thirty two degrees because the evaporator core could turn into a block of ice, but they have to be able to get to the high thirties, low forties range, (under the circumstances I have already described previously) or it wont be sufficient to cool the car. Im not interested in explaining how outside air temp and relative humidity can effect an ac system but those variables make a big difference, which is why I use adjectives such as "typical" and am not talking in terms of the absolute.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 28, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Same for me as well. Our Lexus will freeze you to death set at 68 degrees, the Corvette on the lowest setting doesn't get nearly as cold.
I've notice it is even worse when the car has sat outside. Here's a scenario:
It is 100 degrees outside. I leave the house (car parked in the garage) and the AC blows very comfortably until I reach my destination. Let's say I'm driving 10 miles to Best Buy to gawk at the new TVs. After drooling over 80" televisions in 4k HDR for 30 minutes, I return to my car to head home. It is still 100 degrees outside. However, the AC, with the same settings, doesn't get nearly as cold as before. It can take 10+ minutes to get as cold as before, sometimes more if I'm driving slowly in the city with 30 mph speed limits and plenty of stop lights.
Comparatively, the same exact scenario in the Lexus, getting back in the car after leaving Best Buy and the AC will be ice cold in under 2 minutes.
I've notice it is even worse when the car has sat outside. Here's a scenario:
It is 100 degrees outside. I leave the house (car parked in the garage) and the AC blows very comfortably until I reach my destination. Let's say I'm driving 10 miles to Best Buy to gawk at the new TVs. After drooling over 80" televisions in 4k HDR for 30 minutes, I return to my car to head home. It is still 100 degrees outside. However, the AC, with the same settings, doesn't get nearly as cold as before. It can take 10+ minutes to get as cold as before, sometimes more if I'm driving slowly in the city with 30 mph speed limits and plenty of stop lights.
Comparatively, the same exact scenario in the Lexus, getting back in the car after leaving Best Buy and the AC will be ice cold in under 2 minutes.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
There is quite a lot of validity to testing in that way. I just started doing it my way, because I got sick of trying to decide how much the outside air temp and relative humidity were changing my testing results. On max air you sort of remove those variables. Blower on low, will show me the absolute lowest temp the system can achieve.
Testing for the absolute lowest outlet temp only really tells you what the minimum evaporator pressure is, and if your expansion valve is working properly, which can be helpful. You'll need to test at full blower and non-recirc to tell if you have a low refrigerant charge, bad compressor, condenser fan issue, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
The service manuals have a chart which will show you the outlet temp for various ambient temperature and humidity conditions.
Testing for the absolute lowest outlet temp only really tells you what the minimum evaporator pressure is, and if your expansion valve is working properly, which can be helpful. You'll need to test at full blower and non-recirc to tell if you have a low refrigerant charge, bad compressor, condenser fan issue, etc.
Testing for the absolute lowest outlet temp only really tells you what the minimum evaporator pressure is, and if your expansion valve is working properly, which can be helpful. You'll need to test at full blower and non-recirc to tell if you have a low refrigerant charge, bad compressor, condenser fan issue, etc.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 29, 2018 at 07:01 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I can't help with a solution, but I live in AZ and the AC is set for 72 degrees all year round. No tinted windows, and have a transparent top. Best AC I have ever had in a car.
I bought one of those suction type covers for the transparent top, but have never needed it. With the temps we have here there is definitely something wrong with yours.
I bought one of those suction type covers for the transparent top, but have never needed it. With the temps we have here there is definitely something wrong with yours.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 12
From: Lansing Michigan
Took my 16' to a different dealer today to have the A/C checked. The service associate placed a thermometer in the drivers side vent. It read 49F with the car set on max LO and recirculate mode. Temp in the service department was 81F according to the Vette display. He said this is the best I can expect. I could leave it for the day if I wanted more tests. I declined as I could see he thought I was wasting his time.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Took my 16' to a different dealer today to have the A/C checked. The service associate placed a thermometer in the drivers side vent. It read 49F with the car set on max LO and recirculate mode. Temp in the service department was 81F according to the Vette display. He said this is the best I can expect. I could leave it for the day if I wanted more tests. I declined as I could see he thought I was wasting his time.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Took my 16' to a different dealer today to have the A/C checked. The service associate placed a thermometer in the drivers side vent. It read 49F with the car set on max LO and recirculate mode. Temp in the service department was 81F according to the Vette display. He said this is the best I can expect. I could leave it for the day if I wanted more tests. I declined as I could see he thought I was wasting his time.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
Just for fun I took my passenger car for a brief ride since im actually here in Lansing so we can set weather conditions aside because its the same.
Starting east on Edgewood basically at Tx Roadhouse/Hooters, max ac turned on at start up, blower on low; before I even got onto 96 east this is the temp reading from my center ducts …
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 29, 2018 at 02:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Who has Z06s and who has non-supercharged cars
Also, getting good tint (with ceramic) makes all the world of difference. I never turn mine up beyond full. I'm actually going to get the front windshield done to protect the interior, but just getting the side and rear done was night and day- almost literally.
Also, getting good tint (with ceramic) makes all the world of difference. I never turn mine up beyond full. I'm actually going to get the front windshield done to protect the interior, but just getting the side and rear done was night and day- almost literally.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 232
From: Licking MO
Took my 16' to a different dealer today to have the A/C checked. The service associate placed a thermometer in the drivers side vent. It read 49F with the car set on max LO and recirculate mode. Temp in the service department was 81F according to the Vette display. He said this is the best I can expect. I could leave it for the day if I wanted more tests. I declined as I could see he thought I was wasting his time.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
On line I've read that high 30's to low 40's in recirculate mode after 10-20 minutes is not unusual. My other vehicles have done this. I still think there's an issue and the dealer is not convinced. The online recommendation is take it to a certified A/C shop and have it checked not the dealer. Sounds like the next step.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 12
From: Lansing Michigan
Here is the outlet air temp on my 18' Equinox. It varied from about 42F to 39.5F.
Settings: Recirculate, LO setting, hi fan with outside air temp of 86F.
Also a pic of the outlet air temp when set on 72F. Allowed to stabilize for about 15 minutes before I snapped the pic.
Settings: Recirculate, LO setting, hi fan with outside air temp of 86F.
Also a pic of the outlet air temp when set on 72F. Allowed to stabilize for about 15 minutes before I snapped the pic.
Last edited by Tech4882; Jun 12, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
Definitely agreed on ceramic window tint making a huge difference. I did the windshield in a clear ceramic and that helped even further.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Here is the outlet air temp on my 18' Equinox. It varied from about 42F to 39.5F.
Settings: Recirculate, LO setting, hi fan with outside air temp of 86F.
Also a pic of the outlet air temp when set on 72F. Allowed to stabilize for about 15 minutes before I snapped the pic.
Settings: Recirculate, LO setting, hi fan with outside air temp of 86F.
Also a pic of the outlet air temp when set on 72F. Allowed to stabilize for about 15 minutes before I snapped the pic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 536
From: Hampshire, IL
And here I was telling everyone that G M had the best ac. My wife's Audi Q7 [an electrical nightmare by the way] only brought the cabin down to 81 degrees on a 100 degree day. The tech's ??? response was " Lady - it's hot outside and that is all you can expect!" She owns a trucking company and explained to him in trucker language that this was not acceptable!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
And here I was telling everyone that G M had the best ac. My wife's Audi Q7 [an electrical nightmare by the way] only brought the cabin down to 81 degrees on a 100 degree day. The tech's ??? response was " Lady - it's hot outside and that is all you can expect!" She owns a trucking company and explained to him in trucker language that this was not acceptable!
Find an Audi tech that doesn't have his head rammed up his backside.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 12
From: Lansing Michigan
Here's the 16' Vette A/C temp readings. Settings: Recirculate, LO temp, Hi fan. Outside temp was 85F.
They do look like all is OK. The interesting reading is the compare of the 72F setting to the outlet temp. I stabilized the setting for about 15 minutes before taking the pic. Quite a bit different than the Equinox. This may be the whole issue. Sure looks like the Vette A/C software programming and the Equinox are not alike.
My floor vent temps are the same as the upper vents. I have ceramic tint all around. Windshield, sides and rear. It does help.
They do look like all is OK. The interesting reading is the compare of the 72F setting to the outlet temp. I stabilized the setting for about 15 minutes before taking the pic. Quite a bit different than the Equinox. This may be the whole issue. Sure looks like the Vette A/C software programming and the Equinox are not alike.
My floor vent temps are the same as the upper vents. I have ceramic tint all around. Windshield, sides and rear. It does help.
Last edited by Tech4882; Jun 12, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Here's the 16' Vette A/C temp readings. Settings: Recirculate, LO temp, Hi fan. Outside temp was 85F.
They do look like all is OK. The interesting reading is the compare of the 72F setting to the outlet temp. I stabilized the setting for about 15 minutes before taking the pic. Quite a bit different than the Equinox. This may be the whole issue. Sure looks like the Vette A/C software programming and the Equinox are not alike.
My floor vent temps are the same as the upper vents. I have ceramic tint all around. Windshield, sides and rear. It does help.
They do look like all is OK. The interesting reading is the compare of the 72F setting to the outlet temp. I stabilized the setting for about 15 minutes before taking the pic. Quite a bit different than the Equinox. This may be the whole issue. Sure looks like the Vette A/C software programming and the Equinox are not alike.
My floor vent temps are the same as the upper vents. I have ceramic tint all around. Windshield, sides and rear. It does help.
Its important to note that between the actual evaporator core and the duct outlet in the passenger compartment, you will lose 4-5 degrees. So what this means is when you have say 39 degree air at the duct, the evap core is likely 34. All ac systems are designed not go below 32, because if the water that should be dripping out the evap drain (onto the ground under the car) starts to freeze in the heater case, then you have a whole new set of problems.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 31, 2018 at 05:02 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 4
From: St Petersburg, FL.
2014 Coupe dual zone AC issue
Has anyone experienced the driver side air conditioning being significantly colder than the passenger side AC? In either AUTO mode or Manual with the passenger side set at same temp or lower than the driver side the air is tepid cool and feels warmer than the driver side. Driver side is cold yet the passenger side is warmer when set at the same temp or colder. My wife complaining it isn't getting cold enough. I have a dealer service appointment to diagnose the issue. Possibly someone on the forum has had the same experience? Thanks!