A/C Problem?
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: SW Kansas
A/C Problem?
My 2015 Stingray appears to have an A/C problem. If I park it in 95-100+ degree heat with a reflector on the windshield, windows closed, for two or more hours, The A/C just cannot catch-up and cool the car once I start it and drive around town. It just continues to blow hot air regardless of how I set the A/C controls. Every so often there's a short burst of cool air but it quickly goes back to blowing very hot air and just will not catch-up to the point where it's continually blowing cool air. If I go out on the highway, however, it's putting out cool air fairly quickly.
I had a can of refrigerant that has a gauge that measures at the low pressure port where you put in refrigerant. It showed the right amount of refrigerant pressure.
I don't remember this being a problem during previous summers. Does the system need de-pressuring and then refilled? Any ideas as to what is going on here would be appreciated.
I had a can of refrigerant that has a gauge that measures at the low pressure port where you put in refrigerant. It showed the right amount of refrigerant pressure.
I don't remember this being a problem during previous summers. Does the system need de-pressuring and then refilled? Any ideas as to what is going on here would be appreciated.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: SW Kansas
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I've been that route and it didn't make any difference. I am working on another idea before I take it somewhere to get fixed. The instances in which I can't get good A/C at slow speeds are as I described earlier plus the fact that I have a Novi Stretch bra on the front of the car. I put it on when I'm going out of town. It's a fine mesh material which never has seemed like an issue but I'm wondering if the combination of some 100+ degree heat and a very warm interior combined with stop and go traffic is just enough to not allow sufficient air flow through the condensor at slower speeds. Once I'm out on the highway, I'm fine. No harm in taking it off and letting the car sit out in the sun for a few hours tomorrow and then seeing what happens.
Last edited by Highplains; Aug 12, 2023 at 02:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,113
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From: North Texas
Those cans with the built in gauge are hardly the correct way to go. you need a 2 gauge set up to really see what is going on. If the cooling is weak you could have a under charge or an over charge. Proper 2 gauges
setup would indicate this. And the only way to get the proper amount of 'freon' into the system is to pull a very good vacuum and then weigh the charge in using a very sensitive scale that measures in ounces. A few ounces one way or the other will result in poor cooling.
setup would indicate this. And the only way to get the proper amount of 'freon' into the system is to pull a very good vacuum and then weigh the charge in using a very sensitive scale that measures in ounces. A few ounces one way or the other will result in poor cooling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 952
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From: FL
Pressure switch maybe. Do you hear the compressor cycle? The can gauges are sufficient to troubleshoot basic problems. If it reads correct it's not a leak. And if it wasn't recharged or touched since last summer, could not be an over or under charge condition.
I would think any shop for a small fee can tell you what's wrong.
I would think any shop for a small fee can tell you what's wrong.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: SW Kansas
Thank you all for your replies. I think I'm going to first go the route of having a shop check my A/C with a good set of low and high pressure gauges. If that shows no problem, I'll wait until we're in the 100's again and experiment with and without the Novi Stretch on the front end. My problem with that is that the low pressure port is a bear to get to if you have large hands. Even with smaller hands like mine, it's a real tight squeeze. I don't particularly want them removing the coolant reservoir and fuse box to get in there. Guess I'll see if they'll let me do it at their shop if it's a problem. As for the A/C cycling, I don't think that's a problem.
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From: North Texas
Buddy ran a Novi stretch bra on his C8 coming back from CO last month. He said it ran at least 10* hotter with the stretch bra on it, although he didn't mention any A/C functionality problems. But his evidence would does show that the a/c condenser is probably hurting with the bra in place. IMHO taking it off is the easiest portion of the experiment.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: SW Kansas
I agree with you. I am currently waiting for the temp to get back-up to the high 90s like it was when I was having problems. Like him, at highway speeds, I had no A/C problems. If he was getting 10 degree higher temps at highway speeds, I can see why I may be having problems driving around town especially getting into a overheated, closed-up car. In any case, taking it off after an experimental drive will be the first thing I do. If that doesn't work out, I'll go to a shop with some gauges and a mechanic with small hands since that low pressure port is really tough to get to.
By the way, is that the Grand Tetons in your picture? Sure looks like them. Been that way from Kansas many times.
By the way, is that the Grand Tetons in your picture? Sure looks like them. Been that way from Kansas many times.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: SW Kansas
A/C Problem Follow-up
It was close to a 100 degrees here today. So I took off the Novi Strech and parked the car, closed-up with no window shade for about 2 1/2 hours in full sun. It was indeed hot inside when I returned. After I took off, I drove on downtown streets at slow and stop and go speeds. It stayed warm at first, but this time I felt the air getting cooler but competing with the hot interior. It got much better and by the time I was going down 35 and 40 MPH streets it was blowing as cold as ever. This all took about 15-20 minutes. With the Novi Stretch on for that same length of time with the Novi Stretch on, it just could not blow cooling air. My conclusion: I'll be using the Novi Stretch for trips out of town in the winter and cooler spring temps but it's now off for the summer. and early fall.