AC failure
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
AC failure
Need help with my air conditioner 2017 GS. Fan still works but blows hot air (I'm in SoCal). How to check if I need more refrigerant (it's been 7 years, but seemed to work fine a week ago). I think the sensor still works, because when I turn down the temp, the fan blows more, I think indicating it's "trying" to blow more cold air. I'm not hearing a click when I engage the AC, so could be a fuse, or the pressure sensor, or (yikes) the compressor. Anyone have a similar problem with a hopefully easy fix?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1,057
From: North Texas
If you don't hear the 'click' when you engage the AC this means that the compressor clutch is not being engaged.
Check voltage at the fuse box if ok then check for voltage at the compressor's clutch. You should see 12 volts when you turn on the AC.
You can actually see the clutch engage, if you look close enough, when AC is called for.
A scanner will also tell you if the AC is being called on to engage.
Check voltage at the fuse box if ok then check for voltage at the compressor's clutch. You should see 12 volts when you turn on the AC.
You can actually see the clutch engage, if you look close enough, when AC is called for.
A scanner will also tell you if the AC is being called on to engage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 438
From: San Dimas CA
You need to take it to a shop that does ac service. They have the gauges needed to check the refrigerant charge. They also have the detector needed to find any leaks. The compressor will not engage if the charge is low.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 277
From: Chattanooga, TN
it's HIGHLY unlikely you need more refrigerant
here's an entire thread about this topic: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1608079412
a solution that often works: unplug the plug directly to blower fan and plug it back in to get it working again
See post #14 within the thread for instructions
If that doesn't work- see post #21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how the dealer fixed my HVAC.....the actual HVAC blower motor connector was faulty and had to be replaced.
The part # is 19368864.
The list price for the part is $48. You can get it online for about $24 (GMPartsDirect, etc).
The labor was $276 (!!!).
Total cost from the dealership would have been: $324
======================================== ============================
here's an entire thread about this topic: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1608079412
a solution that often works: unplug the plug directly to blower fan and plug it back in to get it working again
See post #14 within the thread for instructions
If that doesn't work- see post #21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how the dealer fixed my HVAC.....the actual HVAC blower motor connector was faulty and had to be replaced.
The part # is 19368864.
The list price for the part is $48. You can get it online for about $24 (GMPartsDirect, etc).
The labor was $276 (!!!).
Total cost from the dealership would have been: $324
======================================== ============================
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
it's HIGHLY unlikely you need more refrigerant
here's an entire thread about this topic: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1608079412
a solution that often works: unplug the plug directly to blower fan and plug it back in to get it working again
See post #14 within the thread for instructions
If that doesn't work- see post #21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how the dealer fixed my HVAC.....the actual HVAC blower motor connector was faulty and had to be replaced.
The part # is 19368864.
The list price for the part is $48. You can get it online for about $24 (GMPartsDirect, etc).
The labor was $276 (!!!).
Total cost from the dealership would have been: $324
======================================== ============================
here's an entire thread about this topic: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1608079412
a solution that often works: unplug the plug directly to blower fan and plug it back in to get it working again
See post #14 within the thread for instructions
If that doesn't work- see post #21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how the dealer fixed my HVAC.....the actual HVAC blower motor connector was faulty and had to be replaced.
The part # is 19368864.
The list price for the part is $48. You can get it online for about $24 (GMPartsDirect, etc).
The labor was $276 (!!!).
Total cost from the dealership would have been: $324
======================================== ============================
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,659
Likes: 4,090
From: Cape Coral, Florida
You don’t “check” the condenser for an AC concern…my advise to all you guys is AC servicing and diagnostics is NOT for the DIY’er…take your car to an AC shop !!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Ac issue
Need help with my air conditioner 2017 GS. Fan still works but blows hot air (I'm in SoCal). How to check if I need more refrigerant (it's been 7 years, but seemed to work fine a week ago). I think the sensor still works, because when I turn down the temp, the fan blows more, I think indicating it's "trying" to blow more cold air. I'm not hearing a click when I engage the AC, so could be a fuse, or the pressure sensor, or (yikes) the compressor. Anyone have a similar problem with a hopefully easy fix?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
I would never go to the dealer, but thanks for "bracketing" the cost for me. Where is your dealer?
I am planning on going to my specialty Corvette shop, but if it's just something more simple, I could go to a local general mechanic. It's the diagnosis that I want to do so I don't get taken...but other than what I've done already (temp dial change, fuses, no click) I'm not sure what else I can do alone. I've done some heavier mechanical stuff on cars, but the Corvettes, nothing more than brakes/oil. Mostly because NOTHING has gone wrong for its 7 years!
I am planning on going to my specialty Corvette shop, but if it's just something more simple, I could go to a local general mechanic. It's the diagnosis that I want to do so I don't get taken...but other than what I've done already (temp dial change, fuses, no click) I'm not sure what else I can do alone. I've done some heavier mechanical stuff on cars, but the Corvettes, nothing more than brakes/oil. Mostly because NOTHING has gone wrong for its 7 years!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1,057
From: North Texas
Then get this and learn how to use it.
Gauge Set
Gauge Set
Leak detector
Weight scale, very important.
20 Lb jugs of refrigerant (you'll need a license to buy), little cans don't work. Forget about the $30 Walmart cans with a dial.
K type thermocouple meter, dual inputs work the best.
Vacuum pump, 1-3 CFM.
Good DVM.
Knowledge, you just can't 'wing' it.
The list goes on.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
Well, they recharged the refrigerant, and it worked for a day. Then, no more refrigerant. Used a sensor to find the leak, and it was registering refrigerant out of the air vent in the cabin. Said it was the EVAPORATOR, which apparently (the air guy said) has to be replaced by taking out the dash. To me, that's a lifelong no-no. I may just drive around hot. Anyone else experience an evaporator fail? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1,057
From: North Texas
Seriously, the car companies should make it easier to replace the evaporators. ie: not having to pull the dash or improve the quality of the evaporator, don't make the tubes paper thin.
I've been down this road to many times.
I've been down this road to many times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 562
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1,057
From: North Texas
FYI: All freon (not the correct name for our refrigerant, it's just become a general term that everyone uses) in modern cars for the last 20 years or more need to be 'weighed' in by the ounce, after you pull a hard vacuum. Gauges will not tell you how many ounces are in the system. Modern systems use so little freon that being off by just a few ounces, high or low, will result in a poorly working AC system.