2021 Power Wagon AC Performance Problems

[Power Wagon Chief]

2021 Power Wagon with marginal AC cooling. Took it to dealership and they performed a performance test which passed barely, again no margin. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[Fast69Mopar]

2021 Power Wagon with marginal AC cooling. Took it to dealership and they performed a performance test which passed barely, again no margin. Anyone else experiencing this?

What kind of vent temps are you seeing at idle? What about cruising down the highway?

Does the A/C blow colder on one side?

Do you see normal condensation dripping underneath the truck?

Do you have a set of gauges that you can hook up to verify that the system is making the proper pressures on the low and high side?

Is the electric fan running when the A/C is on?

 

[Dean2]

2021 Power Wagon with marginal AC cooling. Took it to dealership and they performed a performance test which passed barely, again no margin. Anyone else experiencing this?

With so little information as to what the problem is, no one is going to be able to be of any assistance. You need to clearly articulate the issues and problems, starting with the questions Fast asked you, or take it to a specialty AC shop and have it diagnosed properly, then make you dealer fix it on warranty and refund the diagnosis costs.

 

[turkeybird56]

^^^^^ DITTO ^^^^ I wonder if his secondary AC fan is working? FCA allegedly got the poor performing 2019 and early 2020 AC's fixed, I know, I have a MY 19, so has to be something else. My 1st thought is low/improper refrigerant charge. Of course could just be a bad part also.

 

[Airmousam]

My 21 is fine, but I'm in NE..read about the issues before I bought..and have been happy with it..might be diff if I was in TX or AZ

 

[Power Wagon Chief]

Thank you for your responses, I will be doing some more checks based on the feedback. As for Dean2 response, I provided additional detail as to the issue below.

Org. Post: 2021 Power Wagon with marginal AC cooling. Took it to dealership and they performed a performance test which passed barely, again no margin. Anyone else experiencing this?

Additional detail (R-134A System): Ram Dealer is using FCA Tech Connect performance criteria. I believe they only took temperature at the center vent during the performance test, no gauge hook-up values were discussed. The day I dropped off at dealership unfortunately was fairly cool outside 76F (30% humidity) vs. the 90F, when I checked. The Dealer said my temp was 48F, which was satisfactory for an ambient temp of 80F per the Tech Connect performance criteria.

As for when I checked at 90F (70% humidity) outside, it was 55F on max cooling & recirc at same center vent test location. This reading was fairly constant as I drove 60mi/hr for over ½ hr and the cab seemed to stay fairly humid. Using another chart for R134A (attached), 90F should produce a range of 44-50F at center vent where as FCA only lists a single temp of 55F (no range, see attached) for this outside temp reading.

I built, ordered this truck, and picked it up about 2 months ago. I really didn’t think I would have to waste my time investigating & analyzing this issue while under warranty. I guess next step is to put a set of gauges on it and check out the suggestions the group gave me. Thanks again for your assistance!

 

[LeesEvoX]

Do yourself a favor and remove the cabin air filter. Then feel the POWA of your AC!!!

People will tell you this is bad for the fan and such... but the earlier rams never had them.

I removed the cabin filter in my 2020 like 2 weeks after buying it... sold the truck a couple months ago, and never had an issue.

 

[crazy jerry]

if your performing repairs and dont know what your doing i would highly recomend a factory service manual. even if you do know what your doing i still recomend a manual. maybe you could fumble your way through without it but not likely

 

[Wisher]

Hey everyone I have a 19 pw. Took it in for A/C issues they said it was fine. So I said bs let me get my thermometer out and check. I found it was 64 on the driver side and 57 on the passenger out of the dash. They took it in and recharged the system now it’s 47 and 55. I tried to get them to fix the difference they said they can’t and won’t so I’m in the middle of a lemon law buy back at the moment. But it’s been recharged 3 times, they don’t even try to find the leak. And by the way I sat in a new 2020 pw and it did 42.3 passenger and 42.6 driver side. So I kicked and screamed wanting the same. And also they gave a paper stating they knew about the issue with difference in temperature dated a month before I bought my truck in November of 19.

 

[Gary Fields]

I have a 2020 Ram that has a similar issue. The basic problem is that there is no heater control valve to control coolant flow to the heater core. Hot coolant is always sent full strength to the heater core, which is next to the A/C evaporator. The doors that regulate airflow allow a small amount of heated air to enter the flow to the vents. Also having a hot heater core in the dash adds heat to the whole system. The best my truck could do from factor was 50 degrees while running on freeway for a while. Usual in city driving was about 52-54. I installed a 5/8 quarter throw valve at the water pump fitting to heater core. This will cut off coolant going to core. A/C will blow at 41 to 43 degrees- a noticeable difference. Problem is the system is capable of A/C only, but it's easy to throw the valve. This makes the truck much more comfortable here in Texas. I drove from west Texas to Houston with outside temps of 95 to 101 and A/C blows at 42 or 43.

While this will provide a usable solution it seems that Chrysler was simply being cheap in not installing a heater control valve (even a 74 Pinto has one). What they consider "normal" performance may work in Michigan but not in Texas or the south. I should not have to modify a new truck to have an air conditioner that keeps me comfortable. The car I had 45 years ago would freeze you (until the R4 compressor froze) and the 2007 Mitsubishi I have is colder than a politician's heart. I assumed Chrysler/Fiat/whoever would be able to at least meet what older cars were capable of.

 

[AngryPills]

He’s absolutely correct the heater core is always flowing I noticed a huge difference in ac performance after I had to bypass my leaky heater core. When I change out the core I am going to install a manual bypass to keep this off until I need it in the winter.

 

[Stuffpower]

AC on this truck is the only thing that I feel sucks

 

[Tinman454]

Well I guess this is one good thing about living in Canada I never noticed the A/C was sub-par the 10 times I used it this summer lol