Marginal AC ?

[Lee955i]

Am I the only one who thinks that the AC in the 5th gens is, shall we say, less than stellar? Granted, I live in Fl. but the cooling in my 21 is nowhere near as effective as my 18 was. Takes longer to actually start to cool, and never really gets super cold. A bit disappointing, really..

 

[matruck]

You say you have a 21 but maybe this applies......

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10184775-9999.pdf

 

[TimboRam77]

I know some feel strongly that it's a functioning auto system, set and forget. These folks will be hot. A simple method to be cool I've found is using the max/ac button. Leave in that position until cold then start turning down the fan speed. Worked in ATL today. Hot soaked truck showing 113. Cooled down quickly. I did leave the windows cracked for a few. This has worked on my 17, 19, and now 21 limited without fail.

 

[KKBB]

My 2019 2500 is the same. Doesn't cool nearly as well as my other dodge or ram pickups

 

[mikeru]

It's been a common complaint since the 5th gens first hit the road. There is a hack that some people have done for summer, which is to either clamp off one heater hose or install a valve to shut off the flow of coolant through the heater core.

 

[tjfdesmo]

My '19 3500 doesn't cool nearly as well as my '15 2500 did. A/C fighting the heater is a genius idea...

 

[RainDesert]

My 2019 Ram 2500 and my 2021 Ram 1500, both had terrible AC performance. My 2019 couldn't keep cool if it was over 90 outside, like I had to roll the windows down on the highway. I almost did the heater core ball valve mod to fix it, but traded in on a F250 instead. I was hoping for improvements in the 2021, it was better but no where near any other AC I have had. When Ram changed up the system for 2019+ they really messed something up.

 

[Jerrybob]

You say you have a 21 but maybe this applies......

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10184775-9999.pdf

Wow......not sure I would want a tech tearing this much into my truck......I'd be afraid of other issues occurring.....my two cents.

 

[Tims2020Ram]

Same here and I live in Phoenix. I find turning the auto shut off at stop lights off helps some since it seems to cool less then and keeps having to catch up. But still, it is not the greatest overall when dealing with anything over 95 (which is about 4 months down here in the desert).

 

[SaintlySins]

I know some feel strongly that it's a functioning auto system, set and forget. These folks will be hot. A simple method to be cool I've found is using the max/ac button. Leave in that position until cold then start turning down the fan speed. Worked in ATL today. Hot soaked truck showing 113. Cooled down quickly. I did leave the windows cracked for a few. This has worked on my 17, 19, and now 21 limited without fail.

@TimboRam77 has the easiest answer and it's what I've been doing - I don't know @TimboRam77, yet I feel we're either kindred brothers or separated at birth because this is precisely what I do LOLOLLL

I'll only add that the "Auto" setting doesn't work to make adjust the temperature AND fan get the cabin to the temperature you've set AND then dial back the fan as the temperature hits the setting. You have to adjust the fan manually once you realize you're getting too cold.

(hey, @RamCares - did you and the Customer Care and Case Managers ever get this fixed for us ... 47 listed complaints at only ONE dealer and no one has a remedy. But at least you "responded" to the Social Call for this problem LOLOLLL. Yes, this is a snarky post - I just can't help but laugh the system in place failing to get/give us answers.)

 

[Lee955i]

Thanks, all. My Bighorn doesn't have the "auto" function, although my Challenger does. This is a get in, crank on to max, roll down the windows for a minute, and after a while, even with the blast directed at my face, it's never better than "somewhat comfortable", and never cold. Worst performing new AC i've ever had, as I say, that includes the 18 Ram I had, also.

 

[RamCares]

Am I the only one who thinks that the AC in the 5th gens is, shall we say, less than stellar? Granted, I live in Fl. but the cooling in my 21 is nowhere near as effective as my 18 was. Takes longer to actually start to cool, and never really gets super cold. A bit disappointing, really..

My 2019 2500 is the same. Doesn't cool nearly as well as my other dodge or ram pickups

My '19 3500 doesn't cool nearly as well as my '15 2500 did. A/C fighting the heater is a genius idea...

My 2019 Ram 2500 and my 2021 Ram 1500, both had terrible AC performance. My 2019 couldn't keep cool if it was over 90 outside, like I had to roll the windows down on the highway. I almost did the heater core ball valve mod to fix it, but traded in on a F250 instead. I was hoping for improvements in the 2021, it was better but no where near any other AC I have had. When Ram changed up the system for 2019+ they really messed something up.

Same here and I live in Phoenix. I find turning the auto shut off at stop lights off helps some since it seems to cool less then and keeps having to catch up. But still, it is not the greatest overall when dealing with anything over 95 (which is about 4 months down here in the desert).

@TimboRam77 has the easiest answer and it's what I've been doing - I don't know @TimboRam77, yet I feel we're either kindred brothers or separated at birth because this is precisely what I do LOLOLLL

I'll only add that the "Auto" setting doesn't work to make adjust the temperature AND fan get the cabin to the temperature you've set AND then dial back the fan as the temperature hits the setting. You have to adjust the fan manually once you realize you're getting too cold.

(hey, @RamCares - did you and the Customer Care and Case Managers ever get this fixed for us ... 47 listed complaints at only ONE dealer and no one has a remedy. But at least you "responded" to the Social Call for this problem LOLOLLL. Yes, this is a snarky post - I just can't help but laugh the system in place failing to get/give us answers.)

Hi everyone,
Please be sure to keep us posted as you continue to monitor this. If you find yourself having to work with your dealer, we're more than happy to get you connected with case specialists who can work alongside your dealers to explore all potential solutions. Feel free to follow up with us via private message if this would be of interest.

Rob
Ram Cares

 

[Lettikka]

Not a 100% solution, but I was having similar issues with my 2019 (Black) and I had the local window tint place but a "clear" film on the windshield and sunroof that blocks UV, but is not tinted. Interior is much cooler than you would expect after an afternoon in the sun. My A/C issues were pretty much gone after that.

 

[KKBB]

Not a 100% solution, but I was having similar issues with my 2019 (Black) and I had the local window tint place but a "clear" film on the windshield and sunroof that blocks UV, but is not tinted. Interior is much cooler than you would expect after an afternoon in the sun. My A/C issues were pretty much gone after that.

I was looking at possibly doing that same thing. Mainly because I don't want them tearing into my dash and everything to try and fix it.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Wow......not sure I would want a tech tearing this much into my truck......I'd be afraid of other issues occurring.....my two cents.

I had that TSB done last summer. I was worried about damage to my leather dash but no issues and the A/C works much better now. Totally worth it.

Before (58F) and after (46F)