Weird AC problem

[bigred90gt]

So, the other day, my ac started randomly acting strange. I had it on "LO" temp setting and fan on high speed (it is south Texas and hot). All was well, and suddenly it seemed as though the compressor went out (air temp coming out of the vents went up a bit) and the fan speed cut in half. It stayed that way for a few minutes, then kicked back to normal. Then it started cycling like that in and out every few seconds. I tried turning the fan down then back up, but it still did it. When I shut the truck off then got back in, it worked as normal for a good week or so. Then Saturday it did it again. Same thing, tried shutting the AC off, adjusting fan speed, nothing fixed it. Got out of the truck, got back in and it worked normally and hasn't done it again since. So far, it has only done it on high. I am out of warranty, so taking it to the dealer is an absolute last resort. Anyone have any ideas where to start? I know next to nothing about AC other than it blows cold air and I like it, lol.

 

[fijicorey]

I have a similar issue. My AC started to randomly get warm and I can't replicate it. Also, I noticed my fan speeds would change as well, but I don't have the auto climate control. I noticed the AC blowing warm two weeks ago, but only on occasion. It started happening more frequently, but there were still periods of time where it blew ice cold. This issue happened to me about two years ago and it ended up being some sort of wiring issue at the compressor. It's been at the dealer since Saturday and am still waiting on a diagnosis. The reason why it's at the dealer is that local shops around me won't work on the new A/C units we have since they require particular tools and refrigerant.

 

[NJMOPAR]

Mine stopped blowing cold today, when it hit 97.
Nothing but warm air. Middle of pulley has a ring of rubbery goop around it, and the very center isn't spinning. I'm thinking compressor clutch maybe?

 

[crash68]

To the OP, it sounds like an electrical or module issue if it's random like that

Middle of pulley has a ring of rubbery goop around it, and the very center isn't spinning. I'm thinking compressor clutch maybe?

Try to turn the compressor by hand, you .at have to pull the serpentine belt off. If you can't spin the compressor by hand, you need more than the clutch.

 

[NJMOPAR]

I can turn the center section by hand with the belt still on. Outer pulley spins when running.

 

[bigred90gt]

To the OP, it sounds like an electrical or module issue if it's random like that

Do you know of any way to check that without having to take it in?

 

[NJMOPAR]

I can turn the center section by hand with the belt still on. Outer pulley spins when running.

Update: blown clutch in compressor.
New (not reman) UAC compressor for $215 on Amazon & belt/idlers for $75 incoming Saturday.
Gotta sweat it out til then.

 

[crash68]

Do you know of any way to check that without having to take it in?

I know AlfaOBD has a bunch of diagnostic tests and you can see different sensors along with outputs from different modules. I haven't tried anything with the HVAC system though

 

[bigred90gt]

Thanks for that. I’ll charge my tablet and check it out as soon as I get the time.

 

[fijicorey]

Just heard back from my dealer. My issue is an electrical connector going to the AC clutch. They are going to replace the connector and wiring leading to it as well. May be out of my truck for a couple more days due to parts availability

 

[fijicorey]

Unfortunately for me, this repair came with a high price tag. I didn't have the time to do it myself or take it to another shop, so it looks like I'm out about $750....about $310 for the part and $440 labor...ouch.

I typically don't mess with AC issues myself as I know my limitations.

 

[bigred90gt]

Unfortunately for me, this repair came with a high price tag. I didn't have the time to do it myself or take it to another shop, so it looks like I'm out about $750....about $310 for the part and $440 labor...ouch.

I typically don't mess with AC issues myself as I know my limitations.

Well that doesn’t sound promising, considering I’m out of warranty too.
You say it was a connector? I’ve never heard of an electrical connector costing $300. Do you have any details on what connector specifically?

 

[fijicorey]

I do, it's part # 68330737AA. It looks like it costs about $170 if you bought it yourself. It's a pretty high markup but also typical for a dealership charge. Also, the labor was 2.5 hours. I will say that the service department is quite good at my dealership, but I'll probably look elsewhere for repairs. The only reason why I took it to the dealership is that local shops near me don't touch the new type of refrigerant systems we have.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

bigred, a possibility could be your system is low on gas which can cause icing up of the evap therefore restricting air flow. have you tried shutting off the ac and leaving the fan on a few minutes then re start the compressor? if blows cold air again that is likely the problem. a set of gauges is invaluable for checking a refrigeration system.

 

[Sherman Bird]

So, the other day, my ac started randomly acting strange. I had it on "LO" temp setting and fan on high speed (it is south Texas and hot). All was well, and suddenly it seemed as though the compressor went out (air temp coming out of the vents went up a bit) and the fan speed cut in half. It stayed that way for a few minutes, then kicked back to normal. Then it started cycling like that in and out every few seconds. I tried turning the fan down then back up, but it still did it. When I shut the truck off then got back in, it worked as normal for a good week or so. Then Saturday it did it again. Same thing, tried shutting the AC off, adjusting fan speed, nothing fixed it. Got out of the truck, got back in and it worked normally and hasn't done it again since. So far, it has only done it on high. I am out of warranty, so taking it to the dealer is an absolute last resort. Anyone have any ideas where to start? I know next to nothing about AC other than it blows cold air and I like it, lol.

FIRST and foremost, how old is the battery? If it is over 3 years old, buy a new one and see what happens. Check grounds and clean them if you can gain access to them. Check for TSB's on the internet and make sure there isn't a software update or other fix for that concern. Failing those ideas, have a competent person scan the CAN (Computer area network) system and be sure you have no DTC's in any module. Believe it or not, I had a 2002 Explorer drove me batty with an intermittent A/C cooling issue that turned out to have a DTC in the HEC (hybrid electronic control/ instrument, speedo head). Replacement of the instrument cluster fixed the A/C issue. That was an expensive fix, too.

 

[bigred90gt]

FIRST and foremost, how old is the battery? If it is over 3 years old, buy a new one and see what happens. Check grounds and clean them if you can gain access to them. Check for TSB's on the internet and make sure there isn't a software update or other fix for that concern. Failing those ideas, have a competent person scan the CAN (Computer area network) system and be sure you have no DTC's in any module. Believe it or not, I had a 2002 Explorer drove me batty with an intermittent A/C cooling issue that turned out to have a DTC in the HEC (hybrid electronic control/ instrument, speedo head). Replacement of the instrument cluster fixed the A/C issue. That was an expensive fix, too.

Battery is only a couple of months old.

 

[NJMOPAR]

Got my UAC compressor, AC Delco green HD belt, idler & tensioner installed today. My guy charged me $350 for labor & charging the system.
Ice cold now, best since I've owned it.
Parts were $290, so $640 total for a new (not reman) compressor & stuff all done is a pretty good deal IMO.

 

[KC5TGQ]

Being able to do your own repairs is a huge deal. You guys are saving hundreds of dollars. KUDO's

 

[Anthony Kalos]

With these new vehicles and refrigerant, you have to always go back to the dealership to get serviced ! A/C systems can be off by an ounce and they will shut down ! Only precise equipment can detect this !!!

 

[crash68]

With these new vehicles and refrigerant, you have to always go back to the dealership to get serviced ! A/C systems can be off by an ounce and they will shut down ! Only precise equipment can detect this !!!

Automotive AC systems are not that sensitive/critical that an ounce will cause them to shut down. The system has to operate in very wide range of conditions, that kind of sensitivity just wouldn't work.
With the new 1234YF refrigerant not many repair shops are willing to spend the money for the equipment to service the systems. Once there is more vehicles using this refrigerant there will be places other that the dealers to get the AC systems serviced.