Edmunds Answers questions

If AC recharge kits hurt people and systems so frequently, why are they allowed to still sell them?

cricket240 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:21:00 GMT

I wonder if they hurt people and systems so frequently, why are they allowed to still sell them? My other question, is, I want to save the money of having someone tell me if it is empty, or if there is a leak, or if the compressor is bad...so I want to go into a car shop with some info...therefore, is the gauge they sell safe? That way I can know if it is really empty?

I need a routing diagram for the drive belt. I have the Chiltons but shows diagram for different motor. Need 2.4L.

sheilaav1970 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:28:15 GMT

My engine is missing the sticker that has the diagram - Of Course!! The one in the chiltons is for a different size motor! please answer asap I am stuck without it!

I just replaced my ac compressor and now my rear ac blows hot and my front blows cold.

mikemc1972 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:18:51 GMT

I just replaced my ac compressor and now my rear ac blows hot and my front blows cold.

What about the high pressure in the low side. The AC leak must be in the condenser. Suzuki Esteem.

2000suzest — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:19:40 GMT

response to your answer last night.

My air conditioner wants to blow out all three vents at once instead of selected one. How do I fix?

unihrt6711 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:49:34 GMT

My air condition wants to blow out the defrost, front and floor board all at one time. I turn the switch to change it and it does not change to where I want it to blow. Someone said their is a air control door that controls it but we do not know where to find it. Car stays to hot since air does not blow on you from front vents but everywhere a little air.

A/C compressor kicks on and off.

rebel0878 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:22:46 GMT

My compressor continued to kick on and off, the charge is good, I found out that my digital climate control panel was bad, I replaced it. I also changed the pressure switch on the compressor and the relay. Still kicking on and off. If I remove the relay and jump it out the compressor will stay on and I have cold air. Im lost as what else to do. Also it blows colder when Im moving than when sitting idle.

A/c compressor kicks on and off.

rebel0878 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:30:06 GMT

Checked the charge and its good what else would make my compressor kick on and off. I changed the climate control panel, relay, and pressure switch. Whe I remove the relay and jump it out the compressor stays running.

Why does my heat and A/C not work properly?

jthambright — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:27:23 GMT

My heat started acting up last winter. I would start the car and start the defrost in the morning. When I came back out a long period later, the cabin would still be cold and no defrosting occurred. When I drove the car to work the heat began to warm up and get to a comfortable level. I also started to notice the temperature guage rising above normal when I went on long trips (over an hour). Before it got too cold I flushed the radiator to see if this was the problem, but did not fix it. Summer has come and now the A/C does not work. Attempted to recharge the A/C since it had been 4+ years since we bought the vehicle. This did not work. I get warm air from the vents. When I turn on the A/C I get a noise that I assume is the compressor kicking on, so it appears that it is working. I have not taken a PSI check on the system yet though, but if the pressure is NOT correct I assumed the compressor would not come on?!?! Since they are faults that occur seasons apart, I did not make the connection until now. Is it possible they are related problems... Would a vacuum hose leak or disconnect cause both of these probblems? If so, where is it and how do I troubleshoot it. If not... What are some recommendations for troubleshoot or rectifying these problems?

How do I access an answer to my car question here?

joecosta — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:19:15 GMT

I have an answer to my question on my 2001 sable ac problem, how do I view it? sorry to sound stupid!

Why won't the air flow through my front vents and floor vents?

lisabrown321 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:45:43 GMT

Air only comes out of dash and rear vents not front vents.When I move the switch to floor or face vents I get a click on compressor 5times a minute. Bought a vacuum pump no change.Defroster is not working at all.

How do you tell if you have a bad a/c compressor vs just needing to recharge the system?

raggamuffin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:44:49 GMT

the air is warm coming out the vents and doesn't get cold

Air conditioner clutch stays engaged, tell me what's wrong. Thanks.

fford34 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:56:11 GMT

My air conditioner clutch stays engaged,even with the air turned off. Can anyone tell me what to look for to crrect this or is the compressor bad.

Thanks

My air conditioning vents are stuck on defrost. What do I need to do to fix this?

bren7 — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:15:34 GMT

The air comes out of the correct vents in the rear of the vehicle. It is just the front vents. We changed the air flow to defrost one day and now it won't change back.
Thanks

My air conditioning will turn on but it does not blow cold air. What could be the problem and is it expensive to fix?

danielleh — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:18:01 GMT

I just wanted to know if the air conditioning in my car would be expensive to fix? I guess it still works like I said it does blow air just not cold air

AC on my XLS is cold but only comes out the defroster and floor vent no matter which button you push. Switch is good.

bhop — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:14:32 GMT

The controls work. Someone tolds us that it could be vacuum lines. I have no drawings or diagrams to run the problem down. Any thoughts?

Engine air conditioner does not start when I turn on the vehicle, after a few minutes it starts working. What I have to do?

yut — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:31:22 GMT

Engine air conditioning does not start when I turn the vehicle, after a few minutes starts working. When it starts to work, it makes a noise like a rusty or dirty fan.

What should be the correct a/c system operating pressure be for a 04' Yukon XL?

jeffereno — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:29:10 GMT

The a/c seems not be be blowing as cool as it should when ideling in traffic. When driving consistantly the a/c cools but is not acting the same as usual. Thinking it may have needed refrigerant, I purchased a guage and the psi is around 70 (I did not add refrigerant). The manufacturer of the guage indicates that this is a problem and something is wrong with the system. I'm assuming the compressor?? Does this seem correct to you? Do you think it is a compressor problem?

What are the typical air conditioning problems for a 2000 Subaru Outback with about 110K?

subarush — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:38:06 GMT

I have a 2000 Legacy outback and I am not getting any cold air from my A/C. I bought the car this past winter and swore that it worked then, but I must have been wrong in my estimation. The car has 110 K on it, I was just curious with a car this age what might be a prognosis on the A/C and what might be typical A/C issues with these models/age of subarus. This is my first Subaru, so I am open for input.

2004 Saturn Ion 3 AC works fine when moving, does not work when car is stopped. Is this a simple probloem?

1patrick — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:07:01 GMT

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango that needs an a/c recharge, but I can't find the low pressure port to hook up guages.

echampjr — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:40:24 GMT

I found the high pressure port on the passenger side in front of the battery

My 1999 Chrysler 300M's ATC Fan is always on no matter wheather I select Auto, Manual or OFF on the ATC Unit.

shilkom — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:25:04 GMT

I have checked the associated fuses and they are OK. I have also checked for a stuck relay, but there are none associated with the ATC. That seems to leave the two ATC sensors and the fan switches? The ATC fan is always on high when I start the car and cannot be turned off. All other ATC functions seem to be working properly. Has anybody else seen this problem or have any ideas?

A/C trouble Chevy K5 Blazer

1986blazer — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:53:18 GMT

i have an 1986 k5 blazer and the problem i have is when i move the climate control switch the compressor comes on with every settingand only turns off in the off position. got any ideas where to start looking for the problem?

Can car air-conditioners be replaced aftermarket?

blackadder5639 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:48:35 GMT

I'm not seriously considering this, but it's more out of curiosity. If I wan unhappy with the performance of my car's A/C and wanted to change it for a more powerful/more efficient model, would that be possible? Can car A/Cs be replaced just like car stereos be replaced (by models other than the OEM model)?

How to change ac compressor for a Toyota Camry 1992?

zaak — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:11:29 GMT

What else do you need to buy besides the compressor itself (It supposedly leaks)?
Where can I get the instructions??

What happens when the air conditioner in your Dodge Dakota truck doesn't take freon into the system. The pressure gauge reads 100.

pagerman44 — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:06:33 GMT

2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab

pressure gauge reads 100 lbs which in the red.

How do you change the cabin filter on a 2007 Cadillac DTS? Barbara

barbara24 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:03:52 GMT

How do you change the cabin filter on a 2007 Cadillac DTS? Barbara

Where is the low pressure AC line at on a 2001 Lincoln LS?

bckos84 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:49:27 GMT

Lincoln LS 2001 Air-conditioner problems

My 02 GMC Envoy A/C blows on the left side and stays hot on the right. How can I fix this?

frenchstyle — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:57:45 GMT

Cold on the left hot on the right and back

Jeep Cherokee 92 A/C Clutch won't engage

morzh — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:24:07 GMT

Hi.
My A/C stopped working one day. I troubleshot it with a meter (I am an EE).
Once I short the relay contacts the clutch will engage, which means, that the Low pressure switch and everythin that is in series with the clutch relay contact group is OK.
Now the relay coil is hooked up to 12V via some switches (possibly - for whatever reason Chilton sch for 92 does not show how the A/C hooked up so I use the similar sch for RENIX controller), and they are also OK, as when I hook up the ralay and Ground the GND coil pin - relay clicks.
WHich means that the GND path for the relay is not there. It is provided by the output of the ECM (the computer).

So, the computer gets the A/C requests from the "Cycle Switch" (the temp sensor, thermostat, or what you call it).

Which leaves two likely culprits: the ECM module and the thermostat switch.

Also, when choosing AC on the dashboard, I do not hear idle RPM going up (I think it should), which tells me there is no A/C request being processed.
Again, could be either switch or the ECM module.

Now what I do not know is this: I have zero idea where either one is located and how either one looks.

Chilton is not very helpful either. So if anyone can guide me where to find those ECM and thermostat switch, or anyone has a photo of them, or can descrine the exact procedure for Cherokee 92 (not Grand Cherokee - the regular Cherokee Laredo 92, inline 6, 4.0 Liters, 4 doors, 4x4) - I'd be eternally grateful.

Any other advice is appreciated. Also one thing: Chilton does not show A/C clutch in the sch for 92 cherokees. On the previous models I found it. So if anyone has the link to the real clutch hookup - would be nice to see it. I am using the sch from another year's make, but it may be not very accurate.

Mike

What type of Freon does a 97 Mitsubishi Galant take for the AC? Thanks

rune49 — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:27:50 GMT

I think it needs to be charged. My Brother-in law can do it but he needs to know what type of Freon it takes

My 1998 Pontiac Bonneville has the automatic A/C. It works fine for 40 to 60 minutes, then stops. What's wrong?

richard82 — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:29:20 GMT

My 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SLE has the automatic A/C. The air conditioning works fine for the first 40 to 60 minutes, then stops blowing cold air. The fan and heater automatics work fine and the A/C works real well again after the car is not running for a period of time. Is it a vacuum problem?

2007 Honda Odyssey Air Conditioning

jasonaimee06 — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:55:17 GMT

I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey with about 10000 miles on it. About a week ago our air conditioning went out. Took it to the dealership today and after looking they found a small hole in the condenser from a rock hitting it. After talking to the maintenance person I found out that Honda dosent normoly cover these under the warranety. Based on the location of the condensor (directly below the radiator) I argued with Honda that based on the location of the condensor there is no way to stop from ahving a rock hitting it. They Finally agreed to pay for it. But just wanting to know if anyone has had this problem with the Odesey or any other Honda Model as they say it afects other models.

2004 Toyota Sienna, vent at center right blows cold and left blows warm/cool air with a/c on max. How to fix this? Thanks.

sub0 — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:35:41 GMT

04 sienna, the a/c have some problem. Dealer check it before say no problem. Now car watt. expire.

Today I took it to other shop and test it and the result come back saying the center vent in the middle. The driver side was blowing warm/cool air and the passanger side is blowing cold air. And I notice the same problem too before I took it there.

He told me might have to take the whole dash board out to see what wrong.
I just don't know why the same air vents at center left blow warm and right blow cold air. Are they the same outlet and is this very hard to fix.

I park the van inside the garage let it run after a while the vent on passager side is cold. But while driving outside temp is around 16C and I don't feel the Van is cold after 20 mins driving.

I bet the dealer just checking the a/c unit and find out is good. But they didn't check the vent inside. Now the Van is not cover (pass 3 yrs). I report to Toyota Canada to report this issue today. I guest they will not doing anything about it.

Why I found out that late ? Is because my wife are usually driving the Van but now I take over driving it and she drive my Camry. She don't usually turn the a/c on that's why.

Please help or any places I can check,

Plymouth Voyager AC compressor went

jrosa — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:10:36 GMT

I also have a 2000 Plymouth Voyager and my ac compressor went which I'm about to change. The problem I keep on getting is that the belt keeps on sliding off. I changed the tension rod and put a new belt a couple of times. And it always tends to slide off when it rains alot. Why would that be? Is there a way to solve that.

Which line is the low pressure ac charging line on a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis?

nuke786 — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:10:39 GMT

The owner's manual doesn't tell anything about recharging the air conditioning. I know it has to charge on the low pressure side but nothing is labeled.Thank you.

1992 full size Chevy Blazer. Where can the orfice tube for AC be found? Thank you, Rich

snowplow1 — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:38:19 GMT

Looking for the orfice tube for the AC

I have a 98 Pontiac Sunfire. The AC will not work.

fergie6868 — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:32:01 GMT

I recharged the system and turned the ac on, a selected defrost and all other settings. Does anyone have a suggestion

How do I put a can of R-134 in my Lincoln Navigator so the AC will get cold?

katie_brown — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:17:57 GMT

Lincoln Navigator 2000

04 Toyota Sienna a/c problem. Not cold.

sub0 — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:25:49 GMT

My 04 Sienna the a/c is not cold and looks like is not working well since day one. And was check by dealer and say no problem. The Van is only 4,5000 km. And my wife usually don't turn the a/c on.
To make this short, Anyone have the same problem. I search the internet there are quite a few complain the a/c problem but Toyota look's like they knew this problem and don't know how to fix it and don't issue a recall to save them $$$.

Please advice ! Thanks !

Help with vacuum lines (Cadillac Catera)

dinoscaddy — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:45:10 GMT

Does anyone have a good diagram or pic's of vacuum lines layout? I have a few that are not connected and I know it has something to do with my a/c.
Thanks

Toyota Camry 2006. Leak under carpet front right. AC drain clear. A/C not draining under car? Any other drain near console to leak?

rich0803 — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:36:51 GMT

carpet wet under front right seat. A/C drain checked and clear. However, do not see any water under vehicle after running A/C. Water seems to be coming from near console. puddles up after run the A/C. ?

Evaporator core for Chrysler Concorde?

538705092 — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:54:58 GMT

i have a 2000 concord.. my evaporator core for my AC is apparently leaking can someone tell me the easiest way to replace it. or an alternative.

2003 Mitsubishi Outlander The ac doesn't work when the car gets hot. Front wheel drive. Doesn't overheat.

rpippin11 — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:58:21 GMT

Its my sisters car....she just had the water pump replaced...that was a small fortune. The problem with the AC didn't happen while the mechanic had it. My sister said you have to drive it for it to start not working....hope this helps thanks!

What would make my Nissan Altima start shaking when I turn the a/c on?

unfoolish4u — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:06:02 GMT

2001 nissan altima

Why would the a/c compressor on my 2001 Chevy Tracker work for a minute then turn off?

mexline — Sat, 24 May 2008 22:11:31 GMT

We replaced the compressor, it will work for a minute or so then turn off

I have a 2002 Chevy Venture. The Air conditioner Condensor is cracked. How much to repair it?

fcbern — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:01:24 GMT

I have a 2002 Chevy Venture with a cracked AC condensor. Chevy won't touch it. How much to repair it? I already know the price of the condensor.

My Nissan Altima AC blows hot air for the first minute before turning cool and doesn't get cold until 3 minutes. Is this a problem?

anordling — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:40:25 GMT

I have a 2001 Nissan Maxima. It takes about 1 minute before the ac blows cool air and about 3 minutes before the air is cold. We also have a 2005 toyota camry that when started the ac blows cold air within seconds. So it seems like there may be a problem with the ac in my Maxima. I just bought the maxima from car max, they checked it out and found a leak in the ac hose. They replaced the hose and recharged the ac but it still takes the same amount of time to cool. Is this a problem or is this normal for maxima ac?

Honda Odyssey 1999. Front a/c vents don't blow very well while the rear vents are superbly cool. What is this?

tadeg — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:53:45 GMT

i dont normally get the right feel of the a/c when seating in the front. the air coming in fromthe front vents is not enough! what's the solution?

Plymouth Voyager A/C blowing warm on driver's side, "cool/coldish" on passenger side? Help I live in FL

meeghan123 — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:55:04 GMT

A/C blowing warm on driver's side, "cool/coldish" on passenger side. I live in Florida and think I will have a heat stroke if I can't figure this one out soon. Freon is full, blows air out of all vents, compressor is funtioning fine, got replaced 2 years ago.

Lincoln LS 2001 and the a/c blows hot air

juliels — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:17:26 GMT

Sometimes it blows cold air when the outside temperature is cold and very hot air when the temperature is above 90 degrees. Any ideas?