Why does my heat and A/C not work properly? (Heating / Cooling Air Conditioner)

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Question Details Asked:Aug 01, 2008 - 05:27 PMStatus:Closed

jthambright	Why does my heat and A/C not work properly? 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?
	In Maintenance & Repair > Heating / Cooling > Air Conditioner 2 answers - 1045 days ago
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Answers

canddmeyer 08/03/08 5:02 am PST

Since you have no answers, I'll chime in. Odds are there is an aircon problem you need to have serviced, but as time has passed there may now be more than one problem. As for the original problem of the cabin being cold until driven I would suspect the thermostat is stuck open, but when the temp goes above normal on long trips it leaves me guessing, although it could still be a faulty thermostat. Is something blocking airflow to the airconditioning condenser &/or the radiator?

I'd suspect there are multiple issues, but the easy one will be having the air con serviced.

rbillieuxsr 07/11/10 7:50 pm PST

Start car-turn both switches ac and recir. open hood look at compresser facing it look on left side wheel should be turning it is clutch. If low will not turn on--switch is to right-on low side way over-drivers side -compressor can be turned by taking off cap and using paper clip complete circut-Caution do not run compressor long this way will burn it out.

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