YACT: My A/C is flaky

[hjo3]

I don't know much about cars or air conditioners... anyone know why it would just not-work for like ten minutes when I start the car sometimes? Then it'll suddenly kick on full blast with good cooling and everything.

 

[HiTek21]

You might have air in the system, next time you turn your car w/ AC on look for the reservior tank and there should be a little plastic sight glass. If you look into it and if you see little air bubbles you have a leak somewhere.

Check this page out it has some Pictures if you're not sure of what i'm talking about.

Edit: Also check to see that there is enough tension on the A/C Belt (with the car off of course) then turn the car on and have someone turn the A/C Switch on and off and see if the clutch on the compressor is engaging

 

[hjo3]

Ah, okay -- I'll try that. Thanks!

 

[Quixfire]

Year, Make, & Model please.

 

[yukichigai]

If you have a vehicle made by any company owned by the Chrysler Corporation that could be the problem. Chrysler A/Cs have always had issues; the A/C in both of the Dodge vans my parents have owned would cut out every time they put the pedal to the metal going up a hill.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
If you have a vehicle made by any company owned by the Chrysler Corporation that could be the problem. Chrysler A/Cs have always had issues; the A/C in both of the Dodge vans my parents have owned would cut out every time they put the pedal to the metal going up a hill.

they are designed to do that... it's so it doesn't hog all the power during WOT.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: yukichigai
If you have a vehicle made by any company owned by the Chrysler Corporation that could be the problem. Chrysler A/Cs have always had issues; the A/C in both of the Dodge vans my parents have owned would cut out every time they put the pedal to the metal going up a hill.

they are designed to do that... it's so it doesn't hog all the power during WOT.

Then why would the air come out through the floor vents instead?

I could understand if it just stopped running or stopped cooling, but the air suddenly stops coming out the panel vents and comes out the floor vents instead.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
If you have a vehicle made by any company owned by the Chrysler Corporation that could be the problem. Chrysler A/Cs have always had issues; the A/C in both of the Dodge vans my parents have owned would cut out every time they put the pedal to the metal going up a hill.

They're supposed to do that. Unfortunately, in the Neon I rented recently, the compressor would cut out at something like 50-70% throttle, and it would stay off for a good 10-15 seconds after I backed off the gas. (Why? It should cut out at 95-100% throttle, and turn back on immediately, like in my current car.)

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: yukichigai

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: yukichigai
If you have a vehicle made by any company owned by the Chrysler Corporation that could be the problem. Chrysler A/Cs have always had issues; the A/C in both of the Dodge vans my parents have owned would cut out every time they put the pedal to the metal going up a hill.

they are designed to do that... it's so it doesn't hog all the power during WOT.

Then why would the air come out through the floor vents instead?

I could understand if it just stopped running or stopped cooling, but the air suddenly stops coming out the panel vents and comes out the floor vents instead.

Lack of engine vacuum, with the vacuum operated climate control system designed without a vacuum reservoir or check valve.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Lack of engine vacuum, with the vacuum operated climate control system designed without a vacuum reservoir or check valve.

So basically it's a design flaw?

You'd think after 20+ years of this crap Chrysler would design their A/C systems to work better. If you're gonna ax the cooling at least make sure the airflow is working. (Or are the fans the real power hogs in the A/C system?)

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: yukichigai

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Lack of engine vacuum, with the vacuum operated climate control system designed without a vacuum reservoir or check valve.

So basically it's a design flaw?

You'd think after 20+ years of this crap Chrysler would design their A/C systems to work better. If you're gonna ax the cooling at least make sure the airflow is working. (Or are the fans the real power hogs in the A/C system?)

no, it's the compressor.
and on my neon, the A/C comes through the vents all the time, and it doesn't get enough chance to get warm before i take my foot off the floor.... when i drive with A/C on, i try to just not floor it anyways, that makes it easier. mine's a 5 speed so i don't lose much power anyways.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Year, Make, & Model please.

1994 Ford Explorer

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: yukichigai

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Lack of engine vacuum, with the vacuum operated climate control system designed without a vacuum reservoir or check valve.

So basically it's a design flaw?

You'd think after 20+ years of this crap Chrysler would design their A/C systems to work better. If you're gonna ax the cooling at least make sure the airflow is working. (Or are the fans the real power hogs in the A/C system?)

it's not like chrylsers are the only vehicles doing that, the auto manufacturers just don't cater to the hopelessly neurotic.

 

[BadNewsBears]

I am starting to get pretty good at ac stuff. SO here it goes.

Electrical problem
Small leak in system inducing air into it POSSIBLY (I doubt it)
If there IS air in it, take it to an AC shop, try to find one that does AC ONLY. Have them pressurize iot with pplain old air and look for leaks, then have it evacuated VERY thoroughly, to remove the oils and have it recahrged/oiled, with a new evaperator ( i think I got the term mixed up, I always do. the canister with the material in it that goes bad if it is exposed to air)

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Year, Make, & Model please.

1994 Ford Explorer

you have black death.

Not really related to your problem, but I bet you have black death.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Year, Make, & Model please.

1994 Ford Explorer

I don't know much about cars or air conditioners... anyone know why it would just not-work for like ten minutes when I start the car sometimes? Then it'll suddenly kick on full blast with good cooling and everything.

What I need to know next is the A/C clutch cycling rapidly, on and off in a few seconds, or does it stay on for two to three minutes then turn off?

BTW, this vehicle does not have a sight glass and black death comes from a major compressor failure and is known to damage replacement compressors.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Munchies
I am starting to get pretty good at ac stuff. SO here it goes.

Electrical problem
Small leak in system inducing air into it POSSIBLY (I doubt it)
If there IS air in it, take it to an AC shop, try to find one that does AC ONLY. Have them pressurize iot with pplain old air and look for leaks, then have it evacuated VERY thoroughly, to remove the oils and have it recahrged/oiled, with a new evaperator ( i think I got the term mixed up, I always do. the canister with the material in it that goes bad if it is exposed to air)

A/C systems should be purged and pressure checked with NITROGEN, NOT AIR. Nitrogen is inert and will not react with the refrigerant and oils, air contains water vapor which reacts with the refrigerant and oils and produces acid. Air in an A/C system is never good and it should not be intentionally put into an A/C system under any circumstances unless you want it to corrode from the inside out.

ZV