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A/C Problem

KSGTP97

KSGTP97

New member
Thanks to this forum, I seem like an expert mechanic to my wife...so far I have been able to diagnose and fix every problem I've encountered w/ my 97 Grand Prix GTP from forums and threads on this site. I found numerous threads documenting my problem w/ the modes not working on my Dual Climate Control (vacuum leak found under windshield washer fluid reservoir), blower motor whining and fixing, and latest one, my a/c blowing cold air from passenger side and hot on drivers (recharge a/c).

So I recharged the a/c last Wed. It blew nice, ice cold air from both sides. Two days later, both sides were hot, drivers side hotter than passenger. The line that I added the 134a to is ice cold (back top behind engine). I'm not 100% that the compressor is kicking on as I'm definitely no mechanic, but the car does do something when I turn the a/c on (may be the belt kicking in, but idle drops momentarily and you can hear a new constant humming). Is there an easy way to check if the compressor is shot? I would rather not waste the $40 I spent on the recharge, and don't have a shop to dispose of the stuff if I have to take the compressor off.

I haven't seen this problem on any other thread, so I have started a new one...hopefully someone has had this problem before. The car has 119k on it.

Thanks for all your guys' help...it has been greatly appreciated!
 


Lets start with the basics. Are you sure how much refrigerant is in the system now? What do your pressures look like. You said the suction line is cold, its it frozen? We will go from here.
 
Its technically not illegal for you to release the refrigerant in to the air, since you are not certified for the recovery and recycle of it. Not saying you should. And also x2 on what mini said.
 
sounds like it is blocked by something.........could be frozen, but this should not happen if your car is sitting and not running when you start the a/c...........is it cold for a while then gets warm, or is it warm air as soon as you turn on the ac. Next time feel that line that was cold before you turn the ac on to see if it is warm or cold.........let us know.
 
Mine is similar. I added a can of 134 and it was cold, but a few days later both sides were hot. I took it in to have it evacuated and refilled and they said it is plugged somewhere and only taking 7 oz. of freon. But my compressor is coming on though. Im stumped.
 
Anyone fix this a/c problem yet or is everyone stumped because it seems like I hve the exact problem. A/c works for a short time once I add some refrigerant.... Seems like it isn't holding it's a/c charge... I am stumped!
 


Yung615 said:
Anyone fix this a/c problem yet or is everyone stumped because it seems like I hve the exact problem. A/c works for a short time once I add some refrigerant.... Seems like it isn't holding it's a/c charge... I am stumped!
Click to expand...

I haven't done any work to mine yet. Pretty sure the a/c compressor is out though. I probably added too much and the compressor might have been about to go out anyways. As it is getting colder, I really have no need for an a/c and my wife's car has a heater problem now, so that has to get fixed before it gets really cold. I will post my solution once I do get one.

Oh yeah, and guess I also have to put a couple hundred $ in as my car wouldn't start up Friday morning. After figuring out from O'Reilly's that my IMC (ignition control module) was fine, I went to check the MAF (mass air flow sensor) and seems that is the problem.

Hopefully I'll get back to the a/c problem before XMas or shortly after new year. We'll see how bad I need a/c compressor for defrost!
 
Yung615 said:
Anyone fix this a/c problem yet or is everyone stumped because it seems like I hve the exact problem. A/c works for a short time once I add some refrigerant.... Seems like it isn't holding it's a/c charge... I am stumped!
Click to expand...
if you can add it, it sounds like you have a leak...put dye in the system with it to see where it is leaking. The others seem to have a blockage and can get no cold air out of their AC and are unable to fill it up due to the blockage
 
FIXED IT!! Ended up grabbing a can of refrigerant w/ the dye and some sealant in it (Arctic Freeze @ Advance). Cost $30 cause I got the cool trigger gauge and black light pen w/ it. Took it home, ran it through...sure enough little leak right at the a/c compressor. Did that Fri nite and haven't seen a decrease in pressure yet, so looks like the stuff sealed off whatever little leak there was.
 
KSGTP97 said:
FIXED IT!! Ended up grabbing a can of refrigerant w/ the dye and some sealant in it (Arctic Freeze @ Advance). Cost $30 cause I got the cool trigger gauge and black light pen w/ it. Took it home, ran it through...sure enough little leak right at the a/c compressor. Did that Fri nite and haven't seen a decrease in pressure yet, so looks like the stuff sealed off whatever little leak there was.
Click to expand...

Well, now that I have a bit more time I wanted to let you guys know what the latest is...my a/c leak is gone as it is holding pressure now after I replaced the O'rings at the compressor. My compressor is definitely kicking on when I turn on the a/c.

My latest problem with this is that when I turn on the a/c when the car is in the garage first thing in the morn, I get a little bit of cold air coming out...not ice cold, but cold nonetheless. As the car heats up, so does the air, almost like there is no door preventing the engine heat from coming through.

I've seen on another thread that there is a gasket that can go out that prevents this, so I have a little time this weekend and plan on trying to tear down the dash and see if I can get it fixed. Anybody know of anything else to check or a how-to guide on changing that gasket? Thanks!
 
Something like this happening to mine. It works but is not as cold as i wanted it to be. Ac kicks in when i push the button, rpms up but its not like freazing cold. And on colder days it works better. Plus the air flow spreads in all vents at same time, feet,windows and in the face.
 


d8teen said:
Something like this happening to mine. It works but is not as cold as i wanted it to be. Ac kicks in when i push the button, rpms up but its not like freazing cold. And on colder days it works better. Plus the air flow spreads in all vents at same time, feet,windows and in the face.
Click to expand...
I would "GUESS" that your refrigerant level is low as well... there is still enough in there to work when it doesnt have to cool that much, but not when you really need it. Charge it up and see what happens.
 
My car did the same thing with the whole cold for a few days, ended up being my a/c condensor. It was plugged and pressure built up and cracked down the whole side of it.
 
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