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Couple AC Questions

SomeDudeAtHome

New member
First things first. 98 GP GT single climate control NOT dual.

Last summer I had my AC fixed since it didn't work at all. Now that I have it I've noticed the drivers side is warmer than the passenger side. The drivers side IS cool but not as cold as the passenger side. When looking at the 3 vents in the center the 1 on the right is cold, the 2 on the left are only cool and the one on the left of the steering wheel is even wamer. Hopefully you understand what I'm saying. Now I've read about the blend door but this seems like it's only for dual climate control cars since that's what everyone has that is asking a similar quesion. Am I having the same issue or is it different? Just wanted to clarify before digging into the car.

My other question is, is there any way to beef up the AC system? Make it blow colder air faster? It takes my car a good 4-5 minutes to get coldish air coming out while driving and then even longer to get to it's coldest point. Any way to change this so when I turn it on it's cold almost immediately. My GF turns her AC on and it blows cold after 5-10 secs.
 


sounds like you may be getting low on freon, or what ever its called these days.

they do sell them recharge cans with a pressure gauge on it telling you if its full or not. run about 30 bucks for a large can.
 
Man I hope it's not a leak. The condensor is what was replaced last summer if that makes any difference. I'll check everything out tomorrow.
 
I agree. Sounds like a leak to me. When they get low you can get a warmer drivers side than passenger side. Look at all if the connections in the ac system. They likely added dye when the work was done. Even if they did not a leak will usually leave oil residue at the site of the leak. Compressors are pretty common on these cars too. If it is covered in ac oil it is leaking.
 


If it's cold on one side and not the other the a/c system is working. May not be to it's full potential but working. The blend door simply separates the heater core from the evaporator so that air will blow through one or the other. If it's stuck, misadjusted, or has debris keeping it from opening or closing properly it allow the blower to blow air past both the heater core and evaporator making the air warmer/colder than it should be, depending whether your using the a/c or heater. First thing you need to do is pull the glove box down, move the temp knob both directions while looking for the blend door actuator. Not sure if yours is cable operated or electric so look for either. Either way you will see the cable moving or the actuator spinning. Once you find it, put it to full cold, note the position of the door, disconnect the cable or remove the actuator and attempt to move the door further in the cold direction. If it moves then it's just off adjustment. Simply max the movement out and adjust the cable or actuator to open to that distance. If it has full range of motion it is not your problem, look elsewhere. Start by looking at the vent ducting where is hooks up between the vents and the a/c box. It is very possible that the box has been removed and the vents aren't sealing properly. Best way to check that is to start the car, run the a/c and feel around to see if you have a duct leaking. Check those things and let us know what it's is or isn't doing.
 
I looked behind around the glove box and didn't see it. Does anyone know where the blend door is on a '97 with single manual control knob.
I need to check on the driver side,
 
If it's cold on one side and not the other the a/c system is working. May not be to it's full potential but working. The blend door simply separates the heater core from the evaporator so that air will blow through one or the other. If it's stuck, misadjusted, or has debris keeping it from opening or closing properly it allow the blower to blow air past both the heater core and evaporator making the air warmer/colder than it should be, depending whether your using the a/c or heater. First thing you need to do is pull the glove box down, move the temp knob both directions while looking for the blend door actuator. Not sure if yours is cable operated or electric so look for either. Either way you will see the cable moving or the actuator spinning. Once you find it, put it to full cold, note the position of the door, disconnect the cable or remove the actuator and attempt to move the door further in the cold direction. If it moves then it's just off adjustment. Simply max the movement out and adjust the cable or actuator to open to that distance. If it has full range of motion it is not your problem, look elsewhere. Start by looking at the vent ducting where is hooks up between the vents and the a/c box. It is very possible that the box has been removed and the vents aren't sealing properly. Best way to check that is to start the car, run the a/c and feel around to see if you have a duct leaking. Check those things and let us know what it's is or isn't doing.

Im still betting on low refrigerant. It didnt make sense to me either but my car did the same thing when low. I replaced the leaking seals at the compressor and topped it off and enjoyed the cold ac from all of the vents.
 


They sell "recharge" kits with UV dye in it. I would personally never use one to actually service an A/C system, but they're very helpful to pinpoint leaks in the engine bay.

If you out have to service an A/C, the correct way is to pull a vacuum on the system and suck out the old freeon and oil, and then refill with the correct amount of freeon and PAG oil as your A/C system calls for.
 
Freon level is correct, my driver side is ,maybe 5-6 degrees warmer. Might just be a duct work seal problem. Maybe something isn't sealing behind the dash.
 


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