majordan

AC blows cold only on low setting 1, what could this be?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Don't know what you mean by "low setting 1". Are you talking about fan speed?

Do you have the auto climate control system where you have a digital display for the temperature setting or the manual controls where you slide a lever to set the temperature?

majordan

Sorry, not the digital but the sliding one.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, I still don't fully understand what you mean by "low setting 1". Are you talking about fan speed?

majordan

Sorry, don't mean to confuse anyone. Yes the numbers refer to the fan switch/speed.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

So when you turn the fan speed switch to positions 3, 3 or 4, the air starts coming out warm? If so, you probably need to get your a/c system charged.

I you turn the fan speed switch to positions 2, 3 or 4 and the air stops blowing, then you need a new fan speed switch.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

This is very strange. Fan speed should have no bearing on AC operation in terms of cooling ability. I guess theoretically, the lower the fan speed is the colder the air would be (lower blower speed = low thermal load = lower vent temps), but that should be negligible at best and virtually indistinguishable I would say in terms of "coldness" differences between vent speeds. Besides, the CFM difference (in terms of volume of air hitting you) should offset any negligible difference in the temperature of that air hitting you.

Can you get a vent temp gauge and measure the temp differences on the various fan speed settings?

majordan

Yes, the fan is working and the blowers motor is working like it should. I get cold air at fan speeds 1 & 2, warm air at fan speeds 3 & 4. I will try the therm test.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

See my post in your other thread

majordan

I think I found my problem. There is a leak from my compressor underneath it coming from a seam. I just noticed it today, after I got it on a lift. I am hearing that a compressor replacement requires you to change out the drier and the expansion valve. I feel good about changing out the compressor and drier, but not the expansion valve. Has anyone out there ever replace an expansion valve on a 3rd gen?

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

If you had a leak it wouldn't only not be cool on AC settings 3 and 4. Did you check out my suggestions in your other thread?

And did you inject dye into the system to determine the leak? Otherwise, unless you have a very large and fresh leak, you would not be able to visibly see it. Are you sure it's not oil or dirt or coolant just running onto and collecting at the compressor? The underside of the compressor is a magnet for oil/dirt/sludge running off just due to its placement.

majordan

There is definitely a leak coming from a seam underneath it, closer to the rear of of the compressor. You are correct in saying that the compressor is a magnet. I cleaned all the crap off of it underneath and I was visibly able to see the green dye leaking from the seam in the compressor.

nismax1994

Sounds like you found the problem. I think a system with low refrigerant can act like you described. Cold air under low heat load (low fan setting) then performance drops off under higher heat load (high fan setting.)

majordan

Got a new compressor, drier and expansion valve. Replacing the compressor and drier is easy. I need advice on how to replace the expansion valve.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Again, the expansion valve is super easy to replace - but you have to remove the dash and the dash support beam and then remove the evaporator box. After that, take apart the evaporator box and replace expansion valve which is self explanatory once you get the evaporator box apart.

majordan

Thanks James