Problem with 1997 AC... how to determine Condensor as problem?
 

Well the AC cools really good in the evening /night or when the weather is not over 94* outside.... But when its over 95*, the AC doesnt blow as cool....
Does this sound like a condensor problem or maybe just needing a freon re-charge?
Its a '97 with 105k.....
Thanks!

sounds normal, with weather close to 100 degrees, everything is so hot that it will take a long time to cool of the dash and the car itself before you feel the cool are from the vents.

The hotter it is, the longer for your car to cool down. Especially when you are black on black with leather!

But the thing is, the AC isn't blowing cool.. Its almost (but not quite) just like running the Econ option (straight outside air)... Theres only alittle coolness to it.
What role does the Condensor play exactly? The reason I think its a bad condensor is that when im on the highway ( and 100* weather) it blows cooler, possibly because the condensor is getting air forced up on it.
When do you know its time for a new condensor? There is a guy locally selling a condensor off a '98 for $40... dont want to let that deal be passed up if i need it!

You are just guessing at possible causes unless you have put the gages on the system. It is quite likely that the compressor is bad, leaking internally. This is a common problem with the 4th Gen AC compressor. Even if the refrigerant charge is correct, the low side pressure will be too high, perhaps 55-70 psi. The result is you will not be getting any cold air thought the vents.

1. have the pressures checked
2. clean the fins on the condenser (cleaner = more efficient)

Thanks guys.... I went to this little shop before reading the new replies and this is what happened. They put some freon in and said to drive it for a couple of days to see if it leaks out again. The AC is blowing really cool now. They said it might be the drier.
We'll see how it plays out.,,,, thanks for all the replies

Well hopefully they did not simply add refrigerant without first measuring the L & H side pressures. Even better would have been to fully evacuate the system and refill with exactly the proper charge. Hopefully you will figure it out.