I have noticed over the last few weeks that I am having to turn the temp dial lower(colder) to get adequate cooling a/c air in the car where on auto/recycle modes. Today I have put it at the coldest setting, 60 degrees and it barely feels cold and cabin does not get cold, even if I have speed at its highest. Temp here is Texas has been in the 70s and car kept in the garage.

Gonna set an appt tomorrow but wanted to see if anyone experienced this and what fixed it.

Ian B

 

I had exactly that. I have a close relationship with my dealership, so they (luckily) did the right thing under warranty. They completely evacuated and recharged the A/C system to check for leaks and get the amount of refrigerant/oil in the system within the exact limits. As they explained it to me, this car (for some reason) is very sensitive to needing the exact amount of refrigerant, otherwise too little (or even too much) can cause this erratic behavior. After they did this, the system was much more consistent at holding temperature. HOWEVER, this system doesn't seem to allow you to get it really cold, esp. as the temperature you set is approaching the outside ambient temperature; it seems to want to control it to 60deg F even though you are trying to get 40 when it's 62 outside-not gonna happen. BTW-I also happen to be a Mechanical Engineer.

 

Thanks for the info me9798. Is this an all day job or something I can wait at the dealer while having it done?

Ian B

 

You're welcome...If they "do it right" it should take a while-this is because it takes time to pull a proper vacuum on an AC system; more than an hour. About another hour to recharge, check, etc. and possibly add some die to either check for leaks now or in the future. This is not a job I would try to force them to rush if you want them to do it right. Good Luck!...

 

Ok, will schedule as a drop off and pick up next day.

Appreciate your knowledge,

Ian B

 

Make sure your interior vent is always closed.You don't want any outside air mixing with the cold air .

 

Car dropped off today and service advisor went with me for a test drive. He noticed air cooler on right side vents than left side vents and driver's side. He said compressor on the right side and that is why cooler on that side. He was going to look at the air flow and if the flapper is opening correctly before doing any purging or looking for a leak. He will let me know by tomorrow. In the meantime, I have a lil Nissan Sentra. Temp here was in the mid 60s today and thus could not get inside air colder than outside air. It is supposed to get into the 80s today. I told him while the car waits to get serviced, please leave it out in the sun to get hot and then test the a/c before bringing it into the shade inside the shop.


Ian B

 

He pointed out to never use the auto button for air but, rather just hit the a/c button itself and adjust temp. Something weird about this Nissan system he said and its functionality.

Ian B

 

Got call back from service advisor this afternoon. He said a day temp sensor has gone bad causing the issue w a/c. Part will be in on Thursday and car ready afterwards.

Ian B

 

"a day" temp sensor ????...what kind of sensor would be that???
Appreciate your information...

 

good question. I get car back tomorrow and will report back. I have no idea as he left a vm only w that info.

Ian B

 

It seems to be the 2 black buttons in the speaker meshes located each one, over the front deck, near the windshield....they work measuring the windshield temperature when the car is exposed to the direct sunlight.

 

Got car back today w some serious cold a/c now. The culprit was the left side actuator sensor. It is found behind front bumper taking readings of outside temps. That failed, it was replaced and now I have great cold a/c.

Ian B

 

Glad your car A/C is working like must be....and thanks for share the culprit....