AC help...it's getting hot in here.

[mr.wilson]

Just when I think I come up with the most unusual problems with my truck, I drop a line to the TDR forum and POW!!! Well here is your chance to shine and not disappoint me.



I took a road trip to TX this Easter weekend and the tempature was much warmer than normal. I ran the A/C to keep the wife and kids comfortable, but noticed that after a while the truck was just not that cool. The vents on the drivers side of the truck were blowing nice cool air but the vents on the other side of the truck were blowing luke-cool air at best. I tried the recirculate verses strait outside air, not much difference.



Once in TX I took some time to drop the fan motor and watch and see if the door was closing off the outside air and it was. I ran the AC and could touch the inside condenser and it was getting cold. So the question is what could be causing the difference in tempature right side to left. The only real difference is the volume of air coming out of the passenger side vents is a little less than that of the drivers vents.

 

[rbattelle]

My first guess would be a broken blend door actuator, but it seems like you've eliminated that. My next guess would be a frozen evaporator. Barring that, it might just need a recharge.



-Ryan

 

[Tony T.]

I believe I have read some post on here before with same or similar related AC problem, of course thats been awhile back and not 100% sure. If you have not tried yet, you might try the search forum to see what you come up with. Sorry I could not of been better help, hope you get it figured out.



Tony

 

[GAllen]

I believe I have read some post on here before with same or similar related AC problem, of course thats been awhile back and not 100% sure. If you have not tried yet, you might try the search forum to see what you come up with. Sorry I could not of been better help, hope you get it figured out.



Tony

There's been a lot of talk about this but I don't know that anyone has ever come up with a concrete reason as too why. My son and I were talking about it today as my truck has this problem. I need to get it to the dealer at some point, but it would be nice to know what's happening before I do.

 

[TFucili]

My evaporator core was leaking, and replaced under warranty.



The a/c works better now, but I've had trucks that cooled better.

 

[jelag]

My BIL has a Laramie with the dual cliamate control... . he has the same problem and found that with the controls set very low, it freezes the evaporator and would really slow down and stop cooling... . once it had set for a bit... it would be fine... . it was melting off... .



My SLT's don't have this feature and I tend to run the AC with higher blower speeds, and will mix the air, using the heat/ac control to keep the temperature where I want it... . I've never had a problem... .



He has since started to run his AC the same way I do... and now he's doing fine except for listening to him complain because the automatic feature always freezes up on him... ... . I smile at him..... but I've got a new Jeep Grand Cherokee with the same system as he does... I'm sure I'm going to have the same problem this summer..... Its so easy to set the heating system now and forget it.....



Hope this helps... . OH BTW, he had his truck has been checked a couple of times before we figured out what was going on..... no one found a problem... .

 

[LesStallings]

I noticed a gradual decline in AC performance that by the end of last year's cooling season resulted in an increased tendancy to freeze up the evaporator. A few weeks ago I put the AC gages/manifold on and YES, the R134a charge was very low. I added two cans of R134a and everything is back to normal, working very well in fact.



My truck is an `04 and I guess it was just time for a recharge. I don't have any obvious leaks. Freezing up the evaporator is one sure sign of low charge and I'm happy that the fix (so far) was simple and painless. A few years ago I bought the gauge/manifold setup from Northern. At the same time I picked up a case of R134a from Sam's Club. I don't have $100 in total costs. I originall used it for a restoration when adding AC to a 1960 car. Now the "left overs" are being put to good use!

 

[HLewallen]

I have also heard this talked about before, and I also have warmer passenger side air, and I also would love to know if anyone had new info. It is starting to get hot, and I am already noticing it. I am going to try searching on the topic (probably could have done that before I posted), but anything new would be cool. I mentioned it to my dealer last summer and they just said the 134 was fine and did nothing else. And I hesitate to push them into tearing my truck apart without more info first.

 

[mr.wilson]

That was my next step was to have the coolant checked. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this my self. I have noticed that after a while the air flow slows down and if I turn the AC off for a few minutes that it would pick back up. Almost like it was freezing up as you suggested. I think this will make a great weekend project to get this checked. I will give an update as soon as I know something.



Thanks,

 

[CumminsBu]

You could try this Thread...

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153466&highlight=ac+fix

 

[DPKetchum]

Many threads and posts on this subject every summer since 03s came out. My truck has same issue. Always LOW charge. Also a FIN TEMP relocation to help keep system from freezing. I think there is a MAJOR issue with slow leaks.

 

[ChrisKringle]

I remember reading a post, someone swears by his a/c mechanic, guess he flushed the system to remove all air, then added something like liquid ice additive, or something of that nature, then said it was like twice as cold. My a/c sucks too, even comparing my 04. 5 to my 03. Dodge probably decided to cut another corner.

 

[CMcDonald]

I think I was one of the first to openly post about this problem. I have been chasing it for two years now. I have over ten attempts at fixing it. Everything from replacing blend door assemblies, evaprators, moving temp fin sensors, checking freon level, replacing various lines including the one with the orifice tube, and anthing else that could have been thought of. I have not given up and neither has DC. I have gone as high as having the regional service manager ride in my truck. It will not stay cool on the passenger side. It has now gone to an attorney in Detroit that works for DC. The dealer actually turned it over because they have run out of ideas on what to do next. I believe I have an open and shut case for the lemon law but you will still get screwed because an "exchange" does not exist in court. Anyway the attorney is working with an engineer at DC that is an A/C designer. They keep telling me that DC is committed to fixing the problem and that they are not giing up. I love the truck otherwise I would have dumped it along time ago. If anyone has any questions please drop me a PM or e-mail.

 

[DPKetchum]

I've been chasing same issue since summer of 03. Star(tech assist) once said a 12 DEGREE differance from left to right was acceptable! Bull! If and when it works ok I have a 2 to 3 degree differance BUT if on FRESH and coming to a STOP the right side vents ONLY will breifly go ambient temps. Like 85 to 90 degrees! ( I have TWO $5. 00 thermostats one in right vents,one in left vents)Then when starting off from a stop will quickly drop and finally get to normal. Wife says that BLAST of air air is NO FUN. On RECIR this does NOT occur. Its pulling HOT pavement temp from somewhere. I'm also determined to stay on D. C. s butt until its repaired.

 

[oilburner]

I have the exact same problem. Charge OK, blend doors replaced, and fin temp sensor repositioned. I still have that strange problem of the pass side going warm on acceleration from a stop. But it is ice cold and steady on the highway. My guess is it is some kind of refrigerant flow issue in the evaporator. I have decided to live with it for now as my dash is getting torn up with all the disassembly every time I bring it in.

 

[Big MAK]

A/C and Defrost has been intermittent for about 1 1/2 years. Compressor clutch doesn't engage. It will eventually grab after high RPMs crank it up. Scary flooring it to high speeds when the windows are fogged and you cant' see. I guess Dodge is OK with the liability issues.



Six times to the shop...

 

[DPKetchum]

Mine did NOT do this from the get go. First summer was ok for a while then the system was slightly low and a issue. Since then its been evacuted three times for being low but the huge temp GAIN when stopping from pass side has been a issue. On RECIR it does not occur.