air conditioning problems 2004 2500

[Turbo1Ton]

Sorry to re-hash an old topic...

But yesterday I was driving around with my wife and my mother in the truck and the wife starts griping about the air not being cold. Long story short, I finally stuck my hand over the passenger side vent and it was a lot warmer than the driver's side. I haven't noticed any freezing up of the evaporator.



Is this definitely a low charge problem or a fin temp sensor problem or both? I would just like to know if anyone who had this problem had it successfully fixed and what it was before I go taking it in to the shop.



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[DPKetchum]

Low charge to start with. Only PART of the evaporator is cooling. The fin temp sensor relocation was to stop the freezing up when its has a proper charge. Bottom line is they have a design/leak issue. Lots of posts since 03 complaining of same issues over and over.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Makes sense. I'll see if they can put some dye in there to try to find the leak.



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[DPKetchum]

Mines had dye twice. Has not shown up. Bet it would if they pulled the evaporator!

 

[MMead]

I tried calling DC on this issue. They "researched" the problem for me and said they have never heard of a problem where the driver and passenger air was different and that I should take it to my local Chrysler dealer. Great.



My truck has had this problem from day one (should have had it fixed while still under warranty), but it does it from the second I start my truck so I wouldn't think it was something that is freezing up.



If I buy one of those cans of freon (or whatever the new stuff is) with the guage on the top, and hook it up to my AC, will that tell me if it's fully charged?

 

[DPKetchum]

Bull. Tell them you want a FILE OPENED until its corrected. I know for fact other dealers have reported this to STAR. Its been a issue since 03 and even a post or two about buybacks over this. In fact I'm going to call them over mine. Warranty runs out next month.

 

[MMead]

DPKetchum,



If you would please post here again after you talk to them to let us know what DC says the problem is and so we'll know what to say to DC so they can identify our issue. I probably didn't use the right words so the girl on the phone could look up similar problems in the computer. I just said one side blows cold air and the other side blows warm. Maybe I should have mentioned the sensor relocation?? Thanks.

 

[DPKetchum]

I don't think THAT issue is a sensor location. The freeze up (after a proper charge )is sensor location. Even working correctly when coming to a stop mine blows hot ambient air from pass side. As you start off pass side starts to drop and then will get withen a few degrees of drivers side. eahier on this site or DTR there have been posts about being in buyback/lemon law obertration over this.

 

[CMcDonald]

That reply from DC of "have never heard of it before" is bull ****! I have been fighting with them for over two years on mine.

 

[SKing]

My 03 had all these problems above hot air from passenger side vents also freezing up. I had the ac charged and it took 2 cans of coolant. . every thing works fine now. . And to think the dealer wanted to ripp my dash out because they could not find a problem.

 

[Bob4x4]

My 03 had all these problems above hot air from passenger side vents also freezing up. I had the ac charged and it took 2 cans of coolant. . every thing works fine now. . And to think the dealer wanted to ripp my dash out because they could not find a problem.

Where did the 134 escape to? :-laf



Bob

 

[DPKetchum]

When the LEAK can't be found UNDER the hood and has been recharged a few times I know what a GOOD tech will tell you whats next! Been that route MANY times over the years.

 

[SKing]

When we charged mine we added die and for 5 months we still have not found any leak. I say there is a 134 monster that sucks it out when people are in bed. :--) :--)

 

[DPKetchum]

Evaporator!

 

[SKing]

Checked it about 20 times no die found.

 

[SKing]

In my 2003 sevice manual 24-3 under pressure diagnosis the first condition is constant compressor engagement and warm air from passenger vents. Causes listed only 1. Low refrigerant system charge. Correction 1. check for leaks evacuate and charge system. I had this done at a A/C shop and no leaks found by A/C machine. I also own a leak detector light and I have still found no leaks. A/C still blows colder then it did when I bought the truck. It was 104 the other day and it blew like an ice box. If the dealer has the same manual why couldnt they fix it. I spent $75.

 

[DPKetchum]

How did you check it. Seen them checked with dye and sniffer and finally LOOKED at. Then leaked found. also seen shops and techs that checked and checked and ANOTHER tech say OH HECK you know wher its leaking and pull it apart and go SEE I told you so.

 

[SKing]

I think some of the trucks just come from the factory with low coolant. My A/C is working so good now if I have to recharge it every 100000 miles its alot better than ripping a dash out. I had no A/C problems till 98000 miles. I do have a bad defrost door that I will fix in October.

 

[SKing]

the evaporator can be checked by pulling the blower motor. You can shine a A/C light that way. Also the water that comes out will glow with dye as will the drain tube. . Just have dye in your system and a A/C light.

 

[DPKetchum]

On some autos tried the black light on drain hose and nothing. Pulled evaporator and bingo. It was in the foam. Jeep Gran Cherokees for one.