AirConditioner oddity

[Carlsummers]

I've had a problem happen now a couple of times on my '03. If it is hot out (Florida... how else can it be), and I switch the knob from "defrost" to "recirc full AC", then press the AC button, it seems as though the direction gate gets hung up, and will blow very little air through the direct vents. You can hear a "roaring" sound in the right hand corner of the dash (I assume that is where the direction chamber is). What's worse is if you let it stay like that for 5 or 10 minutes, then check under the hood, the compressor and the pipes are totally iced over. I going to take it back to the dealer (warrantee), but was wondering if anyone might have a thought on this. TIA.....

 

[Neal Whyte]

I just had a problem like that (don't need trouble like that in southern TX) Took it to the dealer and they changed the coil. It had a hole in it. Mine would do the same thing except even driving down the road in the normal A/C settings the air coming out of the vent got lower and lower until you would turn off the A/C and let it run a couple of min. Then would get cold for a while.



Since the dealer changed the coil I have not had the problem since.



Good Luck

 

[SSage]

I'm still having the same A/C problems you describe after four trips to Palmer Dodge in GA. I think they have replaced the condenser, compressor, defrost housing and door assembly. Whats the coil? You have a compressor, condenser and an accumulator right? Plus the heater core. I figure the condenser is the coil?



The air will work for about 20 minuets, then you have to turn it off for at least 2 and then it works for 20 again.



How could this effect the blower? If you have a bad compressor, why does that effect the air coming out of the vents? Dealer can't answer. I'm hoping they didn't change this "coil", I'll have to check the work orders when it stops raining. My dealer says they can't fix it and are supposed to contact a Dodge area rep for a solution.

 

[BJMarshall]

I think he is referring to the evaporator. It is the part inside the truck that actually gets cold. Looks a little like a heater core. When I lived over there I got decent service from the guys up in Canton.

Barry

 

[boonsur]

Keep us posted

Mine did that for the first time yesterday (2nd summer on it). Scared me that maybe I'd lost the refridgerant or something, but worked fine this morning. Maybe it's icing-up. I'd like to find out how to solve/prevent this.

 

[SSage]

Originally posted by BJMarshall

I think he is referring to the evaporator. It is the part inside the truck that actually gets cold. Looks a little like a heater core. When I lived over there I got decent service from the guys up in Canton.

Barry

Dealer in Canton, GA? Henna? Most dealers have the usual crap you must deal with some times and just grin and bear the stupid know it all. Henna sets new and much lower standards. I went over there about a year ago. Very nice and fancy dealer. Large too and by far the worst sales staff I've ever dealt with and we never talked money at all.



I don't know about the service department. But, the sales rejects are the worst I've ever dealt with. I'm amazed they sell anything at all. Very pushy, rude and obscene. Our sales man was the most typical greasy type you could imagine. Treated my Father and Mother the same way. They tried to convince me to buy a SO and would not stop even after telling them more than once in the most stern way to shut up or get me a new person to deal with. The sales manager was a drunk and well lit. The worst dealer I've seen period... . It was like a weird Steven king movie. My parents went in to buy a silver SLT that was on the lot. After the second put down about how they don't need a new truck they left. Kept trying to sell them a well used "demo" (SO they really wanted that one gone) that was well worn for the age of 6 months and equipped with a GN hitch. The firm price was 37K and the truck looked like a well worked farm truck.



We also looked at Henna's Chevys, when that sales man (very well informed and professional) followed up we told him the story. Says its a regular problem on the Dodge side. Lots of complaints. I later read their ratings on the net, all negatives from what I could find.



I bought my truck from Palmer in Roswell, they say Henna gets a lot of complaints about the sales staff. I was actually warned before I went over there looking for a different color, I figured it was just a dealer bashing the competition. It was just like Eric Palmer described, a zoo. I bought the black one from Palmer 8K off list. Great sales staff, poor service after the sale, right now they can't fix the A/C. They are trying again after they claimed it couldn't be fixed and its normal. No A/C for more than 20 is normal? The present truck had a mirror bashed and some paint damage while at Palmer for the A/C problem. :{



They fixed it, but it cost me a week in a Ford Supercrew rental that couldn't tow my trailer empty.



I wouldn't recommend that dealer (Henna) to my worst enemy if I had one. A totaly 100% awful experience. My Father thought it was a joke at first, dry humor. He reached his limit when the manager told him he didn't need what he asked for. Hows that for sales?



Palmer is great if you have no problems. My 98 was almost perfect. They have a way of making things worse though, I've always had to return multiple times for the same problem. A/C, TSB's, leaks etc. The engine has been perfect though.



I feel better!



Sorry for the long post... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . :{

 

[SSage]

Originally posted by boonsur

Mine did that for the first time yesterday (2nd summer on it). Scared me that maybe I'd lost the refridgerant or something, but worked fine this morning. Maybe it's icing-up. I'd like to find out how to solve/prevent this.

So would my service manager. After a few attempts they say they're not sure what to do next.

 

[BJMarshall]

Glad you feel better now SSage

When I was in Canton, I had a Dmax. My only experience was with the GM side. I just assumed, obviously wrong, that the Dodge side would have similar service. The GM guys were pretty good to me. The only messup I had with them was when they pulled my fuel filter off only to find out they didn't have one to put back on. Someone drove over to the other small dealer there in town to get one. They were pretty embarrassed.

 

[adsharpe]

Re: Keep us posted

Originally posted by boonsur

Mine did that for the first time yesterday (2nd summer on it). Scared me that maybe I'd lost the refridgerant or something, but worked fine this morning. Maybe it's icing-up. I'd like to find out how to solve/prevent this.

Mine does it also. I turn off a/c and fan. Then I turn fan on to see if fan is up to speed. When fan is up to speed, with a/c off, I get very cold air for one or two minutes, then it warms to outside air temp. Indicates to me that there is an icing problem.



Of course, a Dodge dealer can't fix anything. Beyond that, they'll screw something up if they get a chance. I'll never buy another Dodge, I don't care if they put in a gold plated Cummins, I will not buy from the arrogant &^^%$%&**(.



IMHO,the best thing that could happen to Dodge would be for the Daimler part to go back to Naziland.



I'd like to have this fixed but I know that the dealer I purchased it from doesn't have a service department by experience.



So, if I can't find a fix on my own, I guess we will trade it sooner than late.



It is obviously a known defect and should be TSB'd but don't hold your breath.



They'd rather buy 'em back than fixem. Oo.

 

[Bob4x4]

check for a problem in the fin sensor circuit...

 

[boonsur]

Bob 4x4... Please elaborate

 

[Bob4x4]

The correct term this year is evap temp sensor. It is a sensor that is physically pushed into the fins of the evap coil. The sad part is there is no access from the outside of the housing. To test it easily you will need a drb3. to change it you will have to remove the evap housing or do some creative hole saw work. Tilt the glove box door out of the way and you will see the wires entering the evap housing. The sensor or wiring can be shorted or open or you may just see an inacurate reading from the sensor. I think the cd I have at home is not quite right it only shows the sensor ground wire(db/gy)and the signal wire (lg/bk) I would think that it is a 3 wire sensor-supply,signal and ground. I havent had the displeasure yet to have to play with this system .



Bob

 

[Neal Whyte]

Ok here is what is printed on my service order.



System not cyclying, Duct Temp 28 degrees. Recover Freon, Locatged & replaced restricted evap coil/thermistor probe assy #24650201 coil, evaprator replaced



Then it shows 1 5073970AA evaporato-air conditionin FC: 08



I hope that gives a little more information.



Good Luck