Weak A/C at 65 mph and 95 degrees

[magothy1]

Was riding yesterday in the usual South Carolina heat at 65 or so and the A/C just quit, almost no air came out, it was as tho the fan quit, and what there was wasn't too cool. I recall seeing this mentioned a few other times, getting ready to run a search, any tips ?

 

[CumminsBu]

Check my read rig I have a tip the helps.

 

[ssanders60]

A/C not cooling at 65 mph

My 2003 Ram did the same thing recently, I cut the A/C off and allowed

the fan to continue blowing and noticed that it started to cool better

and then a few minutes later it warmed up, I realized it was freezing up

and tried this many times during the round trip (5 hrs ea. way), also

while driving in town it does not freeze up. I examined the condensation

pipe checking for a blockage.

After viewing the pictures here with the 5/8's hose attached, is the cause

for feezing up due to forced air blocking the outlet by not allowing the water

to escape??? I can't believe it's low in freon, you can hardly stay in the truck

it gets so cold and it's performed this this way since new.

I have not checked it to see if the compressor is cycling off and on as it should.

I've made many trips but this is the first time of freezing up, haven't made a trip since.



'03 H/O 4x4 slt, 48re quad cab

 

[Vudumedman]

I have had three different vehicles freeze up, always very high humidity and heat with A/C on low. Couldn't find anything wrong with any of them. Shop told me everything was "perfect". I run from Summerville SC to Jacksonville Fl every weekend and now keep the fan switch on second setting and turn thermostat up slightly if it gets too cold, and it usually does, but it has never frozen up on the trip. Never had this problem in the Ca desert, only back East in the high humidity.

 

[abrankod]

I know its hard to believe, but an AC system low on refrigerant will feel coldest just before it starts to fail by freezing up the evaporator in the dash.



Please have the system checked by a professional and don't just use the cans you see at the auto store. Unless you hang a gauge set on the system, you could be missing a key piece of the equation, be it moisture in the system, a partially plugged orifice tube or a failing compressor. Also, many of the over the counter products contain oils, sealants and other crud that can cause more harm than good in a system. If there is a leak, its much better to have a professional recover, fix and then evacuate/recharge the system than just to throw refrigerant at the problem.



-Dan

 

[MFalkinham]

After viewing the pictures here with the 5/8's hose attached, is the cause for feezing up due to forced air blocking the outlet by not allowing the water to escape???

I put a hose on my outlet, but it hasn't helped and I still get the freeze-ups. At least the condensation is now routed down to the ground instead of just running down the firewall. That was a terrible design on DC's part, along with the rest of the AC system. It's a shame that DC hasn't issued a recall for this AC freeze-up problem, as it seems like everyone with '03s has experienced it at some point.

 

[jelag]

You didn't say if the blower stopped or just seems to move less air... .



There has been a couple of fires based on the wires getting pinched by the tilt steering wheel... if the AC quit... have it checked now... . if it just slowed down... my guess is that its undercharged... . and is freezing from the system not being balanced...



My 04 has been great up until last week. . its now doing it... with 200K miles... it goes to the shop next week to get checked out... . we assume its just low on freon...



I've had my 04 quad cab 3500 across the desert at 110* pulling 20k Lbs of trailer and the AC and cooling systems will keep up just fine.....



Hope this helps...

 

[magothy1]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll get my local dealer to check the system. It will about run you out of the truck at 50 mph, or in town, it's real cold. I'll look at the hose idea, too. Problem with this dealer is they like to sell stuff, we went round and round over a belt tensioning pulley in my '98 gasser Ram, the coiled steel spring just needed a little penetrating oil on it and some gentle rocking. They said I needed a $286 part installed. The original is still doing fine three years later.