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Got AC fixed, blows cold only sometimes

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Old May 23, 2009 | 04:40 PM
  #1  
BX_Civic's Avatar
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Default Got AC fixed, blows cold only sometimes

Ok so i got my AC fixed or so i thought. My buddy has been going to this Mechanic for some time now so i dont think he trying to jerk me or anything like that.

Basically i had the AC system fixed with a new compressor, dryer and stuff. Paid like 700 with labor and refill.

So if i turn the car on and the AC on it works great. If i start driving with the AC most ,and that's the tricky part, of the time it will no longer continue to blow cold and will begin to blow only cool and it starts feeling pretty humid.

If i park or even start driving really slow like public roads the AC seems to begin working again, but only most of the time, ive had at least one occasion were it still blew warm when i began driving on local roads again.

I took the car back once already for this issue but didn't tell him it needed to be driven as i didn't really realize that was the issue for a few more days.

So i don't think the issue is the AC itself but something else but i have no idea what it could be. Can anyone help me out with trying to figure out what could be the issue or what to tell the mechanic to check.
 
Old May 23, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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Its usually the other way around. Gets warm when you sitting still. Only thing I could think it would be is something with the fan switching off.
 
Old May 23, 2009 | 10:07 PM
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Likely a faulty a/c compressor relay. I had the same problem.
 
Old May 24, 2009 | 04:31 AM
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Originally Posted by plethoric33
Its usually the other way around. Gets warm when you sitting still. Only thing I could think it would be is something with the fan switching off.
Yeah, that's the thing that bugged me out too. By fan do you mean the blower motor? Cause the air still moves, its just not cold.

Originally Posted by trustdestruction
Likely a faulty a/c compressor relay. I had the same problem.
You know, i should have thought of that. I guess ill have him look at that as well. Is that alot to replace part and labor wise?
 
Old May 24, 2009 | 06:45 AM
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I mean condenser fan, not blower fan. If the condenser fan shuts off once you start driving, it will cut down on air flow and heat up. A lack of airflow or an over heating system will cause the compressor to shut off.
 
Old May 24, 2009 | 08:15 AM
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You should drive until it is not cooling, then pull over (leave the engine running and the A/C button pressed) and look under the hood. Check if the compressor is still engaged (plate next to the pulley is spinning) and if the condenser fan is running. Also feel the line that goes from the firewall to the compressor, which should get cold and sweaty. This is the larger line to the compressor. Do not touch the other line from the compressor to the condenser, it is normally very hot.

These tests will tell a lot about the situation, of course you need to do them when it is not cooling.
 

Last edited by mk378; May 24, 2009 at 08:17 AM.
Old May 24, 2009 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by mk378
You should drive until it is not cooling, then pull over (leave the engine running and the A/C button pressed) and look under the hood. Check if the compressor is still engaged (plate next to the pulley is spinning) and if the condenser fan is running. Also feel the line that goes from the firewall to the compressor, which should get cold and sweaty. This is the larger line to the compressor. Do not touch the other line from the compressor to the condenser, it is normally very hot.

These tests will tell a lot about the situation, of course you need to do them when it is not cooling.
Ok i can try this this weekend for sure. Hopefully its something silly like the relay so that i don't have to put any more real money into this as i already paid 700 and that's a lot considering i only paid 1700 for the car.
 
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 07:54 PM
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Default i had the same problem

my a/c would turn on when i first started my car and then it would turn off when i looked under the hood the compressor wasnt running so i searched the internet and found this arcticle which directed me to the compressor relay so long story short i started pushing on the clip towards the front of the car and the compressor would kick in so i took the relay off and bent the prongs in slightly and now i have a/c all the time the relay is located on the right side of the front of the car there are two next to each other the one that you want to check is the one that is closer to the condenser n e ways i hope this helps you out sorry you spent that much money on it i would have spent the same if i didn't work on my car my self because i did every thing that you did.
 
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