A/C not blowing cold

doodie · 04-04-2010, 06:54 PM

It recently got a little warmer here and when I turned on the AC I noticed it wasn't blowing cold at all. When I looked at the compressor, it wasn't spinning either so I put in a can of R134a. It was cold for about 10 minutes and it just got warm again. The compressor was still spinning but warm air just came out. I turned the car off and came back later on and turned the A/C back on and it was cold again for 5-10 minutes, sometimes warm air will just come out without any cold at all for any time. Is my compressor going bad?

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CSwrx22 · 04-04-2010, 07:06 PM

do you have it on recirculate? i know sometimes if you have it bring in fresh air it does not get as cold. also you might have a ac line leak somewhere, or just need to get the system drained and refilled.

doodie · 04-05-2010, 09:28 AM

Thanks CS,

no one has another clue besides a flush?

djerickd · 04-05-2010, 11:39 AM

leaky seals.

avk · 04-05-2010, 11:52 AM

A set of gauges is necessary to come up with a meaningful diagnosis.
For example, it would help to know how the readings change once it stops blowing cold.

doodie · 04-05-2010, 05:11 PM

I don't have any guages to plug in to see whats wrong. All that happens is that when the car is first turned on, it will be ice cold for 5 minutes. Then it would go warm totally.

Rickyh · 04-06-2010, 04:02 AM

If this is an intermittent problem it could be the expansion valve sticking. You should not keep attempting to run the ac until you get this sorted out cuz if that is the problem the pressure is going sky high in the system and it can ruin the compressor (I actually had the discharge hose explode before from this) You need a set of manifold gauges and you need to know how to read them to determine what the problem is. Dont keep dumping refrigerant in there assuming that you have a leak cuz if it has a full charge you are just gonna make matters worse. If it was low on refrigerant it would blow warm air all the time and if it was low enough the compressor wouldn't turn on at all. Do a search for expansion valve and read up on it.

XanRules · 04-06-2010, 12:15 PM

call the amberlamps, sounds like you're leaking.

doodie · 04-06-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickyh

If this is an intermittent problem it could be the expansion valve sticking. You should not keep attempting to run the ac until you get this sorted out cuz if that is the problem the pressure is going sky high in the system and it can ruin the compressor (I actually had the discharge hose explode before from this) You need a set of manifold gauges and you need to know how to read them to determine what the problem is. Dont keep dumping refrigerant in there assuming that you have a leak cuz if it has a full charge you are just gonna make matters worse. If it was low on refrigerant it would blow warm air all the time and if it was low enough the compressor wouldn't turn on at all. Do a search for expansion valve and read up on it.

K, thanks for all the info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanRules

call the amberlamps, sounds like you're leaking.

what's the amberlamps?

Also, a little update... I noticed that everytime I turn off and turn the car back on, the AC would be ice cold again. 5-10 minutes later, it gets warm. Turn off the car, then back on and it's cold again.

Rickyh · 04-06-2010, 08:51 PM

If it was low on refrigerant it would be warm all the time. It is not leaking.

doodie · 04-06-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickyh

If it was low on refrigerant it would be warm all the time. It is not leaking.

That's what I was thinking too. I'm thinking it's more of an electrical issue. Think it might be the relay?

Rickyh · 04-06-2010, 09:58 PM

No. if the compressor is turning and it is intermittently blowing warm and cold air it is not electrical. If it was electrical the compressor would not turn on. A sticking expansion valve will cause the symptoms you are describing. Next time you turn it on, when it starts blowing warm air check and see if the compressor is turning. If the compressor is turning and it is blowing warm air, there is either a blockage (like a stuck expansion valve) or another thing I have seen is the radiator fans not turning on. I have seen a car build up really elevated high side pressure because the fans were not pulling any air through the condenser while the compressor was on. This is probably not your problem cuz the car would also be overheating if the fans were not on. There are a couple other possibilities such as the blend door being stuck but it would also blow hot air all the time

doodie · 04-06-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickyh

No. if the compressor is turning and it is intermittently blowing warm and cold air it is not electrical. If it was electrical the compressor would not turn on. A sticking expansion valve will cause the symptoms you are describing. Next time you turn it on, when it starts blowing warm air check and see if the compressor is turning. If the compressor is turning and it is blowing warm air, there is either a blockage (like a stuck expansion valve) or another thing I have seen is the radiator fans not turning on. I have seen a car build up really elevated high side pressure because the fans were not pulling any air through the condenser while the compressor was on. This is probably not your problem cuz the car would also be overheating if the fans were not on. There are a couple other possibilities such as the blend door being stuck but it would also blow hot air all the time

Thanks a lot Ricky, you've been a lot of help. I've done some searches on the expansion valve and it really does seem like that's the culprit. I'm going to be ordering a new one to put in sometime next week I think. Actually found it on ebay for $48+5 shipping. Cheapest everywhere.

thanks again.

Rickyh · 04-06-2010, 10:38 PM

I would be surprised if that is not your problem. It is easy enough to swap out. I have never seen them go that cheap. 48 bucks is a steal if it is the right one. Remember to get some new 0 rings. You will need two of them and they are two different sizes. you can get a pack of multiple sized o rings from autozone for about ten bucks. They will also loan a vacuum pump and manifold gauges to you so that you can vacuum it down and charge it back up.

doodie · 04-06-2010, 10:57 PM

Yup, actually did a search on Autozone and Pepboys, they have it for even cheaper. Brand new expansion valves for $22

joec wrx · 04-07-2010, 05:39 PM

Which expansion valve did you go with? Kragen or Autozone? I'm having the same problem as you and I think it's worth trying out. Let us know how it goes. Thanks

doodie · 04-13-2010, 10:05 PM

update: ordered one from autozone, came out to be $30 with shipping. I'll be putting it in tomorrow or the day after depending on sunlight when i get home from work. It looks exactly like the pictures I've seen posted online.

Rickyh · 04-13-2010, 10:17 PM

Don't forget the o rings.

doodie · 04-14-2010, 09:09 PM

Yeah, the one from autozone came with o rings so i didn't buy any. I got around to change it out today and noticed that the o rings that came with the valve were thinner than the ones on the car. I went around to a local auto store, autozone and strauss and couldn't find any o rings at all. So I inspected the ones that were on the car and cleaned it off. None of the o rings looked ripped so I threw it back on.

Haven't vaccumed the system and refilled it yet since it took me a while because it's in such an awkward position. I'll follow up tomorrow after I vaccume and refill.

Rickyh · 04-14-2010, 11:40 PM

Barring any leaks, all should be well. If it won't hold a vacuum it is probably leaking by those o rings. If they looked like they were in good shape you might be ok with it.

doodie · 04-15-2010, 10:25 PM

quick update. Had the A/C system vaccumed today and refilled it with 2.25 bottles of r134a. It looks like it did the trick, everything seems to be holding up good, might need another 1/2 can or so of refridgerant. Thanks Ricky.

Rickyh · 04-17-2010, 03:05 PM

That seems like a lot of refrigerant. I believe it is only supposed to take 16-19 ounces....maybe my memory is bad though.

Rickyh · 04-17-2010, 03:09 PM

yep. just went outside and checked. It only needs 16-19 ounces. Bout a can and a half. I guess you have 12 ounce cans. Too much of this stuff won't make it cool better. If you look right in front of the radiator closer to the drivers side there is a sticker that tells you how much r134 to fill it with.

doodie · 04-17-2010, 10:42 PM

okay cool, when I asked the mechanic they told me about 3 cans... I'll go release some of it.

Dramabomb · 04-22-2010, 02:16 PM

I have this same issue. How hard is the expansion valve to replace? Are there directions anywhere?

04-04-2010, 06:54 PM	#1
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	A/C not blowing cold It recently got a little warmer here and when I turned on the AC I noticed it wasn't blowing cold at all. When I looked at the compressor, it wasn't spinning either so I put in a can of R134a. It was cold for about 10 minutes and it just got warm again. The compressor was still spinning but warm air just came out. I turned the car off and came back later on and turned the A/C back on and it was cold again for 5-10 minutes, sometimes warm air will just come out without any cold at all for any time. Is my compressor going bad? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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04-04-2010, 07:06 PM	#2
CSwrx22 Scooby Specialist Member#: 216675 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 07 Impreza WRX UGM	do you have it on recirculate? i know sometimes if you have it bring in fresh air it does not get as cold. also you might have a ac line leak somewhere, or just need to get the system drained and refilled.

04-05-2010, 09:28 AM	#3
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Thanks CS, no one has another clue besides a flush?

04-05-2010, 11:39 AM	#4
djerickd Scooby Guru Member#: 3782 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tampa Btch! Vehicle:* 02 WRX WFC#040 Clean on 19's	leaky seals.

04-05-2010, 11:52 AM	#5
avk Scooby Specialist Member#: 17252 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: '06 WX8 59E	A set of gauges is necessary to come up with a meaningful diagnosis. For example, it would help to know how the readings change once it stops blowing cold.

04-05-2010, 05:11 PM	#6
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	I don't have any guages to plug in to see whats wrong. All that happens is that when the car is first turned on, it will be ice cold for 5 minutes. Then it would go warm totally.

04-06-2010, 04:02 AM	#7
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	If this is an intermittent problem it could be the expansion valve sticking. You should not keep attempting to run the ac until you get this sorted out cuz if that is the problem the pressure is going sky high in the system and it can ruin the compressor (I actually had the discharge hose explode before from this) You need a set of manifold gauges and you need to know how to read them to determine what the problem is. Dont keep dumping refrigerant in there assuming that you have a leak cuz if it has a full charge you are just gonna make matters worse. If it was low on refrigerant it would blow warm air all the time and if it was low enough the compressor wouldn't turn on at all. Do a search for expansion valve and read up on it.

04-06-2010, 12:15 PM	#8
XanRules Scooby Guru Member#: 157348 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Vehicle: high impact sexual violence	call the amberlamps, sounds like you're leaking.

04-06-2010, 08:51 PM	#10
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	If it was low on refrigerant it would be warm all the time. It is not leaking.

04-06-2010, 09:58 PM	#12
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	No. if the compressor is turning and it is intermittently blowing warm and cold air it is not electrical. If it was electrical the compressor would not turn on. A sticking expansion valve will cause the symptoms you are describing. Next time you turn it on, when it starts blowing warm air check and see if the compressor is turning. If the compressor is turning and it is blowing warm air, there is either a blockage (like a stuck expansion valve) or another thing I have seen is the radiator fans not turning on. I have seen a car build up really elevated high side pressure because the fans were not pulling any air through the condenser while the compressor was on. This is probably not your problem cuz the car would also be overheating if the fans were not on. There are a couple other possibilities such as the blend door being stuck but it would also blow hot air all the time

04-06-2010, 10:38 PM	#14
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	I would be surprised if that is not your problem. It is easy enough to swap out. I have never seen them go that cheap. 48 bucks is a steal if it is the right one. Remember to get some new 0 rings. You will need two of them and they are two different sizes. you can get a pack of multiple sized o rings from autozone for about ten bucks. They will also loan a vacuum pump and manifold gauges to you so that you can vacuum it down and charge it back up.

04-06-2010, 10:57 PM	#15
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Yup, actually did a search on Autozone and Pepboys, they have it for even cheaper. Brand new expansion valves for $22

04-07-2010, 05:39 PM	#16
joec wrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 112359 Join Date: Apr 2006 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Central Valley,CA Vehicle: 02 WRX VF39 - Sold	Which expansion valve did you go with? Kragen or Autozone? I'm having the same problem as you and I think it's worth trying out. Let us know how it goes. Thanks

04-13-2010, 10:05 PM	#17
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	update: ordered one from autozone, came out to be $30 with shipping. I'll be putting it in tomorrow or the day after depending on sunlight when i get home from work. It looks exactly like the pictures I've seen posted online.

04-13-2010, 10:17 PM	#18
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	Don't forget the o rings.

04-14-2010, 09:09 PM	#19
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Yeah, the one from autozone came with o rings so i didn't buy any. I got around to change it out today and noticed that the o rings that came with the valve were thinner than the ones on the car. I went around to a local auto store, autozone and strauss and couldn't find any o rings at all. So I inspected the ones that were on the car and cleaned it off. None of the o rings looked ripped so I threw it back on. Haven't vaccumed the system and refilled it yet since it took me a while because it's in such an awkward position. I'll follow up tomorrow after I vaccume and refill.

04-14-2010, 11:40 PM	#20
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	Barring any leaks, all should be well. If it won't hold a vacuum it is probably leaking by those o rings. If they looked like they were in good shape you might be ok with it.

04-15-2010, 10:25 PM	#21
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	quick update. Had the A/C system vaccumed today and refilled it with 2.25 bottles of r134a. It looks like it did the trick, everything seems to be holding up good, might need another 1/2 can or so of refridgerant. Thanks Ricky.

04-17-2010, 03:05 PM	#22
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	That seems like a lot of refrigerant. I believe it is only supposed to take 16-19 ounces....maybe my memory is bad though.

04-17-2010, 03:09 PM	#23
Rickyh Scooby Specialist Member#: 40453 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Metairie, Louisiana	yep. just went outside and checked. It only needs 16-19 ounces. Bout a can and a half. I guess you have 12 ounce cans. Too much of this stuff won't make it cool better. If you look right in front of the radiator closer to the drivers side there is a sticker that tells you how much r134 to fill it with.

04-17-2010, 10:42 PM	#24
doodie Scooby Newbie Member#: 14578 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: brooklyn Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	okay cool, when I asked the mechanic they told me about 3 cans... I'll go release some of it.

04-22-2010, 02:16 PM	#25
Dramabomb Scooby Specialist Member#: 141781 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Southern NJ Vehicle: 2012 Dickstorm	I have this same issue. How hard is the expansion valve to replace? Are there directions anywhere?