Lloyd

Okay, now that summers here, I need to start using the A/C.

It blows warm air when sitting in traffic, or barely moving. But while driving at highway speeds, it get slightly chilled. But no where near as cold as it did last fall.

I noticed that the A/C fan in front of the radiator isn't spinning. Could this be the reason the air isn't cold? Seems to make sense, as the air cools off at speed, when air is passing over the condenser.

I also noticed a loud noise coming from the engine when the A/C is running. It's a loud squealing sound. First thing I thought of was the belt, but it seems to be coming from the middle of the engine, not from the belt.

Thanks for any help.

Roddimus Prime

sounds like your compressor may be locking up on you. Check out that fan first to make sure it's running right. Fans are cheap and easy to fix...compressors tend to get pricey.

Greigers-Gen 1

The system needs to be recharged every now and then, i believe you can get a kit to do it yourself, but it's best to take it in to a shop. Also, if the squeaking only occurs when the ac is on, it's the belt, or possibly the pulley, try changing the belt.

Roddimus Prime

if the clutch inside the compressor is going bad it can squeak also...I find that seems to be the problem more often than not.

midnightblue97

AC systems never need to be "recharged every now and then" They only need to be recharged when there is a leak.
If that happens to your car, then you've got a leak, be it slow or not.

Friend of mine works doing HVAC repair, installation etc.... He says that most of the time its a lack of refrigerant. Not sure about the noise, but it sounds that you could have a severe lack of refrig.

Roddimus Prime

agreed. HVAC systems are under pressure and sealed so if it ever goes dry or blows hot then there is another problem bigger than freon. Now adding a can or two (ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO ADD THE RIGHT AMOUNT!!) may allow to blow colder for a while but it's only a band-aid and you need stitches.

Greigers-Gen 1

Sorry, my dad has an old buick, and i know that every couple years we have to get the refrigerant changed because it starts blowing warm, maybe it's a different system. I don't have ac on my pro

Greigers-Gen 1

he has to add refrigerent sometimes, that's what i meant, poor wording i guess

midnightblue97

Well, its an older G.M. so.....

Lloyd

Thanks for the ideas.

Theres a salvage yard about an hour from here, so I'm going to get a fan first and see if that helps.

If that doesn't fix it then I'll try one of those R-134 retrofit kits and see if that helps. I'd rather stay with the old freon but I'm not going to pay what their asking.

Thanks again.

sysopt

If the A/C fan does not kick in, yes it will reduce A/C performance. Check the fan, relay, and wiring. If you dont have a test light, then its time to buy one, probably a jumper wire too.

A system thats low on refrigerant and oil will cause the compressor to wear quicker. If you only hear the squeek with the a/c its most likely the compressor. You can put dye in the system and run the A/C, find the leak, repair and refill the system.

Lloyd

Just wanted to give everyone a final update.

As it turns out the fan wasn't bad. I hard wired it to the battery as a test, and it started spinning. So I ran a switched power wire through the defroster fuse so now the fan comes on whenever the car is running.

I bought a R-134 retrofit kit, and added a can. The guage showed that it was filled to the normal range.

Now the A/C blows cold, and hopefully the overheating while stuck in traffic problem is resolved.

Thanks for all the help.

macdaddyslomo

Sometimes it's better to tackle it yourself...old R-12 systems by now are most likely going to have no freon...converting to R-134A is a good idea...expect to have to recharge your system once a year...here's what i do as a cheap way out...have the system vacuumed out...your system should take one 8 1/2 oz can of ester oil and two 12 oz cans of R-134a with leak sealant...charge it up right and it should last for a year or more

BlkNyt

I had the same problem and it was the relay one of the two located on the passenger side near the back of the engine bay

what a pro

why is it that when the a/c is of f it over heats can some one explain it and my a/c doesnt even trow cold air its all reguler air!!