Questions tagged [ac]
Questions about Air conditioning systems - other Heating and ventilation questions should use 'hvac'
51
questions
72
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6
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Why does my A/C blow foul smelling air when it first turns on?
Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. After a while it seems to go away. I'm not sure if I just ...
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9
votes
1
answer
12k
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Why would turning on the A/C affect my alternator output voltage?
So yet another chapter unfolds in the A/C gremlin saga of my LS1 Chevy.
Backdrop
A/C compressor is relatively new (2 years old)
One of the belts is squeaking (not sure which one)
Recently performed a ...
- 39.2k
11
votes
3
answers
12k
views
What is involved to recharge the Air Conditioning System?
What is involved to recharge the Air Conditioning System? I believe you need a machine to do it, so I am guessing you can't do it yourself.
- 460
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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Which knob setting best cooks the mold inside HVAC?
I am trying to eliminate odors inside HVAC by cooking the mold that is presumably causing them, as suggested in https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/a/146/15334 (which got 39 upvotes)
However, I don't ...
- 215
0
votes
3
answers
2k
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Can you use white vinegar to remove ac smells?
I'm trying to remove smells which come when I put the ac on. I've seen videos where they used chemicals such as lycol. Im not a fan of strong chemicals. Would something like white vinegar be safe ...
- 2,858
24
votes
3
answers
114k
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Is starting your car with the A/C on bad?
I was always yelled at by my father when I was first starting to drive when I left the A/C on when I turned off the car, and then later turned it back on, with the reasoning that I was ruining / ...
- 592
22
votes
1
answer
2k
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A/C loses chill when turning on blower. Why?
Following the guidance from this Q&A, I measured the output temperature of my 2012 Town and Country A/C. Under the test conditions proscribed, with outside temperature of 87°F and 55% relative ...
- 871
18
votes
6
answers
22k
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Why is car A/C typically less reliable than fridges/freezers?
I just had the A/C in my car die on me again; air coming through the vents with the A/C is just as warm with it turned on as off. However, my fridge/freezer is something I've had for over 5 years and ...
- 283
12
votes
2
answers
147k
views
What temperature should the A/C blow?
The A/C output temperature on my 2012 Chrysler Town & Country feels diminished, especially in the rear seats' A/C vents. So, I had the refrigerant drained, measured, and topped off (dealership did ...
- 871
10
votes
8
answers
200k
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How do you detect and deal with a refrigerant leak?
My heat works great, but my AC is nonexistent. Just blows out normal air, which in this weather is quite hot and unpleasant.
I had the refrigerant refilled two years ago, but I haven't used the car ...
- 1,917
6
votes
1
answer
2k
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How to recharge my A/C
How would one go about recharging the Air Conditioning system on a car? My air conditioning is no longer blowing cold, and I think I need to recharge my A/C.
- 1,364
5
votes
2
answers
7k
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Is it difficult to retrofit Air Conditioning?
Car: 2003 Opel Agila 1.2
I would like to retrofit Air Conditioning to my car, as I'm planning to travel to a hot place!
My questions:
Apart from charging and discharging the system, which I would ...
- 6,555
5
votes
4
answers
17k
views
How to clean Car's HVAC and AC system
There is a relatively unpleasant smell in my car's HVAC, AC or heating system.
Failed idea#1: I removed the cabin air filter and sprayed lots of Lysol in there. It did not help much.
Failed idea#2: ...
- 950
4
votes
4
answers
16k
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AC Recharge- What did I do wrong?
I drive a 2010 VW Golf. The AC has not been working at all lately. Before taking it in to the pros, I bought an AC Recharge Kit and only got to step 1 on the directions.
When I hooked it up to the "...
- 143
2
votes
1
answer
77
views
How are AC leaks detected?
Continuing the saga:
I forgot to describe the exact symptom I have been experiencing. Here goes. After the AC failed suddenly on my '04 Corolla, I was advised to replace the compressor. When I ...
- 141
11
votes
2
answers
80k
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Huge puddle of water under car
I parked my Dodge Viper after driving for about two hours (in July, ~90°F, AC at full blast). Half an hour later I noticed a huge puddle under the engine, on the passenger side.
I am pretty sure it ...
- 707
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Shutting off fans at highway speeds
On my vehicle (92 Civic) and most others I've seen, the condenser fan comes on whenever the A/C clutch is engaged. This seems like a waste of electricity (and thus fuel) when cruising at 60-75 mph, ...
8
votes
3
answers
5k
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Vehicle AC works initially, but after driving for a while (hour+), the airflow drops to the point being ineffective
I have a 2004 Ford Excursion with the 6.0 powerstroke. Most the time, the AC works fine, but after a long drive in hot weather, the front AC barely blows out of the vents. The rear works fine, in fact,...
- 189
8
votes
4
answers
28k
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Air Conditioning Cools Intermittently
I have a 2001 Honda Civic. The A/C works pretty well - it comes on fast and blows cold. However, after 5 - 10 minutes it stops cooling and starts blowing warm air. If I turn the A/C off, after another ...
- 277
7
votes
4
answers
63k
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A/C does not cool when speeding more than 100kmph
I drive a 1.3 liter 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer. I have this weird problem with the a/c where it stops cooling when I try going above 100kmph. The a/c cools just fine under 100kmph. But when I go over ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
5k
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Heater smells like sulfur
I drive a 2006 Toyota Sienna. When driving with the heater on I often smell sulfur. This is more common when I am driving up a hill, but if I turn the heater off, the smell goes away. What causes this ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
1k
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Measuring A/C refrigerant I got 96 PSI, is 96 PSI bad?
I bought a car refrigerant gauge online because my A/C is not cooling the air at all and the first suggestion was to check your refrigerant to see if it is empty or low.
I found out where my car's "...
- 416
6
votes
1
answer
313
views
Do I have to get another Volvo?
I live in Florida and have mold allergies. Multiple times my 2008 Sienna van has a bad AC smell develop which makes me cough my head off. The dealer has cleaned the evaporator and ducts and the ...
- 69
6
votes
1
answer
534
views
What exactly is R-1234yf?
I keep on reading about a new refrigerant, R-1234yf, that is being adopted by some automotive manufacturers.
What is this refrigerant all about, why are manufacturers considering it and what makes it ...
- 39.2k
6
votes
5
answers
46k
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What's ECON and how is it used properly?
I drive mostly Asian cars which mostly have an air-conditioning interface consisting of a button saying "A/C". This makes sense to me since it's short for "Air Conditioning" (assumption :)). Also the ...
- 183
5
votes
1
answer
8k
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toyota corolla 2001 air duct smell [duplicate]
My 2001 Toyota Corolla recently started smelling very foul whenever the air system was turned on. According to the research I've done online, there is no cabin air filter to change. The glove box ...
- 53
5
votes
1
answer
13k
views
Stuff coming out from my AC
I recently left my car (Honda Accord) in the parking lot of my apartment complex for a little over a month while I was out of town. It was working fine when I left.
Now that I've come back, I've ...
- 81
5
votes
3
answers
18k
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AC compressor diagnosis - failed or failed with shrapnel?
What is the best way to diagnose if the compressor has simply failed versus self destructed with metal fragment release? I'd like to determine that myself before purchasing parts to make sure I buy ...
- 688
4
votes
5
answers
88k
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Rough idle when AC is on
My Toyota Vitz 2007 idles roughly when AC is on. If AC is turned off, the idle becomes much smoother.
This vibration is more visible if I suddenly stop in traffic. As soon as I stop, several rough ...
- 1,003
4
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Seemingly poor A/C efficiency in Chrysler Town & Country
I feel like the A/C in my 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is under-performing. So, I measured the A/C temperature output on it and my 2003 Toyota Corolla, and I'm having trouble reconciling the ...
- 871
4
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What can cause an AC to ice up?
Backdrop
Posting this for a friend.
Last Thursday 2011 Honda Accord AC stopped cooling all of a sudden.
The service center found the system low on refrigerant, topped it up and ran some dye through ...
- 39.2k
4
votes
1
answer
10k
views
A/C Does Not Continuously Blow Cold
I have an '06 Chevrolet Silverado with a 5.3L L33 engine and 146k miles. I have been having issues with the A/C not continuously blowing cold air. It seems to cycle between cold and luke-warm. I have ...
- 160k
3
votes
2
answers
888
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1995 Mercury Mystique - No more cool air from AC
I've got a '95 Mercury Mystique that I have been trying to fix the A/C or for awhile (as budget allows). I just had an overhaul from the shop...
Had a new compressor installed - the old one had ...
- 165
3
votes
1
answer
52k
views
What is compressor oil rating PAG ND-8 equivalent to?
The Land Rover LR3 service manual specifies:
Compressor oil : Denso ND-8 PAG oil
I'm scratching my head trying to figure out whether the following oil, which seems equivalent to ISO VG 32 would do ...
- 39.2k
3
votes
3
answers
1k
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How to get mold smell out of car - 07 Ford Mustang GT
This car sits under a cover for an unfortunate amount of time. It's a 2007 and only has 39,000 miles, if that's any indication. It probably only receives love during the summer and sporadically ...
- 313
3
votes
2
answers
65k
views
Can you use a vacuum pump on a charged A/C System?
I have a vehicle that is not currently running from which I am pulling the engine. To do so, I need to remove the A/C compressor and condensor, but it is currently charged.
I have borrowed an A/C ...
- 33
2
votes
3
answers
113
views
Loud whirring from AC compressor fans
I've seen a wide range of posts related to this topic, which makes it really difficult to narrow down relevant information that is applicable to my case. I'm hoping to get a more definitive answer by ...
- 151
2
votes
0
answers
380
views
A/C Air Recirculation
In my 2017 Toyota 4Runner I'm interested in a solution to keep recirculation on by pushing a button even when the defrosters are on. In other words, a wire to override the defrosters so recirculation ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
119
views
Is it better to have AC repair done during heat wave?
The AC failed suddenly out of the blue, took it to the shop. They replaced the compressor and stated there are no leaks (after testing with dye). However, the AC now takes, on a hot day, 15 minutes ...
- 141
2
votes
0
answers
146
views
Why may heating gradually stop after some time driving (and doesn't work in passenger side at all)?
This is a somewhat strange problem. Heating (in driver side) seems to work normal - after somewhere between 15-25 mins. driving or so, it gradually stops working. The warming in passenger side doesn't ...
- 71
2
votes
1
answer
1k
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Puddle under passenger side of car/ A/C blowing hot air
I have a 1999 Mazda 626. I drove 5hrs the other day from WA to OR. Traffic was horrible and it was blistering hot. I had my A/C going most of the time, although at one point it started blowing hot air ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
165
views
What compressor type does 2010 Lexus RX450h use
I'm a student studying motive power program at a college. Our instructor gave us an assignment to find out the specific vehicle's compressor type and which component is used TXV (throttle expansion ...
- 23
1
vote
1
answer
15k
views
AC alternates between blowing hot and cold in hot weather
When the temperature outside is cooler, say less than 80°F, and I turn my AC on, everything works great and I get nice cold air in the car. In the late afternoons however when the temperature is ...
- 335
1
vote
2
answers
100
views
Can you visually detect an AC car leak?
I was wondering if it actually possible to see an AC leak by eye.
Say one of the aluminum pipes were to leak, would you be able to see a specific type of discoloration caused by the refrigerant ...
1
vote
0
answers
13k
views
High-side, low-side pressure readings slow to equalize after turning AC off
I was helping a friend yesterday with their E53 X5's AC system when I noticed this strange behavior:
Before turning the AC on for the first time both high-side and low-side pressures read the same
...
- 39.2k
1
vote
1
answer
86
views
Air Conditionning cools very low, I mean nearly not at all
There’s 4 airflow speed on the car switch. They aren’t affected by whether Air conditioning is enabled or not.
However, even by setting air temperature to the lowest, there’s almost no difference ...
- 164
1
vote
1
answer
680
views
Honda Civic 2006 AC clutch disengaging when warm
My AC on my honda civic 2006 works very well for the first 15 - 20 min after starting the car. Then the clutch starts engaging and disengaging frequently until eventually in about 10 min it completely ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
383
views
2002 Ford ZX2 A/C compressor turns off when engine is warmed up, but works fine when engine is cold
Observations:
A/C and compressor work fine when starting car for the first time for the day
A/C and compressor stayed working fine when idling 5-10 minutes
A/C and compressor work fine for a few ...
- 13
1
vote
2
answers
22k
views
How can an A/C system consume coolant when in use?
I drive a 2007 Subaru Outback. Recently, I've noticed that when I use the air conditioning, my coolant level drops ever so slightly. The rate of loss seems to be related to the amount of time the A/C ...
- 964
0
votes
2
answers
20k
views
Air distribution map of a 2012 VW Passat?
My 2012 VW Passat has dual AC zones. The passenger side AC is not blowing cold air. The Driver's side does. in my slow debugging routine, I am looking at the Wiring Diagram, but I cannot figure out ...
- 696