2001 Dodge Caravan Need Help!!

2001 DODGE CARAVAN
95,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RTABAG
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I need to know what to do, my a/c in my van went out , it turns on but only blows hot air. I just had the whole thing repaired about 3 to 4 yrs ago, by a dodge dealer, now it has gone out agian, what do i do. I dont have money to have some one look at it and then pay even more money to have it replaced again. It's summer already and i have to get this fixed.. Can anyone help
Jun 29, 2009 at 11:19 PM
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JALOPYPAPA
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You can at least make sure it's nothing as simple as a blown fuse. Open the hood and run the engine and a/c. Locate and observe the compressor, which is run by the serpentine belt, in the lower corner nearest the radiator. If the pulley only free wheels and the center part doesn't engage and disengage, find the fuse in the box either in the engine compartment or under the dash and locate the a/c fuse. The compressor clutch is electromechanical. If it cycles on and off frequently, you may have low coolant, a leak, blockage or bad compressor. Obviously, the first possibility, low coolant, is the easiest to diagnose and fix, and it goes on up from there. Good luck.
Jun 30, 2009 at 12:07 PM
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RTABAG
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Ok we checked the fuse and that seems to be fine, on the way home from work i started to paly with the a/c and i found that if i set my air on 79 degrees that cooler air comes out.. NOT cold air but colder air, but when i set it back down to the realy cold setting for the a/c hot air comes out... Any idea what that could be.. And thanks alot for your info i'm trying not to spend all the money i got but with 2 small kids if this dont work ijust might have to do that.. By the way would you take it to the dealership or to a small auto place. What would be better?
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:09 PM
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JALOPYPAPA
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Not sure, but I'd choose a good independent shop over the dealer for non-warranty work. Maybe the expansion valve is partly blocked, so it works OK on a lower setting, but when volume increases, it can't get through. Often a lower fan setting feels cooler, I guess because air doesn't pass over the evaporator coils as fast. Maybe if they flush and refill the system it will be OK.
Jul 1, 2009 at 7:51 AM
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