A/C blowing hot air

Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 246,000 MILES
Took it to a shop and was told compressor was bad. I replaced the compressor, dryer, expansion valve and condenser. Had the system vacuumed down and recharged. Worked for two weeks. Had it charged again and it is now it is blowing only cool air. What could it be?
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 3:14 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If you had to have it recharged after two weeks, you must have a leak in the system. Take a look through this link first. It discusses possible issues with a system not working or weak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Also, here is a link that explains how to find a leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Replaced the schrader valves and recharged the system. Compressor engages but no cool air.
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

If the compressor engages, then you have enough freon in the system that you should get some cool air. Have you checked to see if the blend air door actuator under the dash is working? Also, do you know the high and low side pressures?

Let me know.

Joe
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+1
Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thanks. I found a small leak in the discharge line. I will be replacing it and will let you if it works. Where exactly is the blend air door actuator?
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

That's your problem. The Freon is slowly leaking from the system. As far as a blend air door, this vehicle has what is called a mode actuator. It is under the dash, but now that I heard you found a leak, I doubt this is the problem.

I attached a picture for you to see the part.

Let me know if that helps and if you have other questions. Also, let me know if fixing the leak takes care of the issue,

Take care,
Joe
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Well, we thought we found a leak, not so sure now. It was under the foam piece on the hose but after taking off the foam. We think it was just excess from when it was filled. Do you think it's safe to put some Creon with dye in the system? The only thing in the system not replaced was the evaporator, all other components are new. Is there a way to test the blend door actuator?
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Well we thought we found a leak, not so sure now. It was under the foam piece on the hose but after taking off the foam, we think it was just excess from when it was filled. Do you think it's safe to put some freon with dye in the system? The only thing in the system not replaced was the evaporator, all other components are new. Is there a way to test the blend door actuator?
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

I don't see why it would cause any problems if you added a dye. Follow the link I mentioned regarding how to find a leak.

As far as the blend air door actuator, you would have to check and see if it is moving the door. Here is a link that explains some symptoms related to a bad one and in general how one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

Let me know if that helps and what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Would the blend door actuator be bad if the heater works fine? I also see a diode in the fuse box marked A/C diode. If this was bad, would that cause no cold air?
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

If you can change from heat to ambient temperature, then chances are it is fine. As far as the diode, chances are no. A diode is designed to only allow power to flow in one direction. Even if it is bad, it shouldn't stop power.

Joe
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
CAWLADY1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thank you. I'm at my wits end with this. The only thing that hasn't been replaced is the evaporator and from what I've read, that is really low on the scale as the culprit for no cold air. What are your thoughts?
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

I agree. What I suggest is to have the system vacuumed and then see if it holds vacuum. That way you can determine for sure if it is a leak or if something else is happening.

Could it be the evaporator, yes it can. However, that is a big job and I would want to be sure first.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
joe
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 10:10 PM

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