A/C blows Super cold at night but on hot summer day barely cools car

CHRISCHUNG221

MEMBER
2005 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
289,000 MILES

My A/C will literally blow so cold even on number 1 that in the evening I have to turn it off. It might be 80 degrees outside. However if temperatures hit 95 and above during the day, can barely feel the A/C. What gives? Any ideas? Was thinking maybe to tint the windows?

Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 4:33 PM

3 Replies

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey CHRISCHUNG221,

When you turn the A/C on at idle does the radiator cooling fan cut in?

It should cut in shortly after you turn the A/C on to provide enough air flow to cool the condenser.

If this is okay I would next suspect either a low refrigerant charge or a slipping A/C belt.

Have you had the A/C serviced since you have owned the vehicle?

Regards, Joe

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Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 10:51 PM

CHRISCHUNG221

MEMBER
17 POSTS

Thanks for the quick reply! No, haven't had the AC serviced. Radiator fan does cut on. Charged the refrigerant. Would it be able to cool properly at anytime if the belt was slipping? It gets super cold if the temperature is in the 80's. I'd hate to see what Ford charges to service the A/C. Probably more than the blue book value of the car.

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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 4:58 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Lets double check the charge for the AC using this video and this AC not working guide:

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

and

https://youtu.be/uZrQCGwXfek

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 7:21 PM