A/C Gets Cold Only When Revving the Engine?

2013 HYUNDAI SONATA
164,000 MILES • 2.4L • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 280 POSTS
Start the car and ac, both fan and compressor are on, hot air. Leave it for 10 minutes, same thing. If I rev the engine high cold air start to come on, same if I start driving, really cold. I have a set of gauges but the low side gauge is bad so I hooked up one of those auto zone air charge connector and it shows it to be in the red, not at 150 but above 85. I connected the high side from my gauge set with both ends closed, opened the side where the port is and it shows 150psi. Also, not sure if related, the AC and RECIR buttons are always lit, you cannot turn them off if you press on them. I tried to scan for codes but it is not connecting to the hVAC module.
Jun 28, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yep, it sounds like you have a bad compressor or the expansion valve is stuck, I would replace the them both because I have seen way more compressors go out than expansion valves. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
Jun 28, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Avatar
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 280 POSTS
do you know where the expansion valve on these
Jun 28, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
It should be at the fire wall where the AC lines go into the passenger compartment. Sorry they don't have a pic, if you think you found it please upload an image so I can confirm.
Jun 29, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.