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Air Conditioner starting to act funny

Tiny
LOVEMYSL2
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 227,800 MILES
It started about a week ago. It would be that big of a deal but it gets super humid and my car feels like a sauna. I would turn the air conditioner on, and it would take a few minutes for it to get cool. When I came to a stop light, the air would go back to hot. The compressor will turn on only when I am up to about 30 mph. I checked the refrigerant. It wont read accurately because when in park, the air conditioner full blast, the compressor will shut off. It will read ridiculously high. My check engine light is on but it has nothing to do with my air conditioner. It is my O2 sensor, easy fix. So to conclude, when idling/ in park my air conditioner will blow hot air. It will blow cooler air while moving. (Cooler then if it was just the fan on) Any suggestions would be fan-freaking-tastic.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 8:53 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
With the air condtioner on the compressor running is the radiator fan working? Sounds like the radiator fan is not working.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
LOVEMYSL2
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  • 3 POSTS
I believe it is. My car temperature wont exceed the half way mark when idling or moving. I had an issue years ago with the temperature coolant sensor. My car would "say" is was cool when it was visibly overheating. And the engine fan would not kick on unless the air conditioner was on. But I have not had an issue with it since I replaced the sensor.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So there is plenty of air coming out of the radiator fan when the radiator fan is on? It really sounds like there is not enough air flow through the radiator and the air conditioner condenser when your not moving.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
LOVEMYSL2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Alright. So is there a way I can check this at home? I know to check the relays and fuses. I am totally up for changing it myself is necessary. I do not want to pay someone I can do myself. What is happening when I speed up? Is the fan kicking on because I am accelerating so therefore the air condtioner kicks on?
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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That will cause the air conditioner pressure to rise and the air conditioner compressor to turn off.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
No when your driving it is pushing air thru the condenser and radiator to reduce the the air conditioner pressure. Make sure the fan is running and there is plenty of air coming out of the fan with the air conditioner compressor on. It is common for sand etc. To build up in the fins of the radiator and condenser. That reduces air flow through them.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 11:48 AM

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