Air conditioner not cooling properly

Tiny
RHONDA MCSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 200,000 MILES
Air blows cool air but not cold.
Sunday, April 5th, 2020 AT 5:53 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi.

Most times, it is related to the amount of charge in the system. Since we know it is working, then what I would suggest is trying to recharge it to top off the Freon in the system. Take a look through these links. The first link discusses common causes of a system not working or weak. The second explains how to add Freon to recharge or top off the system.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

_____________________________________

This is where I would recommend starting. Let me know if it helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Sunday, April 5th, 2020 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
RHONDA MCSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It's not Freon, Freon is full.
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Monday, April 6th, 2020 AT 5:51 AM
Tiny
RHONDA MCSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Could it be the sensor?
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Monday, April 6th, 2020 AT 5:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Absolutely, Rhonda. There are pressure sensors on the unit, specifically, a low pressure sensor. If it is bad, it will indicate low pressure and the system won't turn on. However, you indicated it is working but only cool and not cold. Is that correct? If it is, then a sensor isn't the issue.

If you are certain the system Freon level is full, then we need to make sure the blend air door is working properly to allow full operation of the A/C. Tell me. Is this a manual or automatic system? Also, do you have duel climate control?

Did you have a chance to look through the link I attached above regarding nonworking or weak systems?

Thanks,
Joe
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Monday, April 6th, 2020 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
RHONDA MCSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Manual and Freon is full. I told sounds like a switch won't turn on if that makes any sense.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It could be a switch. However, usually a low or high pressure switch will prevent the compressor from engaging. Since it is cool, then it is engaging.

Just for the heck of it, open the hood and start the engine. Have a helper turn the A/C on while you watch the A/C compressor. It should make a click and then you will notice the center of the pulley will start spinning. It should continue for awhile before it cycles off and then back on. If possible, confirm that is happening.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
RHONDA MCSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It was the switch.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
JACOBANDNICKOLAS is one of our best! Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
WRESTLINDEVIL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
The gauge does not move and the heater does not all ways blow out hot air?
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
The gauge problem is pobabley the engine coolant temp sensor, and the heat is most likely a thermostat problem
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRESTLINDEVIL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Can I fix this problem myself or does it need to be taken to someone.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Both of those are very easy to repair.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRESTLINDEVIL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the help
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Your welcome come back anytime at all
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LAMM90
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Air Conditioning problem
2001 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have an '01 Malibu and am trying to locate the EBM module, I've checked behind the dash (behind radio etc.) But I have had no luck in finding it, where is it? Thank you for your time.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JETSA
  • MEMBER
  • 117 POSTS
EBM=Electronic Brake Module I am assuming? If so it is located under the hood on the drivers side near the firewall. Look under the master cylinder.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LAMM90
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Actually I think I wrote it wrong. The problem is that the selector switches you use to select which vents to use are not controlling the way they should. I had a friend tell me the part number to get and it is a module with three female plugg (lt. Gray, gray and pink.) I've removed the center dash with the radio etc, but this module is not there.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JETSA
  • MEMBER
  • 117 POSTS
Ahh so you mean you cant control where the air blows out of the ac controls? There is a vacuum source to the ac control head which you can probably see a lot of multi colored vacuum lines going to the back of the control. Start the engine and take off that block of vacuum lines. If one has vacuum, the problem is most likely the control head itself. Is slightly possible that an actuator may be sticking, but going by the info you provided, I'd guess control head. Almost every 01 Malibu needs at least one ac control head during it's life, some need 2. It was a really bad design so all of them go out at one time or another.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WENDYCAMPBELL90
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Air Conditioning problem
2001 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Automatic

trying to recharge the ac on my car. We found the upper line but it looks like the lower line to recharge is behind the front right wheelwell. Does anyone know where it is and how we get to it.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
There are two ports, high and low. The recharge line only fits the low side, high side is too large.

Many cars have the low line underneath the car, you would have to raise car to get to it.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)

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