AC Problems

IONWASH

MEMBER
SATURN

2003 Saturn Ion, 55K miles, 2.2

Last summer the AC worked fine. The compressor would not engage this spring. I tested the freon levels and found it to be low.

A local shop removed the old freon, pulled a vaccum on the system and recharged with new freon and dye.

The shop had no problems conducting this service and reported that the AC worked a 37 degrees.

That evening (is was cold about 32 degrees) the compressor would not engage in the AC or defrost mode.

The next morning I returned the car to the shop, they pulled the car into the bay, and experienced the same problem concerning the compressor. They let the car sit while for 15-20 mins inside the bay, the compressor started working and all pressure tests showed the the system was holding a charge.

I come to get the car a few minutes later and yes the compressor worked great on both AC and defrost modes.

After the car sat in the parking lot at work for 8 hours in cold weather, the compressor no longer worked in AC or defrost mode.

Is it a bad temp sensor (if it has one), low pressure switch, (weak) relay, or ac dash switch? Or something else? The fuses all tested good.

Thanks

3 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

I do believe that it is normal for the AC not to engage if the temps is too cold outside.

Good luck and let us know. :)
peppermrj

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Saturday, April 7th, 2007 AT 3:55 PM

IONWASH

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I was informed that the Saturn AC will not work when the temp is below 40 degrees.

Although the unit does not have an outside temp sensor, the combination of the high and low pressure switch settings combined with the outside temp is designed not to apply power to the compressor when the temp is below 40 degrees.

I need some warm days to test this concept. Once I conduct the test, I will report my findings.

Thanks