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Air Condition not cold

Tiny
LYNN077
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SATURN VUE
Air Conditioning problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 70000 miles

On my 2007 Saturn Vue I been having trouble with it blowing cold air. If I'm sitting in idle it blows hot air. If I accelerate at 2000 RPM it blows cold. The other day I took it to a mechanic and they tried charging the freon, but it wouldn't take as the low side was high and they released some of the freon to get it down to 40 and it was the same thing on the high side and got it down to 150. Since they did that it won't even blow cold now at all. What could possibly be causing this to happen?

They tried putting freon in there but it wouldn't take and then supposedly they ran a vacuum through there and refilled the freon but it isn't blowing cold.

I hear the clutch and the compressor running.
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Saturday, July 17th, 2010 AT 1:54 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It sounds like you have a air conditioer compressor that is going out. When they go out the seal go bad which it sound like whats going on. Here is a guide to help you get the problem fixed by giving you an idea of what needs to happen.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Here is how to change the unit out in your car (below)

Please let us know what happens

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, July 17th, 2010 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
LYNN077
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You guys nailed it. Found one on Amazon for 239.00 AC Delco

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004947IX0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B004947IX0&linkId=fd0d48b54cfa18d1931050af2fae0b53

Working perfect you guys sure know your stuff :
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Monday, July 19th, 2010 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
SPORTSFAN09
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2007 SATURN VUE
  • 75,000 MILES
A/c blows cold air and wiorks great as long as the car is moving but when stopped at a red light or driving at slow speeds it seems to start blowing warm air. Thought it might have been a cabin filter but I dont seem to find one so I thought it might be the compressor or low on freon. Was also told that the newer vehicles will do that as they are set up for the engine to slow down and will slow the a/c compressor down just like the radio goes quieter when u slow down now. Could this be correct never noticed before and have had the car for nearly 2 years any suggestions
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I would make sure the fan under the hood is working if it isnt you will have the same symptoms if there isn't enough air going thru thecondensor the compressor will cycle. It shouldn't stop blowing cold at idle. Also what is the battery voltage reading at idle at your battery?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTSFAN09
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well wouldnt the engine be getting hot and see that on the water temp gauge if the fan is not working. I will check that but was just wondering. I will check the battery voltage also. What is it suppose to be about 14 volts?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You will see 13 something volts or just above 14 volts. Also I have had customers complain about ac only works when driving and never complained about a overheating concern. Here's a great example I was driving my nieces Saturn ion and noticed the ac wasn't working driving in a parking lot as soon as I started driving it was blowing cold. Found a bad cooling fan motor. Sometimes the first thing people notice is hey my ac only works while driving. When the ac stops working at idle see if the radiator fan is running?Also make sure there is plenty of air being pushed thru the radiator.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEMAILMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 88 POSTS
  • 2006 SATURN VUE
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
At idle speed, the A/C just plain does not work. You can see the compressor engaging and disengaging okay. If I give it a little gas (maybe 1500-200 rpm's) it blows ice cold. When I checked the low side pressure, the gauge read it to be where it needed to be. I took it to a mechanic that I know and he evacuated the system and recharged it using his pricey machine. Did not help one bit. Am I looking at getting a new compressor? Does not seem right that a car that has not even cracked 100,000 would need one.

Also, I saw something about an "expansion valve" on another forum, but there is no explanation as to what that is or what it does.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Hello,

It does sound like the compressor is getting weak which is how they act when they are going out.

Here are a couple of guides that should help you get the job done and explain how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-air-conditioner-works

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Diagrams below:

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEMAILMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 88 POSTS
Well it did end up being the compressor. I had a mechanic evacuate and recharge the system, to no avail. Then he tried replacing the expansion valve. After that we sunk the money into the new compressor and now you could store meat in that car if you wanted to. At least he didn't charge me for the evac/recharge and the expansion valve. But it still cost about $400
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY WEEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 SATURN VUE
  • 98,000 MILES
Radiator fan does not seem to be running as fast as it used to on a hot day with the ac on. Car is not overheating. Ac cools fine at highway speeds. When sitting at a light or in traffic, ac will be only cool, but when traveling down the highway it gets cold. Sometimes sounds like the fan starts running faster, and the ac starts cooling good. Could it be a sensor or relay, or maybe a radiator fan motor?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The ac pressure and the engine coolant temp will effect the fan speed without knowing those won't know what speed the fan should be running?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
  • 2006 SATURN VUE
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
Essentially, the A/C in this car is barely functional at idle speed. It immediately and dramatically cools when you idle the engine up over about 1500 rpm's, only to immediately warm back up when you let off of the gas. I charged the system by having someone idle it at 1500 rpm's (which is what a GM tech said to do) while I charged the system. It got better, but not at idle speed. I have looked through ALLData and cannot seem to locate anything that pointed to the problem. Any ideas?

I am good with cars but A/C systems are a little foreign to me.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
You will need to evacuate system and vacuum all the moisture out first and then charge to correct level. Once it is properly charged, monitor the gauge readings for any abnormalities. Low side should read around 30-40 psi while high should read around 225 psi but those are estimates since it depends on temperature and humidity where your at.

If low side is high and goes low when you race the engine then that will indicate the compressor is failing. If high pressure is too high then you could have a restricted condenser or faulty condenser fan. Those are just some examples. So try and get the pressure readings and post them on here to try and get an idea as to how the system is acting. And maybe just evacuating and vacuuming system will correct your problem as well.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Okay. I do not have a gauge for the high side. Do they sell them at the parts store?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
Yes they do.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLAMPTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,000 MILES
Air Conditioning problem
2004 Saturn Vue 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 62000 miles

My ac is cooling in my saturn some but when the car isn't moving it really blows warm air. The air seems somewhat humid coming out. When it's cooler outside it seems to work fine however add humidity and heat and it's uncomfortable.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Is your car running hot when it's not moving?Let me know.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLAMPTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Not on the gauges but the air when stopped isn't nearly as cool as when moving. I took it yesterday to check the ac freon level and was told it was e vaced and re charge with the appropriate level of freon and oil. He said the low pressure side is running high but the other side is fine. I was also told that the compressor was tired and needed to be replaced and also the condensor. I was quoted 2000.00 for the repair including labor. I have found parts on line much cheaper but not sure if I can find someone to install. How in the world is it so tired when the car is only 6 years old and the ac is only used 3 months out of the year? Any suggestions?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I have replaced those compressor under warranty thing's fail when they fail doesn't matter how many year's or mile's.I have replaced water pump's at 1400 mile's so there's a example of that. So is the condensor leaking?That's why I usually replace those. If you had the high and low pressure's from the a/c I could tell you more.
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)

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