We’re in at least the second week of triple-digit days here in the Dallas vicinity.
My 2002 Ford Escort has been perking right along until recently when all of a sudden the air conditioner began putting out soggy, warmish air.
The first time, after I stopped at my destination, turned off the motor, then got back in & started up again, the air was frigid and great.
By the time this had happened the third or fourth time, yesterday, I took it to the shop where one of the fellows said it needed recharged, which he supposedly did, for $65.
Today it was the bad routine again – on the way to my destination it worked fine. Then going to the grocery store it got warm and smarmy again so on the way home I stopped at the repair shop. When the owner got in to test it, the air was ice cold again.
I had a passenger a couple days ago who knows how terrible the problem is, but she’s not available as a witness when the shop’s open. I’m to take the car in tomorrow, but how can I have the shop owner believe me, if this won’t happen at the ‘right’ time? I mean, is there any logical explanation for this? Has anyone else’s A/C ever done this?
When my car did that, it was the fuse that controlled the fan. I was lucky enough to be friends with an AC guy, so I bribed him with the offer of beer to look under the hood. He pointed out the fuse and told me to just go to a auto supply store and buy one.
I know that didn’t help, but I’m agreeing with CWN that it is probably an electrical problem.
I really hope you get it worked out soon. This is NOT a good time to be without AC in Texas.
Just for you, I went out and opened my hood. Different car, but the concept is the same.
It wasn’t a fuse, it was a relay switch. Same thing to us not electricians…but important when when talking to people who know this stuff.
(sorry for bad typing, I’m doing this with a broken thumb and haven’t adjusted yet)
Anyhow, if you open your hood and look, you will see a plastic cover that has electr ical pics. Pull that open, there are notches on the side li ke battery covers . That’s where the relay switches are. The AC one is clearly marked, so go to an autoparts pl ace, pull it out and take it to show the clerk. Pay the 10 bucks and replace it yourself.
You might waste 10 bucks, or you might get constant cold air without paying big bucks for someone else to do it.
When this happened to me about 6 or 7 years ago, I took it to (asshole) Midas and they wanted something like $1,300 to fix it.
Took it to another garage - local, non-chain - and the guy looked it over.
I had a leak and the coolant was leaking out - rather quickly.
Replaced (or fixed) the leaky hose, added new coolant (or freon or whatever is is).
Fixed.
Cost me about $40 and I have never had another problem with the A/C.