WEIRD A/C Problem!

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Discussions' started by AZ MSCL, Aug 28, 2017.

  1. AZ MSCL

    AZ MSCL Member

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    Yesterday, my car began blowing coolish air out of the driver's side vents and HOT air out of the passenger side vents with the A/C running on high! No check engine or error codes. I'm thinking a thousand dollars or more to remove the dash to reach a stuck vacuum door. Went online and found this is a more common problem than you'd think with Dodge's (maybe other makes). I took the most commonly found fix - buy a can of refrigerant from an autoparts store or Walmart (I used A/C Pro) and refill the A/C if it's low. With the car running and the A/C on full blast, sure enough, it was around 25 lbs. I filled it up to about to about 40 lbs and guess what? It worked - I now have cold A/C from both sides! Couldn't believe it worked! Just DON'T overfill it, more is not better! Also, it is a challenge to get the nozzle attached correctly especially when the engine is at normal working temps.

    I've had the car since 2009 and never messed with the A/C so it's not a shock that it was low. We use our A/C a LOT in AZ as well. So if this happens to you, try it before you take it in for expensive repair work. Hopefully, I don't have a small leak.
     
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  2. FrankenMax

    FrankenMax Full Access Member

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    That is odd but it's good information.


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  3. AZ MSCL

    AZ MSCL Member

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    True, I was really skeptical when I read this fix but there's a lot of them out there via Google so I thought I'd spend $40 and see. Thank God I did!
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2017
  4. FrankenMax

    FrankenMax Full Access Member

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    Yeah A/C specialist in the desert make killing don't they. It's always nice to keep your money in your pocket.


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  5. challengerone

    challengerone Active Member

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    Thank you for this type info. I copy & file for future use. Glad to be a member here!!
     
  6. AZ MSCL

    AZ MSCL Member

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    Glad to help. The A/C is almost TOO cold now and it's 110 in Phoenix! I just hope I don't have a leak! Doubt it - I haven't had to mess with the A/C in my car since I've owned it (APR 09). The pressure was down and in hindsight, it was gradually getting warmer until this oddball thing happened. It's important to note that it can be difficult to get the nozzle snapped on correctly - I found a couple times I thought it was on but it wasn't. You will feel it snap on when done correctly.
     
  7. 13OrngChallRT

    13OrngChallRT Full Access Member

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    There is some of the refrigerants with dye in them if you feel you have a leak. I had to charge mine earlier in the summer. It just wasn't cool enough and was down about 20 lbs.

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  8. AZ MSCL

    AZ MSCL Member

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    Thanks. We'll see if it holds up. It was down to around 25 lbs (low), I filled it to almost 40. The temptation is great to add more than that (40 is max) but I know what happens.
     
  9. chithead

    chithead Full Access Member

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    Great information! Glad it worked out, and thank you for posting that it solved your issue!
     
  10. AZ MSCL

    AZ MSCL Member

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    Lastly, it's important to follow the directions. I've never used such a product so I didn't really know what I was doing (that's hard for a car guy to admit). I googled where the proper intake was (it's on A/C Pro's website) and what to do. The correct port on my car is upside down and had a black plastic cap that screwed off - it is NOT the easy access one on top with the aluminum cap! I tried this one and fortunately it wouldn't fit (then I googled it). All this has to be done at operating temps while the AC is on full blast - the compressor must be running. Everything gets really hot in that engine bay - I burned myself a couple times so I'd use gloves or something. Just be SURE the nozzle is snapped on or you won't be reading the gauge correctly. I missed this a couple times.

    Sorry to keep adding things after the fact but I want to make this as easy as possible for anyone who tries this. I think I've covered everything now so good luck should you need to do this! It's still working great! If it fails later I'll post that up too.
     
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