Puny air conditioner

[dancote]

My 2008 Passion had a great air conditioner. I could get it to blow so cold my wife would complain.

The '09, not so much. I have to ride around with it set on Max and recirc much of the time just to make it tolerable ... and that's with temps ranging from high 60s to low 80s. I can't imagine what it would be like in the South.

Took it in for a checkup today but it's fully charged and operating according to spec.

Anyone else experiencing the same problem? Any solutions?

Regards,

Dan

[Belleveu1]

Dan, we have had an '08 and now a '09. We really can't tell the difference in the air conditioning. I'm impressed at how rapidly it comes on after the engine starts - same for heat. No difference in temperatures - Port Orchard vs Bellevue.

[Dunerunner]

They might want to check the dampner positions to insure they are adjusted properly. Other than that, if they checked the refrigerant charge and the temperature across the cooling coil everything should be OK. If they didn't check the air temp off the coil, they should as a faulty Thermostatic expansion valve or remote sensing element may be at fault.

[shark]

I would get it rechecked. I live in Central TX and we have already been hitting the mid 90's with high humidity. My A/C will freeze my tail off. Compressor clutch is noisier than I like but works well.

[John_H]

I have no idea what my compressor clutch sounds like.

I'm wondering how they checked the charge; just looking for pressure? If the system had too much air when they added refrigerant, that could be a problem too.

[chieftmc]

I too have NO problem with my 09

It will blow you out in no time and the wife is always complaining that "it's too cold"

Also, compressor does NOT make much noise; almost unnoticeable

[JimDantin]

Go back to the dealer and make them run the initialization reset of the A/C control module. If that doesn't fix the problem immediately, have them test the system with the help of some thermometers -- the air temperature coming out of the vents should change noticeably when you change the temperature slider. If you start at 70 and allow the car's interior temp to stabilize, you should be able to move to 65 and see much colder air until stabilizing at 65. Likewise if you move to a warmer temp. The diagnostic computer can monitor actual cabin temp, and the temp selected on the slider. It's a pretty sophisticated system. If you're still not happy, get them to install a new control module (the entire center section with knob, sliders, and vents)

[rfernatt]

I've been having issues with my '08 AC since I got it. It never worked well and would freeze up periodically. It's been to several dealers and they've now replaced the AC control unit more than once, the AC compressor, added dye to the system, purged and refilled freon, etc., but it still doesn't work correctly. The driver's vents especially are blowing what seems to be outside air temp. The passenger vents are cooler, but not enough to keep the cabin cooled satisfactorily on a warm day.

Since everything else looks alright, the last dealer that looked at it thinks there is a "restriction" somewhere in the system up front (condenser maybe?). The tech at that dealer seemed to know a bit more about AC systems where it seemed that everyone else was just swapping parts. It's going back once more to try and get that fixed.

Anyway, I thought I would mention it so that your dealer can add "system restriction" to their checklist.

[NeWave]

My 09 plays a nice game of Freeze Out...

[SMARTPLUG]

I have a 09 passion and it works great even here in Fla. heat and humidity. If I were checking your a/c at my shop with the problem you describe after a standard check of pressure,condenser fan ect. I would think the blend doors in the evaporator case are not working right. May be stuck or not adjusted right. I hope that helps. Bob.