What do you guys think of the RX-8 A/C unit on the hotest days?
05-28-2007 | 03:26 PM
#28
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,319
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From: NYC
The A/C is not as good as other cars I've owned. But it's only on those ten hottest days of the year (around here) that I find it a bit weak. And even on those days, while the interior doesn't get very cool, it at least gets comfortable. So overall, the A/C is good—but not great—for me.
05-28-2007 | 03:40 PM
#29
A/C is on the weak side. While it may not bother some people, it simply doesn't have the ice-cold output that I've been accustomed to in other cars. When the car has been hot all day, I have to leave it on recirculate top vent for almost 15 minutes before I am able to stand driving with the windows completely closed.
But of course, I knew this before buying the car, it's one of those compromises you make knowingly ahead of time before purchasing.
But of course, I knew this before buying the car, it's one of those compromises you make knowingly ahead of time before purchasing.
05-28-2007 | 05:10 PM
#30
kevin@rotaryresurrection
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: east of Knoxville, TN
As a comfort, the rx-7 a/c setups were never all that cold either. It is partly a byproduct of a rotary engine that puts out more heat than other engines (oil cooler and exhaust/heat sink) with no vented hood for the air to escape. You'd be surprised how much better the car would cool (oil, coolant, a/c, intake air) with a vented hood.
However, I can firmly say that my '90 rx-7 with freeze-12 is about 25% colder than the system in my rx-8.
However, I can firmly say that my '90 rx-7 with freeze-12 is about 25% colder than the system in my rx-8.
05-28-2007 | 09:50 PM
#31
The a/c in my 04 sucks. Whether at idle or on the highway, it gets cold, then warm...then cold, then warm, in 5 second intervals. For the short time that it is cold, it is very nice.
The issue here is that the a/c compressor (and cooling fan) is kicking off and on, off and on. After doing a little investigation in the FSM there is apparently a computer for the system called the a/c amplifier that looks at several sensor inputs and determines what to do with the a/c. For whatever reason, this system is choosing to have the compressor behave this way. The FSM states that this is "normal operation" but I think it is forking retarded. There is no reason to have the a/c compressor turn off when the controls are set at max, unless the inside core is freezing...and I can tell you there's no way that is the case because the inside of the car is not that cool.
I have went so far as to jumper a test wire from the compressor to battery power while the engine is running and performance is MUCH improved. However I have not had the ***** to leave it that way at this time until I can do more investigation on what other issues may arise. Part of the problem is that the control switch from the dash seems to operate on 3vdc instead of 12vdc, so using this switch to control a power supply or relay to the compressor will be difficult, and I dont want to ghetto rig any extra switches in the car.
The issue here is that the a/c compressor (and cooling fan) is kicking off and on, off and on. After doing a little investigation in the FSM there is apparently a computer for the system called the a/c amplifier that looks at several sensor inputs and determines what to do with the a/c. For whatever reason, this system is choosing to have the compressor behave this way. The FSM states that this is "normal operation" but I think it is forking retarded. There is no reason to have the a/c compressor turn off when the controls are set at max, unless the inside core is freezing...and I can tell you there's no way that is the case because the inside of the car is not that cool.
I have went so far as to jumper a test wire from the compressor to battery power while the engine is running and performance is MUCH improved. However I have not had the ***** to leave it that way at this time until I can do more investigation on what other issues may arise. Part of the problem is that the control switch from the dash seems to operate on 3vdc instead of 12vdc, so using this switch to control a power supply or relay to the compressor will be difficult, and I dont want to ghetto rig any extra switches in the car.
a useful tip..
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...54&postcount=8
you will be suprised what it will do..
beers
05-28-2007 | 10:04 PM
#32
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 12
From: Indialantic, Florida
a useful tip..
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...54&postcount=8
you will be suprised what it will do..
beers
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...54&postcount=8
you will be suprised what it will do..
beers
Pretty interesting link. My A/C is just fine(an 05), always has been, and you know how hot in gets here! Kinda amazing that almost everyone complaining here has an 04.
05-28-2007 | 10:27 PM
#34
Dawn
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
not cold enough!! i have mentioned this to several ppl and they think im crazy. i park in a carport at work i get in my car at 5 and it takes a good 5-10 for the car to cool down and even than i drive with it on the top vents because its hot in there. im also always hot...
05-28-2007 | 10:48 PM
#36
beers
05-28-2007 | 11:11 PM
#39
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
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From: San Jose Area
05-28-2007 | 11:26 PM
#40
that is kinda the point... if your car does not switch to recirc by itself the compressor is not running to the max eff...
i forgot to do the button push thing a while back during the winter... the first low 90s day i was like wtf, i have an ac problem...
then duh.. it hit me.. new motor. batt out.. a couple of pushes later, all is well..
beers
i forgot to do the button push thing a while back during the winter... the first low 90s day i was like wtf, i have an ac problem...
then duh.. it hit me.. new motor. batt out.. a couple of pushes later, all is well..
beers
05-29-2007 | 02:34 AM
#43
05-29-2007 | 03:33 AM
#44
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 7
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Well - the A/C in my '06 positively wheezes out cool air even with the recirc. in operation on a hot, sunny day. The service depot people ran a test and said it was working up to snuff according to their test equipment. I asked them if they did their test indoors or out. I got no response from them on that query - I find that very dishonest. Next step: get a really dark grade of tint on all the windows. Sure, you can't expect sybaritic comfort in a sports car. There's bound to be some privation that you'll have to put up with. So, bottom line: you'll have to live with her quirks and be ready to fork over some big bucks if ya wanna get a really hot engine.
Five years left on warranty and then: Watch out, baby - papa's gonna rumble.
Five years left on warranty and then: Watch out, baby - papa's gonna rumble.
05-29-2007 | 10:20 AM
#45
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I am just starting my 3rd summer in Florida with my 2004 RX8 and have a problem with the A/C. It sounds like the same problem that RotaryResurrection posted. The a/c cycles on and off and therefore isn't doing a very good job of cooling the car.
I took it to the dealer and they told me that this is "normal" behavior when the A/C is set to the "fresh" air setting. They told me to set it on recirculate. They gave me some story about it getting cold and shutting off which didn't make any logical sense. But I did what they said, I now keep it on recirculate. However this didn't solve anything. It's still cycling on and off. And it still doesn't cool very well.
I don't recall it doing this during the first 2 summers that I had the car. The A/C has never been great (especially in the summer, with a black interior, in Florida) however it was adequate. I think this is a new problem.
I'm taking it back to the dealer in a couple of days. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to tell them? I really don't want to hear this is "normal" because I think that's a pile of bull. If my Toyota Sienna mini-van manages to cool the entire interior without turning itself on and off. I would think that the tiny Rx-8 should be capable of cooling a much smaller interior.
Suggestions are welcome! Thanks
I took it to the dealer and they told me that this is "normal" behavior when the A/C is set to the "fresh" air setting. They told me to set it on recirculate. They gave me some story about it getting cold and shutting off which didn't make any logical sense. But I did what they said, I now keep it on recirculate. However this didn't solve anything. It's still cycling on and off. And it still doesn't cool very well.
I don't recall it doing this during the first 2 summers that I had the car. The A/C has never been great (especially in the summer, with a black interior, in Florida) however it was adequate. I think this is a new problem.
I'm taking it back to the dealer in a couple of days. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to tell them? I really don't want to hear this is "normal" because I think that's a pile of bull. If my Toyota Sienna mini-van manages to cool the entire interior without turning itself on and off. I would think that the tiny Rx-8 should be capable of cooling a much smaller interior.
Suggestions are welcome! Thanks
05-29-2007 | 10:27 AM
#46
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,625
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From: USA
the cycling on and off is normal. All rx-8s do it.
Your a/c not cooling is not normal, and that is something they should fix for you.
the recirculate will help a bit, but if it's not cooling to begin with, it will not do anything magical for you.
Your a/c not cooling is not normal, and that is something they should fix for you.
the recirculate will help a bit, but if it's not cooling to begin with, it will not do anything magical for you.
05-29-2007 | 10:38 AM
#47
Mr. T is my copilot
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From: los angeles
05-29-2007 | 10:48 AM
#48
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From: NYC
Also, let's remember there are different kinds of A/C people—I'm happy if A/C simply makes it "comfortable", meaning not hot and humid. (In fact, I don't like it when I walk into a super chilled A/C room—seems unnaturally and artificially cold, if that makes any sense.) But… I have friends who prefer that A/C deliver a cold, chilling blast—like when you open the freezer door on the refrigerator.
I suspect people like me are happy with the 8's A/C. People who like the cold blast from Antarctica are not.
I suspect people like me are happy with the 8's A/C. People who like the cold blast from Antarctica are not.