my a/c stopped working so i hit the button a bunch of times and then i realized the red radiator light on my dash. so i turned the a/c off and it went away. now i'll turn the button on, but i cant feel the a/c kick in and the air isnt cold. i used my accessport to check what might be wrong and found a bunch of CELs.

P0441
evaporative emssion control system incorrect purge flow
P0171
too lean
P0455
evaporative emission control system detected (gross leak)
P0037
H02S heater control circuit, bench 1 sensor 2

the too lean CEL comes from my not quite working throttle body, if i dont catch it at a light it'll die. but that doesnt happen too often as i've become quite deft at doing so.

but, any advice on what to with my a/c system? hot weather is right around the corner and i'd rather not be in a car in 90+ degree weather without a/c. i tried to reset the ecu but it did not clear the codes whatsoever. and a "gross leak" in the a/c system sounds like a pretty legit problem. sooo awesome that im at 53k miles, outside of warranty.

 

check your AC clutch.

 

Do the Easy Diagnosis section of this DIY to verify your heat control **** is working correctly. Otherwise, if it's not, follow that DIY to fix it.

 

i'm feeling bad for your car lately.

 

yeah check clutch and check that the belt onthe A/C is there and didnt' break or something....does that fan blow when on ac and just warm air or just doesn't blow?

 

P0455 (gross leak) is the evaporative system, not the AC. It's one of the codes you can get from a bad gas cap. Probably something more than that because you've got that other evap system code, but it's not an AC leak.

Ken

 

the fan blows, the a/c just does not kick on.

im sure all of you can feel when you turn your a/c on. that little hit in the acceleration pedal. i cant feel that, it just does not turn on. it blows ambient air temp.

 

As nycgps said, check the AC clutch. Turn the AC on and see if the clutch on the compressor has engaged. If it has, then the problem is likely to be low refrigerant or a bad compressor.

If it has not engaged, then the problem might be electrical or it might be low refrigerant.

Did your AC seem wimpier than usual toward the end of last summer? A typical pattern with a leak is that AC will work one season, but on the weak side, then over the winter it will leak down enough that the low pressure switch will keep the compressor clutch from engaging.

Ken

 

yeah sounds like a clutch(A/C) or a completely burned out compressor

 

There's more that can cause this than the clutch or compressor. Don't forget the old rock-through-the-condenser issue with these cars. Or that there are other components in the AC system. If the problem is not something simple like a bad belt or a bad fuse, the next step would be to go to a decent AC shop.

Ken

 

damn that sux bro, summer is around the corner

 

^ +1

 

i am indeed a dumbass. my idle problems were due to an uncapped vacuum hose. its the short one that sits on top of the intake manifold. part #20-345B. it was hanging loosely. i cant believe i've missed it for so long. wtf. i've searched high and low and never saw this. i searched the service manual but i cant seem to find any link between this hose and the hvac system. or what this hose is used for at all. is it related? anyone know?

temp buttons work normally.

i would say the a/c clutch is not kicking in. the belt goes over it, and that part spins. but the entire unit does not spin. the front part does not spin in any regard.

 

the clutch won't kick in if the freon pressure is too low, you'll need to check the system pressure but make sure you don't have a blown fuse first

 

Just curious have you ever checked the Freon pressure ?

You can get one of those recharge kit for like 30 bux, it has build in gauges and stuff and u can check and see if its working.

 

so, i found out today why my a/c isnt working. its great news. everything works!

bad news.

hole in the a/c condenser. i was recharging the system and afterward i hear pssshhhhhhhhhhh. yeah. sucks. i remember when it happened too. i was stuck behind some self righteous ******* who wouldnt let me pass. blocking me in behind this damn truck. it peppered the entire front end of my car. including my freshly polished headlights that my body shop did.... i finally got away and 500 feet later my red radiator light pops up and i dont have a/c anymore. so **** me.

how much is this going to cost and how hard is it to replace?

 

the condenser is not very expensive.

i would google it. or mazmart.

beers

 

im looking at $200+

that is expensive.

 

wish i had one for you ... i have an ac compressor but no condensor.

 

Mazmart should have it

dont u have RB screen or something installed ?

 

I love those self-appointed speed enforcers types who what act like clotting factor in blood.

I'm confused by the relationship between the red radiator light and the hole in the condensor .... Did both your radiator and A/C condensor got damaged resulting in both lost coolant and freon?

I highly recommend the Racing Beat oil cooler and radiator screens.

Ouch on the OEM discounted A/C condensor price which I doubt you can beat by any significant amount for a brand new part.

 

fortunately I know someone who's about to send you $200 ...

 

you'd think mazmart would respond to a PM....

 

He responded to mine. fast

 

i got p0037 too. whats your deal with that.