Because automobiles utilize rubber hoses in the A/C sytems, and rubber is porous. A loss in refrigerant is inevitable.

 

Thanks for the explanation. Now I know and knowing is half the battle

 

I have it set at auto 69. I've used 60 before but then the fan noise just drives me nuts. at that low a temp it just keeps blowing on high constantly. at 69 it blows at 2 or 3 bars which is tollerable as far as noise.

 

03 AC has a LOT of problems...
better go to ur dealer and demand them to fix it!!!!!

 

Wow....I've never seen any threads about A/C issues until today....as I now have an A/C issue as well (kind of like the issue you had). All week my A/C was fine & then I got into my car last night after work (very warm & humid out) and it only blows out warm air....and the compressor didn't kick on. Thought maybe it could be a fuse, but after looking, didn't find a fuse associated w/ the A/C. Sounds like I need to take mine into the dealer too.

Anyone else ever have their compressor not turn on? Do you think it's shot & needs to be replaced? I live in MA, so I only use the AC from June-August. Thanks.

 

In my car the air is just barely strong enough. Although I haven't measured the vent temps it does not get as cold as most of our other past or present cars I have had. To compensate the system frequently runs at or near top fan settings and also stays in recirculate mode unless it cooler out than 70 degrees or so. It usually gets no hotter than 80-85 degrees where I live.

Perhaps it's just my car that needs to be checked out. All systems do leak a slight amount and are sometimes not charged correctly from the factory.

 

'03 sedan here with 55k miles and my A/C is still ice cold.

 

There's definitely something up w/ your AC....definitely doesn't sound right. If it only gets 80-85 degrees where you live, after your car has been running for 10 minutes, your climate control should only read 1 or 2 bars (fan speed).....sounds like your compressor isn't blowing cold enough air either.

 

Yeah something must be wrong.

My black/black car has lived in Phoenix its whole life and the air is still ice cold with 51k.

 

Since I've seen this post, I'm thinking my air isn't as cold as it used to be. May be all in my mind.

I bought a thermometer yesterday, so I'll stick the probe in the vent today and see what temp the air is.

 

This is NOT true! The A/C is a sealed system and the rubber hoses are NOT porous! There are several reasons when A/C is not cold, leak is one of common reasons.

 

These damn dealers are all the same! Your car is most likely still under warranty. The dealer should check for leaks and other causes of the failed system under warranty. By recharging your car, the dealer is charging you for the service and without fixing the real problem! After recharging, it will eventually failed again! Bring you car in and get them to check it, not over the phone. You need to be firm with them or go to another dealer.

 

The main reason an a/c compressor wouldn't kick on is no refrigerant(freon) or it's too low to kick the compressor on. If the compressor were to kick on with no freon it would be toast. Based on the info you provided I would assume that you definitely have a leak.

 

guys, guys remeber its summer time


mine is an 03 and is working fine, obviously when is 98 outside it will take a lot longer to cool down, today i got on my car and it read 117 i was like wtf but after a while it droped down to 103, freaking too hot outside, but anyways like i said mines working just fine

 

I haven't taken my car out of town to measure the temp yet but my readings is in the air in the vents gets down into the mid 50's in the afternoon, when the outside temp is about 100 or so. In the morning, with the temp around 85-90, it gets down into the lower 40s.