Air Conditioning???

[Lookin4SVX]

Air Conditioning???
There is no button for AC, so how do I make it work?
First warm day outside and the vents seem to only blow warm air.
I set the temp control at 65 (low as it goes) and its outside temp is 78.
Still get just warm air. Inside the car feels like 85. Yet I still get warm air.

Where do I start looking to fix this?
Recharge AC system?
Is there an internal temp sensor that activates the AC?

I am new to this whole pick a temp automatic thing.

[tiv0]

My guess is on the recharge.

[Sean486]

Set the Climate Control to the "Auto" setting and then set the temperature down to 65 degrees, put the fan on high. If it doesn't start blowing cold then it probably needs a recharge or some other maintenance.

Here is a document that will help.


http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/How-To/14349.pdf

[Freeman]

Odds are that you'll need some $300ish part that needs replaced but a recharge will last a little while.

My A/C was broken for a while last year but I got it recharged. Charge lasted about three days before going back to warm so I had something else fixed but I can't remember what it was. Also got a charge and now I'm back to warm again.

[1986nate]

Try getting all of the o-rings and seals replaced first, then recharge the sysem. You should be able to replace most of them pretty easily yourself. Get it recharged and it should be good to go unless some component of the actual system has failed. Also check to see that the compressor isn't seized and that it is actually engaging when you hit the "auto" button on the CC.

[Lookin4SVX]

Yeah im thinking recharge it and see how far thats gets me.

I think the compressor is turning on, when I first hit auto with it set on 65 there is a noticeable sound difference and a current draw is heard in the fans for a moment.

Back to learning how to use the auto temp thing.

So setting it at 65 will force AC to turn on?
I have had it on 65 since I got it, if I set it above 70 it seems to blow air out the heat vents under the dash only.

Is there no way to turn the AC on high fan on without using auto?

Will the AC kick on at temp setting of 65, even if the outside temp is below 65?

[SoCal LS-L]

When you have the system charged, have them listen for leakage from the compressor.... thats where mine was losing freon until I evacuated the system.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by Lookin4SVX

Yeah im thinking recharge it and see how far thats gets me.
I would strongly suggest replacing the o-rings that you can get to first. Go to your local autoparts store and you should be able to find ones cheap.
I think the compressor is turning on, when I first hit auto with it set on 65 there is a noticeable sound difference and a current draw is heard in the fans for a moment.

Back to learning how to use the auto temp thing.

So setting it at 65 will force AC to turn on? yes
I have had it on 65 since I got it, if I set it above 70 it seems to blow air out the heat vents under the dash only. if it is cooler outside, this is normal

Is there no way to turn the AC on high fan on without using auto?auto is the only way the a/c will turn on. The "econ" mode is specifically there to not engage the a/c compressor to allow the temperature to be moderated without decreasing your gas mileage due to the draw of the compressor. Vent mode is only going to bring in air straight from outside

Will the AC kick on at temp setting of 65, even if the outside temp is below 65?yes, the lowest temperature setting will always force a type of "override" that will make it blow max a/c no matter what the temp inside the car or outside

Hope that helps

[Lookin4SVX]

Well when I start the car and push the auto button (it is on 65 were I left it) I get LOW fan speed and warm air out the upper vents. The air from the vents feels warmer than the air from the windows.

If I want it to blow, I have to push the HI fan speed button.
Other than that it seems to only be on low fan speed.
If I hit off, and then hit auto again, it goes back to low fan.
It doesn't seem to care that I want 65, its like 80 inside the car, it says ok, low fan is good..

When It was cold out, I set it to auto and warmer, like 70-75, then it was adjusting the fan speed on its own and turning off when temp reached like expected.

[1986nate]

Try running the a/c diagnostics by holding auto and off, then switch ignition to on and report back any codes you have here.

[Lookin4SVX]

Im reading over this PDF that was linked to.

I have a 92. this is for a 96. does this even apply to my car?

These pdfs are full of a lot of good info, I just wish they listed part numbers.

So this "control amplifier" in the pdf, is this the unit that is in the dash above the radio cage? Same piece I have seen called called "Climate Control Unit"?
Is the internal temp sensor mounted on the the backside of the inside the dash board?

[Lookin4SVX]

Well, it is dark outside, so im getting code 13.
I tryed putting my led flashlight on it, but that is not cutting it.
I don't own anything 100watt bulb in it.

If it had multiple codes would it tell me all of them, or if you get 13 that stops it from reading?

[Lookin4SVX]

Just moved it from 65 to 85.
At 85 I get full speed fan lower vents and heat.
Moved it down to 65, I get low fan and upper vents.
Reads outside temp as 68.

[Lookin4SVX]

Ok, its light outside now. Did the diagnosis.

Code 13 is gone (which is expected, its light out now)

Display reads: 00

"If a malfunction has occurred in a monitored circuit,
temperature display will indicate a trouble code. If monitored
circuits are functioning properly, temperature display will show "00",
indicating no system malfunctions."

Ok, so I am getting no trouble codes yet the blower fans do not blow on high when set to 65.

65 = low fan speed air from upper vents.

Will the system default to low fan speed if there is no AC coolant in the system?

[1986nate]

I just checked on mine today. When setting the temperature to 65, right after startup, it will not go straight to high fans in mine. After about a minute it then will automatically put the fans on high.