AC is not cold - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Valkyrie14 · 07-05-2020, 12:00 PM

Don’t know much about the AC system on gen 5. It’s getting hot and my AC is blowing air, but it’s not cold, more like cooler than outside.

Is this just a situation where I need to recharge the Freon, or do I have a compressor issue?

Not sure how to diagnose this.

HadA68 · 07-05-2020, 12:03 PM

Do a search on the “blend door” that might be your problem. At least it is something to eliminate.

Valkyrie14 · 07-05-2020, 12:31 PM

Just thought of this as possible added info. When I have my HP plugged in and I check engine codes it tells me my EVAP is incomplete. I have a new Evap solenoid on my LSA, and it appears to be hooked up properly. Not sure what is going on there or if it has anything to do with the AC. I just saw on a video that the ECM checks EVAP before turning on the AC.

Whoomba · 07-05-2020, 06:07 PM

I read on here somewhere about the blend door and it got me thinking. The a/c seems fine but just the fan never seemed as cool as it should be.

InFiD3ViL · 07-05-2020, 06:13 PM

Uh oh. Is your compressor running/clutch engaging with AC switched on? Are the fans kicking on high when compressor runs? Test them at Max and Recirc AC settings.

In your central vents, is the driver central vent warmer than the passenger central vent?

A way to test for the blend door is to vice grip the smaller lines coming off of the water pump and see if cold AC returns. You only need a minute or two to run it this way. Also, depending on where the blend door is stuck you can see how hot your heat gets. When mine went out I got lukewarm AC (but colder on passenger side) and lukewarm heat. My heater would normally melt your face ala Raiders of the Lost Ark.

You really shouldn't need refrigerant unless you have a leak somewhere.

Danial · 07-05-2020, 06:49 PM

Lots of good points here. I would also like to throw in that if you need freon, then you have a leak. These are closed loop systems.

For the record, I have always thought the AC in my 2013 SS was weak. The AC in my 09 Mustang GT spoiled me I guess. That thing had the best AC in any vehicle I've owned.

Valkyrie14 · 07-05-2020, 10:27 PM

I will try the vice grip test. I drive it this afternoon it was 95 outside. I had the windows up and AC on max, it was comfortable but not cold. I guess that means that there is freon otherwise the cabin would be like 110.

I found a thread about bypassing the heater core during the summer that seems like a bette option to replacing the HVAC.

Valkyrie14 · 07-12-2020, 01:34 PM

That did it. The vice grip test was no doubt. Ice cold AC with vice grip on. Bypass coming up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

Uh oh. Is your compressor running/clutch engaging with AC switched on? Are the fans kicking on high when compressor runs? Test them at Max and Recirc AC settings.

In your central vents, is the driver central vent warmer than the passenger central vent?

A way to test for the blend door is to vice grip the smaller lines coming off of the water pump and see if cold AC returns. You only need a minute or two to run it this way. Also, depending on where the blend door is stuck you can see how hot your heat gets. When mine went out I got lukewarm AC (but colder on passenger side) and lukewarm heat. My heater would normally melt your face ala Raiders of the Lost Ark.

You really shouldn't need refrigerant unless you have a leak somewhere.

2013ZL1FUN · 07-12-2020, 03:51 PM

What is the vice grip test?

Sparko · 07-12-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

What is the vice grip test?

It's just blocking coolant flow to the heater core so it doesn't warm up, lets the airflow only be effected by the cooling system.

InFiD3ViL · 07-12-2020, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyrie14

That did it. The vice grip test was no doubt. Ice cold AC with vice grip on. Bypass coming up.

Well that sucks but I'm glad you found it. At least with the blend door you have some options on how to deal with it. I did the blend door the 'easy' way and let me tell you, it hurt cutting into the car like that. I know you never see it, but still, I know it's there.

Adding the valves is a much cleaner method, imo. Totally reversible and allows you time if you decide to remove the dash to properly replace the blend door at a later date.

07-05-2020, 12:00 PM	#1
Valkyrie14 Valkyrie14 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 962	AC is not cold Don’t know much about the AC system on gen 5. It’s getting hot and my AC is blowing air, but it’s not cold, more like cooler than outside. Is this just a situation where I need to recharge the Freon, or do I have a compressor issue? Not sure how to diagnose this. __________________ 2014 SS LS3/LSA Supercharger, 10% Super Damper, 2.55 upper, AGP Dual Pump, ID 1050 injectors, Pegasus solid rear cradle bushings, LT Headers, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite E2 catch can, E85 corn fed, 160 Thermostat, Monster Twin Disk, MGW Short Throw shifter, Tick Clutch Master Cylinder, HP Tuners, JL Audio system.

07-05-2020, 12:03 PM	#2
HadA68 Drives: 2012 SS 45th Anniversary LS3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South NJ Posts: 46	Do a search on the “blend door” that might be your problem. At least it is something to eliminate. __________________ 45th anniversary mods: CAGS delete, SW muffler delete, JBL shorties, Solo cats, strut tower brace, clutch/brake reservoir separation kit, Tick clutch bleeder, DRL harness, LED DRLs, elite catch can, ZL1 front grill, VTC, Rotofab CAI, blackvue dash cam, hurst billet plus 2, Eibach lower springs Ans anti-sway bars, Koni struts, tuning by DynoSteve 1969 corvette L46 coupe: ... Mostly stock Past cars: 1967 corvette L79 coupe 1999 corvette FRC 1968 camaro RS

07-05-2020, 12:31 PM	#3
Valkyrie14 Valkyrie14 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 962	Just thought of this as possible added info. When I have my HP plugged in and I check engine codes it tells me my EVAP is incomplete. I have a new Evap solenoid on my LSA, and it appears to be hooked up properly. Not sure what is going on there or if it has anything to do with the AC. I just saw on a video that the ECM checks EVAP before turning on the AC. __________________ 2014 SS LS3/LSA Supercharger, 10% Super Damper, 2.55 upper, AGP Dual Pump, ID 1050 injectors, Pegasus solid rear cradle bushings, LT Headers, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite E2 catch can, E85 corn fed, 160 Thermostat, Monster Twin Disk, MGW Short Throw shifter, Tick Clutch Master Cylinder, HP Tuners, JL Audio system.

07-05-2020, 06:13 PM	#5
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,737	Uh oh. Is your compressor running/clutch engaging with AC switched on? Are the fans kicking on high when compressor runs? Test them at Max and Recirc AC settings. In your central vents, is the driver central vent warmer than the passenger central vent? A way to test for the blend door is to vice grip the smaller lines coming off of the water pump and see if cold AC returns. You only need a minute or two to run it this way. Also, depending on where the blend door is stuck you can see how hot your heat gets. When mine went out I got lukewarm AC (but colder on passenger side) and lukewarm heat. My heater would normally melt your face ala Raiders of the Lost Ark. You really shouldn't need refrigerant unless you have a leak somewhere. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

07-05-2020, 10:27 PM	#7
Valkyrie14 Valkyrie14 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 962	I will try the vice grip test. I drive it this afternoon it was 95 outside. I had the windows up and AC on max, it was comfortable but not cold. I guess that means that there is freon otherwise the cabin would be like 110. I found a thread about bypassing the heater core during the summer that seems like a bette option to replacing the HVAC. __________________ 2014 SS LS3/LSA Supercharger, 10% Super Damper, 2.55 upper, AGP Dual Pump, ID 1050 injectors, Pegasus solid rear cradle bushings, LT Headers, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite E2 catch can, E85 corn fed, 160 Thermostat, Monster Twin Disk, MGW Short Throw shifter, Tick Clutch Master Cylinder, HP Tuners, JL Audio system.

07-05-2020, 06:07 PM	#4
Whoomba Drives: 2024 Camaro 2SS CE Convertible Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 1,457	I read on here somewhere about the blend door and it got me thinking. The a/c seems fine but just the fan never seemed as cool as it should be.

07-05-2020, 06:49 PM	#6
Danial Drives: 2013 SS/RS, 2015 Camaro SS/RS Vert Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 2,353 View My Garage	Lots of good points here. I would also like to throw in that if you need freon, then you have a leak. These are closed loop systems. For the record, I have always thought the AC in my 2013 SS was weak. The AC in my 09 Mustang GT spoiled me I guess. That thing had the best AC in any vehicle I've owned.

07-12-2020, 03:51 PM	#9
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 503	What is the vice grip test? __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO