AC Question

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

Originally Posted by edgehead2000

I tend to believe this after many a trip between NM and Vegas; in Vegas, I could roll the SS and my old Crossfire off the line by just letting go of the clutch whereas in NM I need a little bit of gas to do the same.

I used to live in Albuquerque, at Wyoming and Candelaria, back in the late 80's. Loved it there. I lived there when a guy comitted suicide by renting a plane and flying it into the sheer face of Sandia Peak. Wow.

My cars were considerably slower at altitude (still are), but at least everyone else's power was off by the same measure. Back in those 'olden times' I would re-jet the carb with smaller main jets, as the fuel requirement is less to get the same mixture as at lower altitudes.

John B.

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

Originally Posted by tomlink

Can't speak to the power loss, but AC systems have a "recovery mode". If you flip the system off and then back on, recovery mode prevents the compressor from coming right back on to prevent system damage. I'm not sure if this applies to your car though.

This is accurate. The compressor is not designed to activate right after it has just shut off. The high pressure side of the system slowly reduces pressure just after the compressor shuts off, which is why you still have cooling even when it's not running (for a short time). If the compressor were to activate, it would virtually run into a walll of high pressure at its discharge point and load the compressor too much, causing damage or a big shock to the clutch/belt/etc.

John B.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by RayYork

The Findlay service writer said that there was a difference in the pressure when it came in and when they recharged the system. I sent this to my local dealer and am waiting to hear what they say.

Please let us know how everything has gone for you at the dealership. We hope everything works out for you. We are also here if you have any questions at all!

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

[RedRaven]

I agree witht the altitude/pressure theory. Next time try the fuse pull when you get to altitude.

Used to have a '85 stang II that came from Colorado Springs. Never ran right in Fla.

[2SS-11]

Originally Posted by ckaram

I've noticed a "whine" with the air on that moves with RPM's, but no significant drain in power.

Interesting that I've just noticed it since it's been over 90*.

Just drove 4 hours with the air on from Detroit and no issues.

Same here, just noticed the slight whinne with air on and high outside temps. Don't remember it from last summer though

[Scalded Dog]

Had an '82 Camaro with a v6... rated for 102 scorching hp under optimum conditions. Drove that thing to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, which rises to over 14,000 ft. elev.

Let me tell ya.... I had that ol' thing floored, and it just barely made it to the top of the mountain... very slow, quite a struggle. Had to keep checking my mirrors to convince myself that I was NOT towing five other cars and boat anchor, because it sure felt like it!

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by 2SS-11

Same here, just noticed the slight whinne with air on and high outside temps. Don't remember it from last summer though

If you are having a concern with your vehicle, the best thing to do is to get a proper diagnosis by your dealership. This may be something that could be covered under warranty if found to be a defect. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

[2SS-11]

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

If you are having a concern with your vehicle, the best thing to do is to get a proper diagnosis by your dealership. This may be something that could be covered under warranty if found to be a defect. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

Thanks Brandon. With all the hot weather we are having now, i'll try to let the dealer take a look and see/hear.

[RayYork]

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

Please let us know how everything has gone for you at the dealership. We hope everything works out for you. We are also here if you have any questions at all!

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

I took my car to my local dealership (Blade Chevrolet in Mount Vernon WA) yesterday and the tech's report is that it is functioning within normal parameters.

I gave the service writer a heads up to what has happened to this point (I copied and pasted my original post in an email to him).

They knew that they would likely not be able to replicate the issue.

The computer gave no codes and the system was operating properly.

I can't imagine that it is normal to feel the AC come on and leach so much power but this is the first manual transmission car that I have had with AC so it is possible that I am not used to the feel of the AC affecting the power as directly as it may not be in an auto. My gut feeling is that auto's hide a lot of the feedback from the power train that manuals transfer back to the driver. I'm likely just trying to come up with something that makes me feel better about it but that's the story I'm telling myself.

I agree that it was likely a frozen line or too high pressure that shut my system down in the desert and that's why it worked fine the next day.

At this point, the system is checking out fine and Chevrolet has it on record that there was an issue (perceived or actual) in the eventuality that it dies down the road.