03 Tahoe AC Question

[Dantheman-2003]

So I just serviced my AC. Needed a new relay switch for the compressor and a few pumps from the can. Blows cold. Only issue is, when I press the snowflake, no cold. But then I hit the recirculate and the snowflake disappears, and blows cold. I took a picture. Seems when the snowflake appears, the light should come on and blow cold. Only blows cold when recirculating.

 

[MassHoe04]

I know squat about AC, but though of something to try...

Press Auto and see if the AC kicks in on that mode.

Like I said, worth trying just to see how it responds to that command.

I almost always use auto on mine and set the temp to basically stay the same all the time (+/- a few). Whenever ambient outside temperatures are above 40 or so, the snowflake lights up and you can hear the compressor cycling even when I am calling for heat to warm up the cabin to 72 F. I was told that almost year-round (depending on where you are) cycling of the system is designed to keep the compressor seals and things exercised as much as possible.

 

[03catburban]

I ran into this many years ago with my suburban and wife's Tahoe

But my 03 suburban you have to have the snowflake on for ac to work and on the 04 Tahoe turning it on, will turn the ac off. If you look closely you'll see a line through the snow flake where it means off

And if I remember correctly cause it has been many years lol. Something about the early models/ software automatically had ac off and you had to command it on. But then they changed it too ac was always on with the control and you had to command it off instead if you didn't want it.

I also recall if you buy a replacement control that they the same with ac on always and you command it off

 

[MassHoe04]

I ran into this many years ago with my suburban and wife's Tahoe

But my 03 suburban you have to have the snowflake on for ac to work and on the 04 Tahoe turning it on, will turn the ac off. If you look closely you'll see a line through the snow flake where it means off

And if I remember correctly cause it has been many years lol. Something about the early models/ software automatically had ac off and you had to command it on. But then they changed it too ac was always on with the control and you had to command it off instead if you didn't want it.

I also recall if you buy a replacement control that they the same with ac on always and you command it off

What you explain seems right to me.

Also... I believe the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors and controls the AC, so swapping the HVAC control module in the dash to an aftermarket replacement would need a recalibration but should function the same as an original controller.

I was going to add to post above, that I never actually touch the AC "snowflake" button. I basically run on AUTO, based on desired temperature, all the time.
With the exception of changing the split flow to defrost/defog windshield. Never used the snowflake button, so I guess I forgot what it actually did.

Other than that, I am letting it do its own thing...

I have over 212k miles on an original AC system and it still blows cold. Maybe that system where it stays on to exercise as long as it is above freezing outside worked too good!

Maybe tis is what engineers were thinking after seeing our compressors last so long:
You sell fewer replacement compressors last that long, so let's put it back to leaving compressor off all the time and let the seals have a chance to harden and dry out... LOL

 

[Fless]

I ran into this many years ago with my suburban and wife's Tahoe

But my 03 suburban you have to have the snowflake on for ac to work and on the 04 Tahoe turning it on, will turn the ac off. If you look closely you'll see a line through the snow flake where it means off

And if I remember correctly cause it has been many years lol. Something about the early models/ software automatically had ac off and you had to command it on. But then they changed it too ac was always on with the control and you had to command it off instead if you didn't want it.

I also recall if you buy a replacement control that they the same with ac on always and you command it off

There are some variations as to how the A/C functions display, so it might be good to read the manual. Here's part of what mine says (there's more on the subject):

 

[03catburban]

What you explain seems right to me.

Also... I believe the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors and controls the AC, so swapping the HVAC control module in the dash to an aftermarket replacement would need a recalibration but should function the same as an original controller.

I was going to add to post above, that I never actually touch the AC "snowflake" button. I basically run on AUTO, based on desired temperature, all the time.
With the exception of changing the split flow to defrost/defog windshield. Never used the snowflake button, so I guess I forgot what it actually did.

Other than that, I am letting it do its own thing...

I have over 212k miles on an original AC system and it still blows cold. Maybe that system where it stays on to exercise as long as it is above freezing outside worked too good!

Maybe tis is what engineers were thinking after seeing our compressors last so long:
You sell fewer replacement compressors last that long, so let's put it back to leaving compressor off all the time and let the seals have a chance to harden and dry out... LOL

I understand the recalibration, I have a scan tool that does that for me. But the snowflake works opposite in between those 2 rigs I own

 

[MassHoe04]

I understand the recalibration, I have a scan tool that does that for me. But the snowflake works opposite in between those 2 rigs I own

That's a stumper... Can't help at this point, so I guess I'll tap out.

Boston comedian, Steven Wright, had a bit that wen something like this:

Moved into a new apartment the other day... There was a switch near the closet. I flipped it on and nothing happened. I kept flipping it on-off-on-off and gave up. A month later I got a letter from a woman in Germany that said "Cut that out!".

Maybe you are actually driving somebody else crazy every time you keep hitting the snowflake button!

Seriously, good luck to you. If there is a logical reason for what is happening or not happening, someone here is likely able to help you figure it out.

 

[Sam Harris]

So I just serviced my AC. Needed a new relay switch for the compressor and a few pumps from the can. Blows cold. Only issue is, when I press the snowflake, no cold. But then I hit the recirculate and the snowflake disappears, and blows cold. I took a picture. Seems when the snowflake appears, the light should come on and blow cold. Only blows cold when recirculating.

The snowflake actually has a line through it. When activated, you’re turning OFF the A/C.

After reading the other responses, I’ll also point out, my rig is an ‘03 as well. I’d expect it to match the behavior of your Tahoe.