Cold A/C ... only when moving

[bkboatnsleds]

I have a 2003 Tahoe - manual HVAC system.. I get cold AC but its only when the truck is moving - if I come to a stop light, it starts blowing warm air at me. Thoughts? I could be on the expressway for 2 hours.. blowing cold and then stop and warm air starts..

I also have a 2002 Yukon doing the same thing -but it seems after driving a while I can then come to a stop light and it will still blow cold..

Thoughts??

 

[LinuxMint]

Needs to have the freon refilled maybe?

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

I agree, take them in and have the AC recharged...

 

[gitrduun]

Wash out your radiator and tranny cooler and shit, the condenser is in the mix somewhere and if you don't get flow over it from a plugged up rad ,it'll give symptoms like yours

 

[afpj]

Do you have the belt driven fan? look at your fan clutch. Had same issue and cleaned out radiator (from the outside, although a flush may not hurt either) and changed the fan clutch...now blows cold at a stop even when 110 outside.
Good luck and let us know what you did.

 

[Vinniety]

Do you have the belt driven fan? look at your fan clutch. Had same issue and cleaned out radiator (from the outside, although a flush may not hurt either) and changed the fan clutch...now blows cold at a stop even when 110 outside.
Good luck and let us know what you did.

I agree with the fan clutch. When driving the air is cooling the condenser. When your stopped the fan is suppose to do the job and it sounds like it isn't. No matter how much freon you put in it wont get cold if the condenser gets heat soaked.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Fan clutch. Thats the first sign of a fan clutch going out. AC getting warm will be the least of your worries if you do not replace it. You don't want your engine overheating and end up causing damage. Just replace the fan clutch and while the fan is off, hose out the radiator fins from the engine side (like suggested above). You will be surprised how much dirt , leaves, and dead bugs will come out of the fins.

 

[streetscraper1]

If it were your fan clutch your engine temp would be getting hotter than normal, I say you just need your freon level topped off. Just have somebody hook up some guages and check your high and low pressures.

 

[ScottyBoy]

If it were your fan clutch your engine temp would be getting hotter than normal, I say you just need your freon level topped off. Just have somebody hook up some guages and check your high and low pressures.

Not always. The fan clutch can still be partially working. Like I said in my post above, warm AC only at idle is the first sign of a fan clutch going bad.
I am not saying the refrigerant isn't low, but DO NOT simply rule out the fan clutch just because your coolant temp hasnt gotten very high yet.

 

[streetscraper1]

^^ what he said!

 

[CEN2MENTAL95]

Total stupid question but the fan clutch is eliminated with efans correct?

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

Yes, it would...

 

[Rivieraracing]

Yeah, was gonna say to get the e fans as well! BK, I see your sig and it says custom tune, do you have a way to find out where ever you had the tune done by if they turned on your pins for the efans? You would love them and would solve your warm AC problem!!!

__________________
2003 TAHOE

5.3 -Swapped for-> 6.0HO LQ9: Gibson Headers: Cold Air Intake: CUSTOM TUNE: Magnaflow Cat Back: LED Tails: LED Interior Lights : Escalade Roof Rack: 20" LTZ Wheels: Depo Projectors : HID's : NNBS Emblems : HD Hood

 

[fire730]

__________________
2003 TAHOE

5.3 -Swapped for-> 6.0HO LQ9: Gibson Headers: Cold Air Intake: CUSTOM TUNE: Magnaflow Cat Back: LED Tails: LED Interior Lights : Escalade Roof Rack: 20" LTZ Wheels: Depo Projectors : HID's : NNBS Emblems : HD Hood

I can't believe that you still have a clutch fan on your truck with all those upgrades.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Thanks guys - Yes - still have the fan clutch - No e-fans (Yet)

I'll try the clutch, and cleaning - its easy enough and cheap enough anyhow.

 

[HK-DEMON-]

Have you tried replacing your A/C blower filters?

My Hoe had the same problem. I was then told by a buddy of mine to check the cab filters, to my surprise both filters were stupidly clogged up with debris. After replacing the filters my problem came to a rapid solution.

Both filters can be found underneath your glove compartment by removing that black cover.

 

[fire730]

I'm pretty sure 02 was the last year with the cabin filters. His is an 03.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Yep - no filter on this one - good thought though!

 

[gwilk]

I had mine do the same thing last year. Tried adding freon and still didn't keep it working. Took to friend at dealership and hooked up guages and said compressor is weak and I had too much freon in. So, he evacuated it all and refilled to proper level. I havent replaced compressor yet but same thing this year with it. Just waiting to order replacement compressor.

 

[imi4tth3w]

depending on the year and vehicle, most efan set ups only use 1 fan under normal conditions. if the a/c is kicked on or the engine gets to a certain temp, the second fan will kick on.