HVAC Issue

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

09_BLK GMC

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Posts
42
Reaction score
36
Location
Belleville, MI
Hello,
So first off hopefully this is the right section for these questions. Secondly I have done alot of searching with no real solution.

I have a 2011 Tahoe LS with Manual control with dual temp

I'm having problems with my AC canister underhood (sorry forgot what it was called) freezing up during AC during the summer which causes blockage of airflow in the cabin. I'm also having the same problem with the defrost. I shut them off so the cannister can defrost to run my AC/Defrost another little while before I have to do it again. Blend doors are currently not my issue as air flow goes where I have the dial set to. This is starting to really get on my nerves Lol! Any help on what it may be would be great!! Thank you!!
 

wjburken

Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2017
Posts
9,790
Reaction score
26,653
Location
Eastern Iowa
Hello,
So first off hopefully this is the right section for these questions. Secondly I have done alot of searching with no real solution.

I have a 2011 Tahoe LS with Manual control with dual temp

I'm having problems with my AC canister underhood (sorry forgot what it was called) freezing up during AC during the summer which causes blockage of airflow in the cabin. I'm also having the same problem with the defrost. I shut them off so the cannister can defrost to run my AC/Defrost another little while before I have to do it again. Blend doors are currently not my issue as air flow goes where I have the dial set to. This is starting to really get on my nerves Lol! Any help on what it may be would be great!! Thank you!!
I would reach out to @UmmScott with this question.
 

UmmScott

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Posts
194
Reaction score
203
Location
Omaha
If its freezing up, we really need a good quality gauge at least on the low side of the system.

Thats called the accumulator (referencing the canister you're mentioning)

Im not 100% sure on a 2011 model but im pretty sure its still a clutch cycling system. If so, then we really need to know the low side pressure of the system before going further. Theres not much else i can do without knowing this yet.
Also, being a 2011 model even tho you have manual temp controls, it may also be in control of freeze up issues. Ill have to look into that.

But really...cant really go further without knowing the running system pressures on the high and low sides. Could be a number of things. Overcharged, undercharged, weak compressor, stuck open rear AC expansion valve, high head pressure, failed closed clutch cycling switch...just to name some things.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
0

09_BLK GMC

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Posts
42
Reaction score
36
Location
Belleville, MI
If its freezing up, we really need a good quality gauge at least on the low side of the system.

Thats called the accumulator (referencing the canister you're mentioning)

Im not 100% sure on a 2011 model but im pretty sure its still a clutch cycling system. If so, then we really need to know the low side pressure of the system before going further. Theres not much else i can do without knowing this yet.
Also, being a 2011 model even tho you have manual temp controls, it may also be in control of freeze up issues. Ill have to look into that.

But really...cant really go further without knowing the running system pressures on the high and low sides. Could be a number of things. Overcharged, undercharged, weak compressor, stuck open rear AC expansion valve, high head pressure, failed closed clutch cycling switch...just to name some things.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Damn, that is alot of stuff that could be the problem. Ill get that info and post up. Thank you!
 

UmmScott

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Posts
194
Reaction score
203
Location
Omaha
Damn, that is alot of stuff that could be the problem. Ill get that info and post up. Thank you!
If you're determined to get the operating pressures... please study up or get someone local to help you test it.
I mean, you can go and buy a manifold test set but alot of guys who dont know the ins/outs of AC end up causing more issues.

I am here to help tho as best i can!

Does the rear AC unit work correctly?
How long have you owned the vehicle? Has the ac system ever been charged up or had history of being charged or tested?


Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
0

09_BLK GMC

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Posts
42
Reaction score
36
Location
Belleville, MI
If you're determined to get the operating pressures... please study up or get someone local to help you test it.
I mean, you can go and buy a manifold test set but alot of guys who dont know the ins/outs of AC end up causing more issues.

I am here to help tho as best i can!

Does the rear AC unit work correctly?
How long have you owned the vehicle? Has the ac system ever been charged up or had history of being charged or tested?


Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I appreciate it, Thank you!

To answer your questions I have owned it since new and have never been serviced. The rear AC system appears to work fine. I did notice the rear passenger AC piping there aswell sweats/defrosts and leaves a puddle of water when I park the truck the same way as the front.
 

UmmScott

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Posts
194
Reaction score
203
Location
Omaha
I appreciate it, Thank you!

To answer your questions I have owned it since new and have never been serviced. The rear AC system appears to work fine. I did notice the rear passenger AC piping there aswell sweats/defrosts and leaves a puddle of water when I park the truck the same way as the front.
Thats good info.

Here is a test i would do. Start car, turn AC on and controls to the coldest settings. Turn rear system OFF. Turn front system to coldest with the Lowest fan speed and turn recirc on. Let it run like this for 10 mins or more.
Wait until you see frost on the AC lines and accumulator. Keep an eye on the AC compressor clutch. Also put a thermometer in your ac vents.
During this test, when the frost starts to appear, the compressor clutch should begin to cycle off....then on...then off. Also, your vent temps shouldnt get much below 34 to 32F.

If....when doing this test, the compressor never shuts off. Take a blunt object and tap on the clutch cycling switch (on the accumulator and has 2 wires going to it)
If...when doing this, the comp cycles off ans stays off till the frost is all gone and vent temps warm up, then your cycling switch is sticking and causing your problems.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
0

09_BLK GMC

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Posts
42
Reaction score
36
Location
Belleville, MI
Thats good info.

Here is a test i would do. Start car, turn AC on and controls to the coldest settings. Turn rear system OFF. Turn front system to coldest with the Lowest fan speed and turn recirc on. Let it run like this for 10 mins or more.
Wait until you see frost on the AC lines and accumulator. Keep an eye on the AC compressor clutch. Also put a thermometer in your ac vents.
During this test, when the frost starts to appear, the compressor clutch should begin to cycle off....then on...then off. Also, your vent temps shouldnt get much below 34 to 32F.

If....when doing this test, the compressor never shuts off. Take a blunt object and tap on the clutch cycling switch (on the accumulator and has 2 wires going to it)
If...when doing this, the comp cycles off ans stays off till the frost is all gone and vent temps warm up, then your cycling switch is sticking and causing your problems.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Ok, cool! Thank you!
 
OP
OP
0

09_BLK GMC

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Posts
42
Reaction score
36
Location
Belleville, MI
Thats good info.

Here is a test i would do. Start car, turn AC on and controls to the coldest settings. Turn rear system OFF. Turn front system to coldest with the Lowest fan speed and turn recirc on. Let it run like this for 10 mins or more.
Wait until you see frost on the AC lines and accumulator. Keep an eye on the AC compressor clutch. Also put a thermometer in your ac vents.
During this test, when the frost starts to appear, the compressor clutch should begin to cycle off....then on...then off. Also, your vent temps shouldnt get much below 34 to 32F.

If....when doing this test, the compressor never shuts off. Take a blunt object and tap on the clutch cycling switch (on the accumulator and has 2 wires going to it)
If...when doing this, the comp cycles off ans stays off till the frost is all gone and vent temps warm up, then your cycling switch is sticking and causing your problems.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Also about the 2 wire plug, my accumulator doesn't have it. Unless I'm really overlooking something.
IMG_11341.jpg
 

Forum statistics

Threads
129,103
Posts
1,810,329
Members
92,175
Latest member
marthaInKilgore

Latest posts

Top