AC Trouble

[dbdeland]

This is not related to coolent, but I need help.
I have a 1999 Dodge Caravan, the air conditioner takes about 10 minutes to blow cold air out.I recently had the evaporator and expansion valve installed by a certifed machanic. After the ac blows cold air the thermonter reaches 42 degrees cold.It also has a rear AC.

 

[Chris142]

The temp sounds fine for a 134a system. Is the air coming out of the vents hot at first then going cold or slowly cools off?

Maybe theres something wrong with the vacuum motors that move the different doors in the dash?

 

[dbdeland]

The air comes out hot then cools off. Thanks for your imput. the outside temp. is around 97 I thought this was some of the problem but my machanic informed me that was not the problem.

 

[Chris142]

In that much heat it will take a few mins for the cabin temp to come down. Normal.

 

[Kestas]

Make sure that once you get the initial heat out of the cabin to switch to recirculation mode, sometimes call MAX AC. It's hard for the a/c to always squeeze the moisture out of the fresh humid air. Recirc will keep you cooler.

 

[dbdeland]

Thank you Chris and Kestas for your info, This afternoon I tried all or your suggestions with no change,it also was raining and the outside temp. was 88 degrees. I did not have this problem until I had the evaporator and expansion installed again thanks.

 

[rcy]

I have a '99 as well, without rear air conditioning. My vent temps hit around 38 in recirc and highway driving. At city speeds, it's anywhere from 40-42 in recirc. It's a big van and does take time to cool down the interior.

You can run a cooldown diagnostic by doing the following: Do this before running the A/C at all.

Blower on high
Mode to panel (that's the vent position)
Make sure all vents are open
Temp on cold

Depress 'wash' and 'A/C' simultaneously for 5 seconds. When all lights turn on, release the buttons.

Cooldown test is running when A/C and RECIRC are flashing alternately. If it passes the cooldown test, no lights will be lit. If A/C and RECIRC are flashing simultaneously the system has failed cooldown.

This test measures the temperature drop across the evaporator. The A/C system must be able to bring the evaporator temperature down a predetermined minimum amount in less than 2 minutes.

 

[dbdeland]

Thank you RCY for this info. my machanic did this and everthing checked out I don't recall him checking the 2 minute deal we will re-check this operation. again thanks.