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Common problem with the air conditioning?

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Offline Rally_T-115

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Common problem with the air conditioning?
« on: May 09, 2007, 06:16:26 PM »
Is there a common problem with the air conditioning on these Gen2 v6's?  My A/C was working back in february when I bought the car (I tried it in the shop while I was rustblocking it, and the test thermometer needle went down PAST the blue zone which means really really good), AND it was working a couple weeks ago when I was out for a drive on a warm rainy day and I used the A/C to defog the windows, worked great. 

But now, first uncomfortably hot day of the year, I go turn on the A/C and my vents only blow warm air.   The electric fan infront of the condensor is working, and I know the compressor is working because the tube leading from the compressor into the condensor was WICKED hot, the tube leading out of the condensor was only lukewarm, but the tubes that go into the firewall (going to the evaporator) were both warm. 

So yeah I see I have a leak but is there a common place for these to leak on these grandvitaras?  Or is there other common problems with the a/c systems?   It just irks me that the total running time of the a/c since I bought the car is easily less than 20 minutes (I only ran the a/c long enough to defog the windows a couple weeks ago).  When I bought the car the dealer told me that they just finished doing major a/c repairs (replaced the compressor I remember for sure, maybe some other components.)  Like I said I know the compressor is still working, unless it's common for compressors to leak out the shaft or something!!!!  [Insert flaming mad smiley]   >:(

Thanks for any info, my car's in my sig

James
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
No lift or bigger tires intended.
Warn hubs. Air-SOTF circumvented.
Aftermarket4x4 front skid & fuel tank skid.  RRO Rockrails.
Waiting for: trans crossmember upgrade & skid. Contemplating: ARB rear locker.

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Offline IanL

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2007, 01:17:27 AM »
 It just irks me that the total running time of the a/c since I bought the car is easily less than 20 minutes (I only ran the a/c long enough to defog the windows a couple weeks ago). 

And that may be your problem.  You should run the a/c at least ten minutes a month, to keep the seals lubricated.  If not they tend to fail  :(
'98 GV V6, '96 X-90 with RRO 2.5" lift and 195/80 R15, '93 Cappuccino.

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Offline trackinstile

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2007, 06:31:21 AM »
I have a leak on my 2000, I had it charged once, never found the leak, it worked for a whole year, then it stopped again, I am going to just buy a can of R-134A (At least that's what I think it is) and charge it myself and try again.  The compressor will or at least should stop working in order to protect itself from lack of lubrication.  Dave ;D
A wise man once said, "Wherever you go...........There you are.............." 2000 Tracker 4 door with the 2.0 liter "Big Block". 5 speed 4WD  2001 XL-7 EX II

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Offline Fredo

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2007, 03:09:26 PM »
Haha! Same thing here...

First hot day of the year...no cold air!?


Proud member of the C.A.B.L (coalition against body-lifting) 2002 GV

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Offline joe_herz

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2007, 09:17:50 AM »
Check your fuses. My Tracker was experiencing the same thing, the aux fan at the front wasn't turning on and kept blowing fuses.

Oh the fuse for me was on the passenger fender, I thought they were sealed relays until I started poking around.

Unplugged the fan and I now drive with cold air. I'll try and find a junkyard replacement before summer's end but so far so good and the temp needle is rock solid. As it should be with the fan on the other side of the rad...

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Offline Rally_T-115

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2007, 04:51:46 PM »
There was never anything electically wrong with my A/C.  The fan and compressor worked fine.

Turns out I was low on R-134a.  It leaked out because the low side tube (the larger return tube) that runs from the firewall, along the passenger side of the engine compartment, and around the front of the radiator, pretty much on top of the bumper, had corroded and sprung pinhole leaks where this tube is clamped down on the bumper.    Whoever serviced my a/c system before I bought it put in a whole lotta dye so it was really obvious.

James
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
No lift or bigger tires intended.
Warn hubs. Air-SOTF circumvented.
Aftermarket4x4 front skid & fuel tank skid.  RRO Rockrails.
Waiting for: trans crossmember upgrade & skid. Contemplating: ARB rear locker.

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Offline blacknight

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Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2007, 06:20:04 PM »
There was never anything electically wrong with my A/C.  The fan and compressor worked fine.

Turns out I was low on R-134a.  It leaked out because the low side tube (the larger return tube) that runs from the firewall, along the passenger side of the engine compartment, and around the front of the radiator, pretty much on top of the bumper, had corroded and sprung pinhole leaks where this tube is clamped down on the bumper.    Whoever serviced my a/c system before I bought it put in a whole lotta dye so it was really obvious.

James

This is a noted issue with 99's to around 01.  No recall of course but Suzuki did come out with a new clamp to keep the two metals from touching and corroding out.

George

Re: Common problem with the air conditioning?
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2007, 01:01:31 PM »
This is a noted issue with 99's to around 01.  No recall of course but Suzuki did come out with a new clamp to keep the two metals from touching and corroding out.

George

My DSM helped me out and told me of this problem with my 00 GV long before I had a problem.  He had me order the improved clamps and install them.  Here it is 2007 and my A/C is still chilly (well, it was before I parked it for 2 years, dunno now).

The problem is the old style clamps carried a galvanic charge across them.  This accelerated the corrosion.  Maybe your aught 2 had the old clamp design?

On the bright side, you can lose the ice and convert the compressor over to on-board air. ;D