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Warm A/C when Idle

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by scorpionsix, May 21, 2008.

  1. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    Hello All,

    I have a question regarding A/C Temperatures during Idle in warm climates (Phoenix, Arizona). I have a 2005 Prius with 63K miles and the A/C works GREAT when commuting 30 miles one way in the HOV lane. However when driving in the city from light to light, I notice that the A/C warms up almost like it isn't working.

    Has anyone experienced this and if so is it normal? I am considering taking it too the dealer, but wanted to consult with other owners first.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 scorpionsix, May 21, 2008
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Not normal. Does it get cold if you set the temp lower? If not then it's off to the dealer.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, May 21, 2008
  3. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    Figured as much :( -- Even when the A/C is set to Auto and Max cold and outside temp(s) are around 90 + or - 10 Degrees the inside cabin temperature feels like a warm 78 degrees (when sitting at a stop light)...
     
    #3 scorpionsix, May 21, 2008
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Bummer.

    An unfortunately common failure mode is puncture of the A/C radiator by road debris. The undercarriage is rather open. It may be prudent to add some wire mesh or expanded metal for protection.
     
    #4 richard schumacher, May 21, 2008
  5. racerbob

    racerbob Member

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    Dealer will most likely find a condenser fan that is not working. AC will be ok when moving because there is airflow over the condenser. When you stop, there is no heat transfer. Refrigerant level should be fine if it cools when you start moving. You might want to check to see if the condenser (in front of the radiator) is plugged with insects or rocks/sand. Check for a blown fuse before making the trip to the dealer.
     
    #5 racerbob, May 21, 2008
  6. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    Thanks for the helpful information!

    Say it was damage to the AC condenser or radiator, and I purchased the Premium Extended Service warranty - I know this is all speculation, but would you imagine that this would be covered under warranty {or} since it happened while I was driving would I be responsible?
     
    #6 scorpionsix, May 21, 2008
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the damage was due to a road hazard, I would not expect the warranty to cover the damage. However your auto insurance might cover it as a comprehensive claim.

    I think that racerbob is on the right track. Try turning on the A/C when the car is READY, and see if at least one radiator fan (out of two) is running. If neither fan is operating, that proves his guess is correct.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, May 21, 2008
  8. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    Follow Up:

    After getting a clean bill of health from the Dealer, with the exception of the Freon being a little low, the A/C was found to be in good working condition with no leaks.

    A week later, I have found that if I turn off the Auto AC, and set the fan speed to medium or lower, I get a much cooler temperature in the warm Phoenix AZ afternoon heat.

    I can only assume that when the AC Fan is running at a lower speed it is not working as hard in Auto AC mode?? Temperature wise, the lower the fan speed, the cooler the temperature???

    Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!
     
    #8 scorpionsix, May 30, 2008
  9. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I'd wonder about that diagnosis. My Prius is 4 years old and the A/C is still ice cold.

    A very slow leak can be hard to find. The most likely culprit is the condenser, it picks up a lot of road debris
     
    #9 jayman, May 30, 2008
  10. racerbob

    racerbob Member

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    Also using the recirculate mode will give you colder vent temps.
     
    #10 racerbob, May 30, 2008
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    That sounds peculiar. What happens if you leave it in Auto and simply set the temperature lower? But hey, whatever works :_>
     
    #11 richard schumacher, May 30, 2008
  12. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    So, do all your vehicles run "ice cold" when idle or moving below 10 mph? Is this the same when the outside temps are around 85 to 95 Degrees and your car is warmed up? Currently, my AC is only "ice cold" above 60mph and above 20 mph its cold. But at low speeds and idle the AC feels like the ac isn't even on and I am simply blowing outside air in (mildly cool - like a warm day in the shade)...

    Have a 2nd appointment to verify that I am not crazy - if this fails then I will be test driving a newer Prius to see if what my car is doing is normal.

    Thanks again to everyones comments!
     
    #12 scorpionsix, Jun 2, 2008
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Yes, nice and cold when the car is not moving. I agree it's not as cold as when the car is moving fast, but if you can't feel it at all then something is broken.
     
    #13 richard schumacher, Jun 2, 2008
  14. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    3rd and Final Follow-up

    $1725 dollars later (of which $1675 was covered by extended warranty) I am now happy to report that my AC is cold all the time. It turns out the compresser was coming a part internally and was only putting out 75 volts on High (when it should have been around 195 volts). A new receiver/dryer & compresser was installed and the system recharged.

    NOW LIFE IS GOOD in the HOT Phoenix Summer weather!

    Thank you all for your helpful responses
     
    #14 scorpionsix, Jun 27, 2008
  15. mingoglia

    mingoglia Member

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    Sounds good. I was going to suggest meeting up so you could compare yours to mine. I'm in Gilbert, but will be up in Glendale tomorrow evening.

    Also, many may think their A/C is working perfectly if they for example live in Canada.... but in the southwest US, we really push our A/C and if it's not 100% we can feel a difference when we're trying to cool down a 150 degree interior that's been sitting baking under the sun on a 115 degree day. :eek:
     
    #15 mingoglia, Jun 27, 2008
  16. scorpionsix

    scorpionsix New Member

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    Thanks for the offer! If my last service visit did not fix the problem, I was considering trading in the car because you are SO right about the HOT temperatures here. Comuting in the HOV lane was always cool inside, but when you drive up to an accident or looky-loo's and have to slow down, it was almost cooler to simply roll the window's down.

    I can not begin to put in words how much I missed my Prius when I had to drive in the regular lane -- Commuting 30 miles one way. It Sucked!

    Thanks Again!
     
    #16 scorpionsix, Jun 27, 2008
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