AC takes forever to get cold
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 26
From: Bucks County, PA
AC takes forever to get cold
Before I take my Excursion in for service, I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar situation. When I turn on the air conditioning, it blows warm for at least 5-10 minutes, then slowly gets somewhat cold after 15-20 minutes. It never really gets as cold as my other vehicles, though. Would a refrigerant charge take care of it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Mine blows warm air and never gets cold. I put a can of freon in it but there was no change. There is a clicking noise every 2 seconds that comes from the passsenger side near the firewall and I'm pretty sure the pump is cycling on and off because it drops a couple rpm's every time it clicks. I checked the vents and also there is no leaks.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: South Texas/RGV
Don't just start dumping R134a in. You need to test the pressure first. Too much is far worse for the system than too little.
1) Test the current charge. There are cheapo gauges at the auto parts stores that will read roughly the charge. Note that you need to compensate for the outside air temperature.
2) Clean your condensor coils.
3) Check that your cooling fan is moving air.
At idle the system design appears to be weak for very hot temperatures. So if you are spending a lot of time sitting such as in stop and go traffic it appears to be normal for the diesels not to produce strong A/C. My hypothesis is that the idle speed is too low to cool the large volume of air in these trucks as increasing the idle speed results in noticeably more cooling in a properly charged vehicle.
1) Test the current charge. There are cheapo gauges at the auto parts stores that will read roughly the charge. Note that you need to compensate for the outside air temperature.
2) Clean your condensor coils.
3) Check that your cooling fan is moving air.
At idle the system design appears to be weak for very hot temperatures. So if you are spending a lot of time sitting such as in stop and go traffic it appears to be normal for the diesels not to produce strong A/C. My hypothesis is that the idle speed is too low to cool the large volume of air in these trucks as increasing the idle speed results in noticeably more cooling in a properly charged vehicle.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Mine blows warm air and never gets cold. I put a can of freon in it but there was no change. There is a clicking noise every 2 seconds that comes from the passsenger side near the firewall and I'm pretty sure the pump is cycling on and off because it drops a couple rpm's every time it clicks. I checked the vents and also there is no leaks.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Latrobe PA
or not enough freon in the system.That's my bet. Once the compressor stays on the clicking will go away. i believe your electric clutch is kicking on and off when the pressure drops. Might try another can but gages are your best bet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I doubt it that is it because after I added the can it made zero difference and the clicking noise wasn't there before.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
So the fan is blowing the air out the vents but the compressor isn't pumping the freon?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: mt.prospect
Not sure if all excursions are the same but mine doesn't have a electric fan to help cool the condensor.SOO it takes time to cool it down.
I'm thinking about adding a electric fan for that reason
I'm thinking about adding a electric fan for that reason
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Grab the lines by the drier. They should be cold enough for you not to be able to hold them for too long. If they arent, you either have a leak (low freon) or the expansion valve may be stuck closed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
That clicking sound under the dash will probably turn out to be the Blend Door Actuator. It's not allowing the blend door to close off airflow to the heater core completely.
You will also need very likely need to have the refrigerant recovered and the system recharged to get rid of the overcharged condition that can damage your AC compressor.
Adding refrigerant is NEVER the first step in AC system diagnosis.
You will also need very likely need to have the refrigerant recovered and the system recharged to get rid of the overcharged condition that can damage your AC compressor.
Adding refrigerant is NEVER the first step in AC system diagnosis.
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