Comments on: Subaru Air Conditioning Explained http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/ Mon, 21 May 2012 19:02:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-105626 Justin Stobb Mon, 14 May 2012 19:03:28 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-105626 Hi Lee, Ac is actually the single most frustrating system to diagnose sometimes. You can have a small leak that is very difficult to determine the cause or multiple slow leaks that show up one at a time, an electrical issue with the automatic climate control system and than the market place just doesn't allow for proper time for a proper diagnoses with everyone trying to perform Ac services and the average driver not understanding all of the complexities. Then yes, when you add a warranty company to the mix it can add a entirely different element to the diagnoses in the way of who is paying for it. It doesn't sound to me like that's exactly whats going on in your situation but with Jiffy lube offering cheap ac services, it has made it very difficult as a shop to get paid to properly diagnose a problem, when there is one that is not straight forward. I am not aware of any typical issues with the Tribeca which is most likely why its been such a back and forth situation for you. I would make arrangements with the Service department and state you "don't want it back until its perfect". I hope that helps, and It can be fixed. Justin Hi Lee,

Ac is actually the single most frustrating system to diagnose sometimes. You can have a small leak that is very difficult to determine the cause or multiple slow leaks that show up one at a time, an electrical issue with the automatic climate control system and than the market place just doesn’t allow for proper time for a proper diagnoses with everyone trying to perform Ac services and the average driver not understanding all of the complexities. Then yes, when you add a warranty company to the mix it can add a entirely different element to the diagnoses in the way of who is paying for it. It doesn’t sound to me like that’s exactly whats going on in your situation but with Jiffy lube offering cheap ac services, it has made it very difficult as a shop to get paid to properly diagnose a problem, when there is one that is not straight forward.

I am not aware of any typical issues with the Tribeca which is most likely why its been such a back and forth situation for you. I would make arrangements with the Service department and state you “don’t want it back until its perfect”.

I hope that helps, and It can be fixed.

Justin

]]> By: Lee http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-105599 Lee Mon, 14 May 2012 03:53:10 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-105599 I have been having problems with the AC in my 2008 Tribeca for over a year now. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) living here in the PAC NW I don't use the AC very much, so the problem may have existed for much longer. I took it in to the dealer last August and was told that coolant was empty, it was recharged and worked for the rest of the time I needed it - probably a week. This spring, again it wasn't working (not blowing cold air), so I took it back in. I was told that the suction fitting at the compressor was leaking. The hose/o ring assembly was replaced and the system was recharged. Again it worked when I picked the vehicle up from the shop, but the next time I tried to use the AC (about a week later) it wouldn't get cold. I returned it to the dealer and this time I was told that the problem was an intermittent power relay, which was then replaced. The AC worked when I picked the vehicle up (yesterday), but today, again, stopped getting cold and now only blows warm air. I purchased the vehicle in another state before moving to my current location and it is being serviced under the extended warranty plan. How likely is it that the service department isn't trying very hard because I purchased the vehicle in another state and the work is being performed under the extended warranty plan? Am I just getting the run around? Thanks for your help. I have been having problems with the AC in my 2008 Tribeca for over a year now. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) living here in the PAC NW I don’t use the AC very much, so the problem may have existed for much longer. I took it in to the dealer last August and was told that coolant was empty, it was recharged and worked for the rest of the time I needed it – probably a week. This spring, again it wasn’t working (not blowing cold air), so I took it back in. I was told that the suction fitting at the compressor was leaking. The hose/o ring assembly was replaced and the system was recharged. Again it worked when I picked the vehicle up from the shop, but the next time I tried to use the AC (about a week later) it wouldn’t get cold. I returned it to the dealer and this time I was told that the problem was an intermittent power relay, which was then replaced. The AC worked when I picked the vehicle up (yesterday), but today, again, stopped getting cold and now only blows warm air. I purchased the vehicle in another state before moving to my current location and it is being serviced under the extended warranty plan. How likely is it that the service department isn’t trying very hard because I purchased the vehicle in another state and the work is being performed under the extended warranty plan? Am I just getting the run around? Thanks for your help.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-105232 Justin Stobb Sun, 06 May 2012 16:40:19 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-105232 An Ac service really should be done every couple of years, if its not working now its most likely low or empty due to a leak. You can try adding a can of R134a your self, but if its short lived and you dont have the test equipment, or the ability to diagnose why its not working, its probably better to let someone else have a look. I will add the venting or leaking out R134a is not a good thing. Justin An Ac service really should be done every couple of years, if its not working now its most likely low or empty due to a leak.

You can try adding a can of R134a your self, but if its short lived and you dont have the test equipment, or the ability to diagnose why its not working, its probably better to let someone else have a look. I will add the venting or leaking out R134a is not a good thing.

Justin

]]> By: Davd Johnson http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-105195 Davd Johnson Sat, 05 May 2012 14:38:15 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-105195 I have a 2001 Outback Legacy wagon, base model, 4 cylinder with automatic trans, manual cabin temp controls, 168,000 miles. I am original owner. Never had any AC problems until now. No AC preventative service has ever been done, not even a can of AC gas added. It will not get cold, I don't think the compressor is coming on at all. Blower is fine, blows at all speeds selected. I have noticed that it sometimes will suddenly get cold if I have been driving a while and when that happens I hear a noise like a water draining through a pipe. It comes from the cabin right front footwell, which I guess is where the coils are that the air blows across. It did this just a few times, but seems to have stopped completely from getting cold. I also had a 1985 Subara DL sedan from new until 1993. I remember the AC on this stopped blowing cold suddenly several times and the fix was always to have an electrical relay replaced. Probably happened at least 3 times in 8 years. I have been trying to find if there is a relay on my 2001 for the AC but all I can find is the fuse in the cabin fuse array, which is fine. I am tempted to just add a can of refrigerant to see if it is just low pressure after 11+ years. I used to do this with my dad in the driveway way back. If that doesn't work I will probably just take it to a dealer. I plan to keep the car for while longer for teenage drivers. Thanks for all your posts. David I have a 2001 Outback Legacy wagon, base model, 4 cylinder with automatic trans, manual cabin temp controls, 168,000 miles. I am original owner. Never had any AC problems until now. No AC preventative service has ever been done, not even a can of AC gas added. It will not get cold, I don’t think the compressor is coming on at all. Blower is fine, blows at all speeds selected. I have noticed that it sometimes will suddenly get cold if I have been driving a while and when that happens I hear a noise like a water draining through a pipe. It comes from the cabin right front footwell, which I guess is where the coils are that the air blows across. It did this just a few times, but seems to have stopped completely from getting cold.

I also had a 1985 Subara DL sedan from new until 1993. I remember the AC on this stopped blowing cold suddenly several times and the fix was always to have an electrical relay replaced. Probably happened at least 3 times in 8 years. I have been trying to find if there is a relay on my 2001 for the AC but all I can find is the fuse in the cabin fuse array, which is fine.

I am tempted to just add a can of refrigerant to see if it is just low pressure after 11+ years. I used to do this with my dad in the driveway way back. If that doesn’t work I will probably just take it to a dealer. I plan to keep the car for while longer for teenage drivers.

Thanks for all your posts.

David

]]> By: Ralph http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104939 Ralph Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:46:35 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104939 The air conditioner on my 2004 Legacy 35th Anniversary Wagon did not cool well when it was over 80 degrees, for 5 years. The repair guy couldn't find a problem, system had the right pressure. He suggested he could try adding a half-can of refrigerant, which he did, and it has worked well on the hottest days since (now April, 2012). The air conditioner on my 2004 Legacy 35th Anniversary Wagon did not cool well when it was over 80 degrees, for 5 years. The repair guy couldn’t find a problem, system had the right pressure. He suggested he could try adding a half-can of refrigerant, which he did, and it has worked well on the hottest days since (now April, 2012).

]]> By: Will http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104444 Will Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:06:15 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104444 Thanks I'll start w/ checking the fused Thanks I’ll start w/ checking the fused

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104403 Justin Stobb Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:55:02 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104403 It could be the blower motor/ fan or just a blown fuse plus many other things as well. Its difficult to speculate without information like there is power to the motor but it fails to come on, or there is power but no ground signal. Anotherwords you or someone esle will need to delve into whats the cause of the malfunction. Sorry I cant offer more. Justin It could be the blower motor/ fan or just a blown fuse plus many other things as well.

Its difficult to speculate without information like there is power to the motor but it fails to come on, or there is power but no ground signal. Anotherwords you or someone esle will need to delve into whats the cause of the malfunction.

Sorry I cant offer more.

Justin

]]> By: Will http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104394 Will Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:20:10 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104394 I have a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5, the a/c nor the heating systems blow any at all. Is this a fan issue or something more serious? I have a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5, the a/c nor the heating systems blow any at all. Is this a fan issue or something more serious?

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104170 Justin Stobb Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:14:41 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104170 Hello Michael, You didn't let me know if its a 2004 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder and whether or not it has manual or Automatic climate control. Regardless its not a vacuum issue, its a mode control issue that will need to be diagnosed. If the mode selector is on AC and dash vents and it works and then doesn't there is an intermittent problem with either the mode selector, Body Control Module, climate control module, mode door actuator, wiring etc. There isn't anything I can offer you except to say its very repairable, not a common issue and will need a qualified Subaru Technician to get to the bottom of. Justin Hello Michael,

You didn’t let me know if its a 2004 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder and whether or not it has manual or Automatic climate control.

Regardless its not a vacuum issue, its a mode control issue that will need to be diagnosed. If the mode selector is on AC and dash vents and it works and then doesn’t there is an intermittent problem with either the mode selector, Body Control Module, climate control module, mode door actuator, wiring etc.

There isn’t anything I can offer you except to say its very repairable, not a common issue and will need a qualified Subaru Technician to get to the bottom of.

Justin

]]> By: Michael http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-air-conditioning-explained/#comment-104060 Michael Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:38:30 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=593#comment-104060 I have been a Subaru owner for few years now. Bought my first 2000 Outback in 2002 and just recently traded it and got a 2004 Outback and i am having weird A/C issues in the 2004. The A/C works fine most of the time but on long drives (30 + mins), making no changes to the vent settings or anything, the vents in the system all close. So one mintue with the A/C on full blast I have cold blowing air coming out of my main vents (the 4 accross the front of the car) and the next there is no air coming out of any vents BUT I can still hear the system blowing like crazy it's just blowing in my dash. When it does this, if i press the A/C and turn off the A/C after about a minute or 2 the systems corrects itself it blows correctly but it is still a reoccurring problem. I have taken it to the guy i bought the car from and have even made a video showing what happens and he is very willing to help but he needs to see it happen and of course I can't make it happen when i need it to happen. I am assuming it's some sort of vacuum issue. have you ever seen this? If so how do i need to direct someone to fix it? I have been a Subaru owner for few years now. Bought my first 2000 Outback in 2002 and just recently traded it and got a 2004 Outback and i am having weird A/C issues in the 2004.

The A/C works fine most of the time but on long drives (30 + mins), making no changes to the vent settings or anything, the vents in the system all close. So one mintue with the A/C on full blast I have cold blowing air coming out of my main vents (the 4 accross the front of the car) and the next there is no air coming out of any vents BUT I can still hear the system blowing like crazy it’s just blowing in my dash. When it does this, if i press the A/C and turn off the A/C after about a minute or 2 the systems corrects itself it blows correctly but it is still a reoccurring problem.

I have taken it to the guy i bought the car from and have even made a video showing what happens and he is very willing to help but he needs to see it happen and of course I can’t make it happen when i need it to happen.

I am assuming it’s some sort of vacuum issue. have you ever seen this? If so how do i need to direct someone to fix it?

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