It's my fault......

I swear it really sucks when you help someone out with their vehicle and then everything that goes wrong with their car from that point on, even 6 months later, is related to the time you fixed something totally unrelated before. So, I need help from those who know their A/C's.
I fixed an overheating issue on this girls car (2000 Grand Prix) about 6 months ago, and no her A/C quit working as a result of (in her mid anyway). Did her A/C work after I worked on it? Yes. Has she been using the A/C recently? Yes. Is it still my fault? She thinks so. The only reason I'm still willing to help troubleshoot her problem is because she is a good friend. So here's the problem:

Blows air, but not cold, no change in temp from vent to A/C, it has freon (real close to full), compressor does come on, head unit was changed. head unit recently replaced (new); thus the cwitches/controls work properly, linkage (cables) are all conected and adjusted (someone else's work- not mine but I'm taking their word for it.

For the record, I work a body shop and am very mechanically inclined. So I have eliminated the obvious stuff already. Also, I understand A/C units/comonts/work is a different class itself. Thus I can only diagnose the basics listed above.

Anyone out there have any GOOD suggestions or theoriies? Your input would be very appreciated. (vehicle = '00 GrandPrix)

I swear it really sucks when you help someone out with their vehicle and then everything that goes wrong with their car from that point on, even 6 months later, is related to the time you fixed something totally unrelated before. So, I need help from those who know their A/C's.
I fixed an overheating issue on this girls car (2000 Grand Prix) about 6 months ago, and no her A/C quit working as a result of (in her mid anyway). Did her A/C work after I worked on it? Yes. Has she been using the A/C recently? Yes. Is it still my fault? She thinks so. The only reason I'm still willing to help troubleshoot her problem is because she is a good friend. So here's the problem:

Blows air, but not cold, no change in temp from vent to A/C, it has freon (real close to full), compressor does come on, head unit was changed. head unit recently replaced (new); thus the cwitches/controls work properly, linkage (cables) are all conected and adjusted (someone else's work- not mine but I'm taking their word for it.

For the record, I work a body shop and am very mechanically inclined. So I have eliminated the obvious stuff already. Also, I understand A/C units/comonts/work is a different class itself. Thus I can only diagnose the basics listed above.

Anyone out there have any GOOD suggestions or theoriies? Your input would be very appreciated. (vehicle = '00 GrandPrix)




















DT


Well that's what you get for being a nice guy. You should know if you fixed it, no matter how long ago, you have to fix everything else that goes wrong with it.
Tell her to blow it out her ---. She's nuts. That's like saying if you washed her car, you have to repaint it 10 years later.

Good luck

Dont have an answer for ya, but if you find out whats wrong let me know. My car is doing the same thing.

Does she have Digital Daul climate controls or the analog knobs??

You know, I just went thru all 4 manuals (GM service manuals). They have 25 pages on how to adjust seat belts. 16 pages of elec. hook ups to check power on the 3.1 GP's. But not a thing on troble shooting A/C. Time for some more books.
Sorry.

A/C units are a whole different ball game. Did your books say something like ".....take it to a Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) trained and EPA certified trained technician......"

It's as if our repair manuals have to be regulated by the federal government now. Since A/C's use freon, the damn EPA won't give any information in a repair manual now. What a bunch of haters. That's why I asked around on here.

And kustomkid, you are absolutely right, I shouldn't have been nice and helped her in the first place. Then her car would only have 5000 miles on it, no dents/scratches, still have that new car smell, Service Engine Soon Light wouldn't exist, correct air pressure in tires, and of course the A/C would be like a freezer. But I screwed that all up once I fixed the overheating issue caused by someone (like a female driver) who mixed pink and green antifreeze. I mean, I even screwed up equal tire pressure, and even the radio staions she like don't come in now.

Let this be a lesson kid (Mr. Kustom)

Life is a bitch, and then you marry one.

When A/C mode is selected, the ac control head or the ac programmer supplies a 12volt signal to the pcm ac request input. The ac compressor clutch relay is controlled by the pcm. The pcm provides a ground path for ac relay coil. When the ac compressor relay is engaged battery boltage is supplied to the comrpessor clutch coil. The pcm will enable the ac comrpessor clutch whever the engine is running and the ac has been requested unless one or more of the following conditions are presetn

throttle angle si greater then 96 %
ac head pressure is greater then 440 psi (4.6 volts) or less then 32 psi (.o3 volts) as determind by the ac refrigerant pressure sensor.
ingnition 1 voltage is below 10 volts
Engine speed is greater then 4392 rpm for less then a second
Engine speed is greater then 4400 rpm for any amount of time
ECT si great then 255 deg f
IAT is less then 41 deg f

> ambient air temp above 41 deg f
> ac pressure above .3 volts (32 C)
> coolant temp below 250 deg f

1. ac selector off
2. ignition on, engine off
3. listen for engagement of ac clutch
Is the ac clutch engage?
Yes goto step 24
No go to step 4

A/C units are a whole different ball game. Did your books say something like ".....take it to a Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) trained and EPA certified trained technician......"

It's as if our repair manuals have to be regulated by the federal government now. Since A/C's use freon, the damn EPA won't give any information in a repair manual now. What a bunch of haters. That's why I asked around on here.

And kustomkid, you are absolutely right, I shouldn't have been nice and helped her in the first place. Then her car would only have 5000 miles on it, no dents/scratches, still have that new car smell, Service Engine Soon Light wouldn't exist, correct air pressure in tires, and of course the A/C would be like a freezer. But I screwed that all up once I fixed the overheating issue caused by someone (like a female driver) who mixed pink and green antifreeze. I mean, I even screwed up equal tire pressure, and even the radio staions she like don't come in now.

Let this be a lesson kid (Mr. Kustom)


These are the "GM Authentic Technical Service Information Manuals" 4 book set. Same ones the dealers use.
You know I just went thru the 1997 GP service manual that I have, has 9 chapters on A/C. All on PDF files. How much did they change in three years?

step 4:

1.start engine
2. select ac mode
3. observe ac compressor

is the ac compressor clutch engaged
If yes then refer to diagnostic aids
if No go to step 5 >>> requires scan tool
..................................

step 24 requires a scan tool to monitor A/C request

Tim,
I think you have the same manuals that I have. These?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7976449084&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

if u have them in pdf then why the hell am i coping this from the manual?

Thanks for the knowledge ripin. You must know what its like to be a nice guy, huh?! Bad thing is this girl is strictly just a friend to me. So I essential don't get any satisfaction by helping her out. However, I did get gratification fixing her car and knowing she wouldn't brake down due to an overheating issue when she had to make a 750 mile trip out of state. If you don't mind ripin, could you please define ECT and IAT. Actually just what theey stand for would be sufice. And thanx again for the knowledge.

if u have them in pdf then why the hell am i coping this from the manual?

I have the ones for the 1997, on disc.

Ripin, as far as your ? regarding digital dual climate control or analog knobs, I believe (90% sure) she has analog knobs. That means basic fan speed switch, cold to hot temp switch, and vent selection switch correct?

ECT = engine coolant temp

IAT = intake air temp

never did answer my question. electronic HVAC controls or knobs. this could be a simple solution if she has electronic

hey kid (Mr. Kustom), I don't know for sure how much different these vehicles changed between '97 to '00, however, I believe any info on a '97 for the AC system will be almost if not completely identical to the '00. When did the body styles change? was it '00 or '01? If '00, she must have an early '00 cause hers resemblems a '97 body style

ok, sometimes on the digital units the ambient air temp sensor gets shorted out. if it stops working there is a little "stick figure" icon that flashes, and the pcm thinks that is below 50 or some shit and wont turn the a/c on.

chekc on the passenger side of the car, infront of the radiator and see if her car has the sensor there. could be as simple as that.

As for my car im sure is something stupid. going to the track friday night to race in 100 deg heat and ill swap my cya pcm for my dhp and see if that solves my problem. hell is the 2.8 pulley blows the car up i wont have to worry bout the ac not working

body style is the same 97-03 changed in 04 and ya post the pdfs for this guy

Ripin, please read frst post on 2nd page. I must say between you and the kid (a.k.a. Mr. Kustom), you guys rule. I appreciete the help. Hopefully I can show this chick that I was right, as always, with the info ya'll have provided

Ripin, please read frst post on 2nd page. I must say between you and the kid (a.k.a. Mr. Kustom), you guys rule. I appreciete the help. Hopefully I can show this chick that I was right, as always, with the info ya'll have provided

Tim,
If you like I will send you a copy of the disc.

Email me your address and I'll send it out on Monday when I go to Post Office.

Just make sure to donkey punch her for me after you fix the car. ;)

dude I appreciate the offer and all but seeing as how I mysalf would not be servicing her vehicle since she lives about 2 hours away, the disk wouldn't do me a whole lotta good. I just gotoff the phone with her and explained some things to her and I think she is convinced that ...It AINT my freakin fault one of the radio presets got changed yesterday, although the last time I've even seen or touched her ride was about 3 months ago. Oh yeah, and it aint my fault the ac all of the sudden decided to not work either. But thanks for the help.

Trust no b^*&#

would you like photos as well ripin? I'll be selling them online for $5.99 (plus shipping & handling) but will send you a complementary set for free (just pay shipping and handling plus 25% markup). Consider it my gift to you for your efforts! But wait!! Order now and I'll even throw in the video (a $19.99 value) from the whole evening free of charge!!

Thanks for the knowledge ripin. You must know what its like to be a nice guy, huh?! Bad thing is this girl is strictly just a friend to me. So I essential don't get any satisfaction by helping her out. However, I did get gratification fixing her car and knowing she wouldn't brake down due to an overheating issue when she had to make a 750 mile trip out of state. If you don't mind ripin, could you please define ECT and IAT. Actually just what theey stand for would be sufice. And thanx again for the knowledge.

Something I guess I'll never understand,your nice to them and they don't want nothing to do with you?
Maybe some times thats a good thing.hopefully she lets you play with her friends.

I got nailed the other day for failing to stop for police they finely got me after about twenty miles.
My wife left me for a cop and I thought they were trying to bring her back.

And thats about all the help I can offer with A/C.
.
.

Something I guess I'll never understand,your nice to them and they don't want nothing to do with you?
Maybe some times thats a good thing.hopefully she lets you play with her friends.

I got nailed the other day for failing to stop for police they finely got me after about twenty miles.
My wife left me for a cop and I thought they were trying to bring her back.

And thats about all the help I can offer with A/C.
.
.

LOL that sucks man.. 20 miles??

as for the AC.. well im not too sure on Car ACs.. but in general if the compressor's running and the fan is running correctly but no cold air i'd have to go with a leak in the coils or pipes somewhere (since you said you charged it, it could have slowly leaked out explaining why it was fine after you worked on it) also possibly the expansion valve (or whatever the hell it is in there) could be faulty causing liquid to run thru the coils and not expand into gas. compressors are the things that usually go bad in ACs but im pretty sure when they die they stop working.
looks like you got your point across to her tho. sucks but no good deed goes unpunished. good luck