air conditioner not working, makes hissing noise

[Chammy]

My air conditioner in my Venture is not working. Had it off for the whole winter and barely turned it on, the only thing that came out was hot air and a hissing noise from the engine. WHen I turn off the A/C the noise stops. Now after a few weeks of this, I turned it on and there is no noise and no A/C. Any suggestions before I take my van to the shop?

[GregA]

Originally Posted by Chammy

My air conditioner in my Venture is not working. Had it off for the whole winter and barely turned it on, the only thing that came out was hot air and a hissing noise from the engine. WHen I turn off the A/C the noise stops. Now after a few weeks of this, I turned it on and there is no noise and no A/C. Any suggestions before I take my van to the shop?

Welcome to the forum!

You didn't mention the model year of your van.

Anyway, is sounds like the refrigerant may have leaked out (hissing noise). I have a 2001 where a crack developed in the condenser where it mounts to the front of the van. It seems there was a problem with the design. You can read about what it took to fix it here. Hopefully, you are not in the same situation.

Let us know what you find.

Take Care,

[Chammy]

Hmm, I didnt think of that.

I'm sorry, the year of the van is 2002 Venture.

Thanks , I will check your site out now. I live in the desert and I'm going to need it soon. I'm checking now.

[jrdwyer]

After inspecting the condenser for leaks, also take a look at the compressor. Our 2001 Olds Silo with the Mitsubishi scroll compressor failed about 6-8 months after the condenser was replaced under warranty. The main head seals of the compressor were leaking and the green dye in the refrigerate/lubricant was clearly visible, just like with the condenser crack.

[Chammy]

Well , my girl freind took it to a dealer, (this is after my brother in law checked it out also) he also said as GregA said it might have been the condensor and it was, well just to get a 2nd opinion, the dealer told my girl freind the van needed the the compressor, condensor and motor replaced and would cost upwards of about $2,000. Sweet Jesus!! I siad hell no! She took the van to a dealer she got the van from , they are family freinds, they said it just needed some freon and that the condensor was cracked and would only cost about a few hundred dollars. They put some freon and the A/C works fine though, they said the condensor needs changing. So she called the first dealer she took the van to and told them off. Man, who can you trust anymore.?

[GregA]

Originally Posted by Chammy

... She took the van to a dealer she got the van from , they are family freinds, they said it just needed some freon and that the condensor was cracked and would only cost about a few hundred dollars. They put some freon and the A/C works fine though, they said the condensor needs changing. So she called the first dealer she took the van to and told them off. Man, who can you trust anymore.?

Stick with the family friends!

Hopefully the put dye in when they recharged it. If the A/C works for a few days/weeks and then quits, check around that spot on my site. That would reconfirm the problem.

By the way, the dealer should have a TSB about replacing the condenser. The new condenser removes one of the mounts so it doesn't stress at that point.

Take Care,