A/C trouble

[buckeye1872]

I got the problem of passenger side cold/driver side warm with the A/C. Its a 2000 GTP, 29,000 miles, w/ auto duel climate control. Just had freon charged but still have problem. Where would be best place to start to try to fix it. Thx

[richtazz]

Welcome to AF

Since you have the dual climate, it's possible the driver's side temp actuator is bad. Since they are electrical, they are kinda hard to test for the DIY. The first step is to check for debris in the HVAC system. GP's didn't come factory with a cabin air filter, but they do have the spot for it. If you find debris, you can go to the parts store and ask for one for a similar year Buick Regal (same heater box, but Regal's came with them factory)

[buckeye1872]

thx for reply

I know from where I park my car in drive that debri could be culprit. I found couple small leaves in blower box. Is there a place where I should check for more debri or is this a shop job(need to take out dash?). Is the drivers side actuator reachable without taking dash out? thx

[SassyMotorhead]

I am having the problems but my driver's side wasn't blowing air at all, but the passenger side was and it was cool air. I found an AC/Heat control panel on ebay and have purchased it, I will let you know if this fixes my problem.

[richtazz]

It's mounted on the drivers side of the center console kinda high up in the dash. I have never attempted to reach one, so it may be difficult to get your arm to.

[buckeye1872]

Finally getting into this issue. This is what i found out so far. I took the kick panel off as in the tip and maint. section. I also had to take off the steering wheel kick plate. I can see the actuator. When i adjust the temp I can see the actuator moving. So im going to replace the temp sensor for driver side while i got it tore apart. One thing I did find was the hose that connects to the elbo, that has the temp sensor on it, was disconnected. Im going to change sensor and reconnect hose. My new question is, does anybody know what the hose goes to? Also, could the sensor be bad even tho no code showes up? I disconnected sensor and got a code 102 (inside air temp sensor open). thanks

[buckeye1872]

Replace inside temp sensor, still have problem. Would the ambient air temp sensor not reading correctly cause this problem? When it was 90 degrees out the display would say 72. I ordered new sensor.

[buckeye1872]

replaced temp sensor....still have problem! Would dealer be able to check if head unit is the problem or is this a replace and see issue?

[buckeye1872]

Update.. I have changed driverside temp sensor, outside temp sensor, verified actuator is working, switched out climate control unit and it is still holding a charge. So now I am going to take it to a shop. Does this ACC have the orifice tube that I have read about? Just looking for something to have them look for. Any ideas?

[buckeye1872]

question= the small tube going into firewall is cold, the larger one is warm. I was told it should be the other way around. If so, any idea what would be causing this?

[tblake]

You have to bring it to a qualified AC repair shop and have them watch pressures as the compresser cycles off and on.

[buckeye1872]

Took car to shop today. They said it just needed more freon. It is blowing out freezing!!!!! Both sides!!!! I had it charged @ Valvoline couple months ago, but even after that, it blew out semi cold on drivers side but not no where close to how cold it is blowing out now. That is when I started tearing car apart . They let it run for an hour and I have drove around freezing my, you know what off. Could it have been vapor locked or just not filled full?
I guess it was a good learning experiment if anything. I learned to tear dash apart, locate and remove actuator, driverside temp sensor, outside temp sensor, and ACC unit swap, LOL. Thanks for your help and I will update if it stays working properly or not.