So if you set the temperature all the way to low does it blow cold then? And how do you know the refrigerant isn't low? (Hint: the right answer isn't that it was checked with gauges)

 

Thank you for answering! I have been swamped at work, so am tardy in responding.
The mechanic told me he tested the Freon and it was fine. WHAT should he do to test the Freon properly??? So I can do BS detection when he tells me!!!
The AC blows cold no matter the temperature is set at AT FIRST( low, 62, 65) and then after 10 min or so the smell of the interior car changes to stale-ish, followed by blowing humid cool air, and then it fizzles out. (My daughter has been driving the car, but I rode in it with her today and got the blow-by-blow)

 

Hi, I’ve got a 2015 ex-l, live in Phoenix, and had a 2-3 year bad ac experience. We ended up having the condenser and compressor replaced this summer by an independent shop and it got worse. We bit the bullet and let the dealership do a diagnostic for a week for a few hundred bucks; my description of the issues felt like something from cartalk with noises, ac stopping in 118 degree hear with my kids in the car, etc. The end result was twofold- 1. Radiator wasn’t working properly, and 2. Shop had installed an aftermarket condenser that was thinner than original part, so combination of radiator not working properly and poor condenser meant really poor ac functionality unless the car was in constant motion. We had this all replaced and at both idle and regular driving in temps upwards of 120, the car has been delightful. we also went back to the original shop, it wouldn’t issue a refund, so I contested the charge with my bank, presented the invoices from the dealership repair and the bank reversed the charge from the original shop. The original shop itself had performed a diagnosis and only looked at the ac; we even had a guy tell me after the repair that I should be pouring water on the condenser every time I go to drive the car. I spent a lot of time on these forums, and nobody had connected the radiator issues to the ac, so don’t overlook that angle. In my case, it’s likely that the radiator was the issue all along given some other issues where the ac appeared to stop on its own, when in fact it was the car unable to cool properly. I hope you’re able to figure yours out in less time and pain than mine took!

Hi! My AC only works intermittently--it vigorously blows air and the Freon is not low. The mechanic changed out the AC clutch, and it worked for while, but... I have noticed the following: Sometimes it will work in the morning (I'm in New Orleans), and then poop out and blow hot humid air Sometimes it will work if you do NOT touch the temperature dials, but then again some days may poop out after 10 minutes and blow hot humid air If you change the temperature, it will switch to blowing hot humid air. Rarely it will work again if you turn it off for 5 minutes and turn it back on (that was on the interstate after driving for 2 hours and we were still 2 hours away from home, so we were happy). Of course the last few times I took it to my mechanic, it blew cool air. A friend with a 2007 Ody just left it on low and let it blow cold air and passengers just turned the vent away from their face. She could turn hers on and off, just DO NOT change the temperature, and she drove it that way until 220,000 miles when she sold the car. But mine won't always stay cold ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT I DO NOW???? All I can say is that at least it is now nearing the end of September... Thank you so much!!!

 

THANKS, I am printing all these off. I like my mechanic, and all these will give him some possibilities to consider. and I appreciate your detailed story of woe. From being on this forum, I always ask for the better after-market or OEM parts. I feel for you in Phoenix!! No AC is a killer.

 

What is your dash engine temp gauge reading when the AC goes hot?
Reason being is that if it not too high, then the problem is most likely not the radiator or condenser fins being clogged with bugs, plastic wrap etc.

Overall , it almost sounds like your evaporator is freezing up. If so, that usually means low refrigerant.
If it freezes and then you turn it off for 5-10 min the ice will usually melt and then it will work again until it ices up again.
Low refrigerant can cause way too cold a temp in the evaporator and this causes humid air to freeze and clog up the external fins. If it's working properly, the humid air will just cause condensation to form which drips down and out the drain hole and also dehumidifies the cooled air.
Still, taking it to a good AC shop to get it checked for leaks, evacuated properly and refilled with the proper amt of refrigerant and oil would probably fix it.
Just my thoughts.
Buffalo4

 

Yes, the engine thermostat never seems to rise above the midline mark. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help!!!

 

OP, if it makes you feel better, my 2011 Touring does all the same nonsense yours does. I feel your pain.

I have read here that low refrigerant can cause this. Perhaps. I can tell you this: in my case, it is not the evaporator freezing because the behavior is random right from the turn of the key. Sometimes ice cold, sometimes tepid. There isn't enough time for it to freeze up. Since yours goes tepid or warm after 10 minutes, it could be your evap is freezing which is usually low refrigerant.

I have also read that 2011 is a year that they made A/C "too smart for their own good." It has all these sensors (sun, humidity, temp, latitude). Mine will blow tepid when hot, then it blows ice cold even when A/C is off, because it thinks my windshield will fog on a slightly humid day. (2011 Climate Control System A/C turns on for no reason) Apparently they changed the programming for the better in following years.

Since I use this as a work van, I can live with it. I understand how you may want it fixed if you carry a lot of passengers.

 

This is especially useful info and thanks for the link!!!!! Thank all you guys for your time and expertise!

 

The AC blows cold no matter the temperature is set at AT FIRST( low, 62, 65) and then after 10 min or so the smell of the interior car changes to stale-ish, followed by blowing humid cool air, and then it fizzles out.

Classic low-refrigerant symptoms. The slow deterioration is the AC system freezing over. The system needs to be evacuated and recharged, not just checking pressures.

-Charlie

 

Frustrating that every post after the first here misses the most important detail The OP states it is an intermittent problem...Sometimes the drivers side air is perfect. sometimes it's not. The key take away is that the Van is capable of providing cold air everywhere intermittently. makes no matter what the temp is outside. Hotter than hell and it works, hotter than hell it doesn't work...average heat it works, average heat it doesn't work. I have this exact issue with a 2013 Odyssey. Based upon the two facts that the drivers side intermittently can provide icy cold air when it's very hot and just average hot like 80 degrees it can provide icy cold or no cold intermittently. This leads me to believe It is not a low freon thing or a compressor thing or a clutch or condenser thing because if it was it would not be intermittent icy cold / not icy cold out of just the drivers side vent..Yes low freon can cause the drivers side vent to be warm but it will not be intermittent when it's hotter than haides...it would always not be cold when it is really hot...This is not the case ...I suspect it drills down the vent control actuator or the internal flaps that the actuator moves. That is the rabbit hole I'm going down. I'll come back and post my findings.

 

you missed a malfunctioning expansion valve in your diatribe.

 

A few weeks ago my 2012 at 187,000mi started showing signs of low refrigerant as the AC blows cold air for maybe 5 mins then warm for maybe 5 mins then cold back and forth. Comp clutch kicks on when it blows cold and kicks off when blows warm air. Getting annual inspection in few weeks and they are going to look at it and hopefully all it'll need is vacuumed and recharged. Wish me luck.