MKO you're awesome! Totally awesome.

Thing is my evaporator reads 41F. Which, if the reading is correct, the system is working. Im just not getting the cold air.

 

Correct. Assuming the compressor had oil in it beyond just a coating for parts. I could bring it to have the AC evacuated with a Robinair machine which usually draws 1-2 ounces of oil and then have them recharge with no oil and see if it cools better.

But why is my evaporator temp sensor reading 41F?

 

I don't know; you said your old evap temp sensor also reported 41 deg F too right? In my case, I have 42 at the evap temp sensor and 43 at the duct (after I fixed my temperature control door). On the other hand, the suction line where I told you to take a temp reading (see previous thermal image), was 114F (41 at evap temp sensor) on your car and 76F (42 at evap temp sensor) on mine. So something is wrong here. Either your evap temp sensor is reporting an incorrect temperature or that Chinese temp gun you have is defective.

The only thing I can think of is there is something wrong inside the plenum, but you have already crimped the heater core inlet and outlet lines and that didn't make any difference. So the temperature rise between the evap coil and the duct discharge is a mystery.

 

No, I never thought to use the scanner to check for an evaporator temperature because I didnt know such a sensor existed in this car so I never looked for that option. I SURE WISH I HAD.

I also suspected its too much oil. BUT why is the evaporator reading 41F?! Can I trust that reading?

 

Now I'm confused. You didn't know the scanner the evap temperature sensor existed? You've posted a picture of it.

The evap temp sensor reports to the IHKA module (IHKS in my car). You can pull that PID on any good scanner with a live data feature, and you have posted pictures of it. Yes you can trust the reading.

With the car not running, and hot inside, plug in your scanner and pull up the evap temp sensor (if in doubt, check out the video I posted again 3 min 50 sec mark). The evap temp should be very close to the ambient air temp. If it says 41 on a hot car with the engine/AC off, you have a problem!

Next, start the car & turn on the AC to max fan, max cold, and watch that PID. The temperature should drop rapidly. I see a drop of 20 Deg F before I get to the end of the driveway (I have a long driveway).

 

Before I swapped all the components, when the old compressor/condenser/expansion valve/drier were installed, I didnt know I could use the software to look at the evapo temp sensor. Had I know, I would have checked it. With all these new parts installed Im getting 41F at the evaporator. IF that's accurate than my issue isnt the AC system but rather hot air mixing.

GOOD IDEA! Im gonna do that tonight.

You want me to make things even more confusing? When I blocked/pinched off the hoses to the heater core, I was still getting 60F at the vents. Does this all make any sense? nope.

 

Check out this email I just received from from Janet T. at SANDEN customer service:

Hello:

I reached out to our overseas office and this was his message.

“please tell the customer the compressor comes with 135cc oil from the factory.

if they try to remove the oil obviously not all 135cc will come out as the inside of the compressor is coated in the oil etc. they should follow best practice for compressor installment and oil calculation “

"Growth is Never by mere chance; it is the result of teams working together."




135cc = 4.56 ouces! No wonder I couldn't get more than 3.5 ounces into the compressor. It kept spilling out because it was already full.

If this thing really came with 135cc ounces in it I have at least 2.5-3 ounces too much in the system.

 

So what is your evaporator temperature sensor reporting when the car is hot, engine/AC off?

 

87F AC off. It claims 41 F. Obviously I cannot trust that reading. Also claims 49.5 F at vents. ok so I know I cannot trust Autoenginuity for this info.

 

How are you getting the 87 deg F reading if the scanner shows 41?

 

I was not getting an 87 F reading. That was the outdoor temp as shown on my phone and on the information screen of the tachometer.

 

So the scanner was showing an evaporator temperature of 41 deg F, with the engine off? There's something wrong there! Do you have access to another diagnostic scanner to read the evaporator temp sensor?

 

Yes Sir. I have a troubleshooting ticket out with AutoEnginuity. Clearly, something is wrong with the software or the car!

I do not have access to another scanner. I wish.

During the week Im going back to a local shop with a Robinair machine to have them pull 2-3 ounces of PAG oil from the system as they evacuate the system. The Robinair machine has a reservoir on the front that shows how much has been removed when it pulls a a vacuum. Im gonna have them pull 3 oz if possible and see if the AC starts to blow cold.

 

Lex, check out this post. Scroll down to the end. Very similar to your issue.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ting-help.html

Mark

 

OH WOW. Thanks. The notification went into my SPAM box. Hence the delay in responding.

BTW we took an additional 1.8-2 ounces out of the system (its still likely has 1 oz too much but Ill never know for sure) and ZERO improvement. Nothing. Same 58-60 F temps.

 

Lex, have you tried using a different thermometer at the vent? I was using a low priced digital probe, and I was reading 43-45 at the vent; when I installed my expensive Fluke meter (I suspect it needs to be calibrated), I was reading 55 deg F.

 

Well, the shop with Robinair machine put their own thermometer in the vent and they got the same 58-60F.