I have a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. Today was the first really warm day, and when I switched on the AC the driver side vents were blowing really warm air and the rest of the vents were blowing cooler but not cold air. What are the usual suspects to get checked? I'm due for radiator and tranny flush - could that be involved?

Thanks!

 

Not likely......

If there is an extreme difference in temp between driver and passenger, I would suspect a problem in the "DUAL ZONE" controls. A perfect tell tale would be ...If the truck is equipped with rear A/C.....Test the temperature in the rear with the drivers side control at full cold.....The rear is designed to mimic the driver front settings. If you can produce cool air in the rear, suspect the control system. If not, you have likely lost some of the freon charge over the winter , and should have the vehicle professionally checked.

I will probably catch the wrath for this, but I personally dont feel that A/C is a Do it yourself Task. An inexperienced or un knowledgeable DIY'er, can easily be severely injured by any Task involved in A/c work. I recently saw someone Overcharge a system with one of the commercially available recharge kits, and the can exploded in his hand. Just food for thought.

 

Probably just a low freon in system, but where does it go?. Typical Chrysler minivan Evaporator coil leaks. I'd check the system for low on freon first, if that the case, I'd recharge the system and add some dye tracer in the system.

 

Thanks for the input. FYI, the only thing I consider DIY about this task is becoming informed before going to the shop!

 

i have most respect to unclediesel. and lord save me from bashing him, he's bigger than i am.
but... i have recharged a/c so many times and on so many cars, that i lost track. the worst ever happened to me was to
1. overcharge the system and it quit working, so it had to be bled to go back to life again
2. got frost bite once or twice from freon spilled on skin, so learned to do it in gloves
3. had can of freon with the sealing cap that twisted from attaching charging piece and leaked freon.
that's it.

ohh, and, also, due to driver side pedals built into the firewall and such, air ducts are asymmetrical, and blower is always on the passenger side. thus, ducts towards driver are longer, thus air comes out of them at different temp. i'd suspect low freon. does your compressor kick in at all?

 

charging ac systems is better left to pros...when the potential outcome is frostbite or ruining the job and having to do it twice.

overcharging is dangerous...so is frostbite. i wouldn't risk it...

 

Belive me just trust the pro's on the A/C system they are very touchy to work on even thru my self i am cerified to work on some of the A/C system but rather to be on safe side just take it to the pro.

they will able pinpoint the curpit better and safer this way.

and they have proper equmient to able recharge the system and also with leak detector on it.

Merci,Marc