Hey all,

this past weekend was the hottest of the year so far for us, yesterday was 33deg C. had to park the runner and take the Matrix cuz the 4R wasn't blowing cold air. it was cool...er but it definately wasn't COLD like a/c should be...so, needless to say the stealer will be getting a call cuz I haven't even had it for a month yet and was told everything was looked over before I bought it. Anyway, any thoughts on why it's not working properly? I'm thinking thermostat or it needs a recharge but not sure, never had any problems with a/c in my other rides...

Check internal temp sensor under the dash near your feet- little vent hole in lower console under right side of steering wheel. Make sure it's connected and the sensor is in the hole.
You could drop the panel also to check it. - 4 bolts and pull.

Is it a new 4R or did you buy a used one? My A/C stopped working after I had a remote starter/security system installed. What happened is when you take the lower dash cover off under the steering wheel ect they need to uplug the thermostat and they forgot to plug it back in. If you look down by your right leg you will see the little slits where the temperature gauge is getting the reading. So if you have had anything installed recently that required taking apart the lower covers this may be the problem it is simply unplugged. Something to check, good luck.

many thanks Bucky and Wolf!!!! I had the panel off when I installed the Piaa's but was sure I put everything back where it was supposed to be...that said, I also had a new head unit installed recently (after the Piaa's) and it wouldn't suprise me if they forgot to reconnect this cuz I found little tools and such beside the seat etc when i picked it up. This would also explain why it would sort of kick in (still not really cold) and then off again on the highway...I'll take a look tonight when I get home and post the results...man I love this site!!! Always somebody willing to help out...thanks again guys!!!

no problem, I think Wolf and I were typing at the same time and we came to the same conclusion, I am sure this is what you had happen. For me the fan speed would change but the air blowing was always the same temp. should be a quick fix, may have to take off cover as it is hard to reach up behind there to reconnect, but you should see a dangling connector just waiting to be reconnected to the cover.

Yup, same with me...we could change the fan speed but the air temp was always the same...sounds like a simple enough fix, pheeew! thanks again...

well guys, this doesn't appear to be the problem...everything looked to be in the right place, should I unplug and retry it? is there anyway to test the sensor itself? any other suggestions? sorry for all the questions but I'd rather fix this in the driveway then have to take it to the stealer...thanks again...

hmm, not sure, I had them reconnect mine at the dealer when I was getting an oil change, so I am not sure if they had to disconnect the battery to reset the computer control/ a/c unit to read off the plugged in temp sensor. I would think it would be plug and play. If it was plugged in there I would think trying to unplug it and plug it back in, make sure it is connected correctly and seated fully wouldn't hurt to try.

I am not sure how to test the sensor it self, maybe someone else here can jump on that question.

When I took mine into the stealer I knew it was because that thing was not plugged in, I just played dumb and said I think the thermostat came unplugged. I failed to mention I had the cover off to install the PIAA lights and the remote starter. I can't imagine they would give you too much hassel since it is an 08 if you took it in. Could be a bad compressor.

I'll unplug and plug it in and see if that works, if not I'll disconnect the battery and reset but hopefully it doesn't come to that cuz its a pain to reset everything...if that doesn't work I'll take it in but its an 03 not an 08 but that shouldn't matter since I bought it a month ago...thanks again bucky!

If it's an 03 you just may need a re charge .

ya that was one of my original thoughts, that and maybe the thermostat needs replacing. I should check to see how well the heater works too, that may give me a better idea as to whats wrong. I remember changing the thermostat in a few older vehicles, cheap and easy, one part, pop out the old and in with the new...are our runners the same or is it more complicated now?

Does it blow cold air if you take the unit off auto and drop the temperature to lo?

no not really, it doesn't change whether its on auto or not...I have the temp set at low and tried both manual and auto and no change... I didn't get a chance to check it yesterday but will try to tonight...thanks for your reply Mark...

Being an '03 and your not having any other issues and it wasn't the sensor being unplugged ... Check the wiring to the sensor because it could get abused by the person who did your install and bring it back to them if any wires got damaged. Otherwise I'd look for a junkyard where you could snag another sensor and swap to see if that was really the cause. Last I would consider Falls solution of a re-charge- I would take it to someone other than the steeler as most shops can handle A/C probs.

just a side note: I noticed a change in the A/C power on mine and realized the rear vents were open when I usually have em closed

Hi Wolf,

thanks for the awesome reply bud...a couple questions though...what all will I have to take apart to check this? will I have to remove the entire console or just the panel the sensor is on? when I had the panel off before I noticed that the sensor wire(s) had a plastic sleeve on it which seemed to go in behind the head unit. Also, short of there being visual damage how else would I check to see if its damaged? One more question (sorry), with the rear vent issue you mentioned, did you notice a change in temperature or just the actual power/airflow coming out the front vents? if it turns out that it needs a recharge I will be taking it to the stealer because they assured me that everything was inspected and fixed (if needed) before I bought it ( 1mth+ago)so there is no way I'm paying for it to be done. thanks again Wolf!