A/C Hot on drivers side!

[RPS13]

I haven't noticed this in every car, but a lot of our Camry's and some other models tend to have this quirk when the refrigerant is low. I would have the system checked for state of charge then test for leaks and recharge the system and you'll probably good to go.

All BMWs I have experience with (E36, E46, E53, E39 etc.) do this, as do older Nissan Altimas and Sentras (early-late 90's models at least).

I think it's that manufacturers typically dump freon on the far side of the evaporator coil, which also directs air to the passenger side. Makes sense to have the cold liquid line running in the airstream just to help make sure it flashes in cooler conditions (mitigation of slugging a compressor is a large design factor in HVAC design).

 

[genest1417]

Is your Freon low? When I had the problem I checked and reset the fuse in the engine compartment but it wasn't it, it was the evaporator coil. Not a fun problem to fix. Had a buddy inject dye with the Freon and then we noticed that dye was coming out the drain tube for the AC. I am not a mechanic but my two cents...

 

[longobongo]

I had the Freon charged about 2-3 months ago. Is it normal for the Freon to be finished that fast? If my freon charge is low, does that mean I have a leak? Note: The temperatures where I am at is like 130 degrees F daily.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

No it is not normal for refrigerant to leak out that fast.

 

[longobongo]

No it is not normal for refrigerant to leak out that fast.

So I finally got back from vacation and brought it to the garage... they filled up the refrigerant and now its cold again on both sides....
Guess I will wait a week or two and feel if it keeps cold. If it gets hot again... definitely a freon leak??

I think at this point, a broken mixer servo/door is ruled out since refilling the freon worked to get it cold again right?

 

[earthrealm]

ok cool..i have the same problem...will try filling up with freon......hope the car doesnt hv a leak..bought it used oct 2012....i hv read of cases where folks sold their trucks cos of leaking evaporator since its a $2k+ job

 

[longobongo]

ok cool..i have the same problem...will try filling up with freon......hope the car doesnt hv a leak..bought it used oct 2012....i hv read of cases where folks sold their trucks cos of leaking evaporator since its a $2k+ job

Yeah, mine is still cold after 4 months... soo it was really just strange why it stopped... weird... but fill it up and hope it stays cold. :yo:

 

[earthrealm]

updaate:: topped it up with freon in dec 13, n now the problem has resurfaced...some days, only the inner passsenger side blows cold air.m suspecting leak will refill it again n see

but sometimes in mine, even aaat high fan settings....the air coming out of the vents will be low not coming out with force aaas it shud

 

[Michael M]

So I purchased a 2006 Limited this week. We looked up the service records and found a skelaton in the closet regarding this weird AC phenomenon. Looks like at 91,000 miles in 2011, the previous owner started to attempt to solve. See image below:

6/20/11

Then, just a few weeks later on 7/5/11, the previous owner checks in for a recharge:

So it looks like perhaps the previous owner turned down the $2000 replacement of the air box and went with a pound of freon instead. There isn't anything else on the service history after that regarding the AC.

Bad news is I noticed the far left vent producing a very noticeable difference in temperature yesterday. Its not hot yet in Chicago. But when it gets here, I'll be checking the freon levels first. Fingers crossed.

 

[momo.75]

I had this issue last summer. I took it to the shop, they recharged the system and checked for leaks. They didn't find any. It was good until a couple of weeks ago when it started blowing warm out of the two driver side vents but very cold on the right side. I took it to a shop and they did the same thing. They recharged the system and checked for leaks. For about a week i was getting a musty smell right when i turned on the A/C but it went away quick. Yesterday or the day before it started blowing warm on the same two vents again.......not sure what the hell is going on.

 

[Erik Steinbring]

I am in the same boat............had the same issue found the system low on Freon, charged it, all has been well.....waiting for the other shoe to drop I guess. OH GOODIE! What next?

My GMC C1500 waited 39 months before it started giving me issues at least I got 10 years out of this one.

 

[earthrealm]

anybody knows the pressure the ac system shud read when filled with freon to optimum level?

 

[preacher35]

I had this issue last summer. I took it to the shop, they recharged the system and checked for leaks. They didn't find any. It was good until a couple of weeks ago when it started blowing warm out of the two driver side vents but very cold on the right side. I took it to a shop and they did the same thing. They recharged the system and checked for leaks. For about a week i was getting a musty smell right when i turned on the A/C but it went away quick. Yesterday or the day before it started blowing warm on the same two vents again.......not sure what the hell is going on.

Hey Morris, I had this exact same problem last year. It began with warm air blowing out the driver side and warm air out the passenger. I took it to three different mechanics, had the die inserted for leak detection, blah blah blah.... Recharged the freon and it would be good for about three weeks. However, the recharge intervals got shorter and shorter. At the point where I had to recharge it every 7 days, I finally took it to another guy that is a Toyota specialist where I live (not dealer). He found the problem in a matter of minutes (by putting my truck on the lift and checking a run-off tube near the fire wall), he confirmed that the evaporator was leaking. He said that this is becoming a more frequent issue that he is encountering with Toyota's. Anyway, $950.00 later and I have consistent, cold air again. He had to completely remove everything from the dash down to the firewall to get to the damned thing. It sucks. I always assumed that a compressor change was the most expensive a/c issue. WRONG!

 

[momo.75]

Yep, it is my evaporator as well. I just got off the phone with this shop. Not that i want to spend the money but since they are going to be pulling the majority of the dash out i am going ahead and having my cracked dash replaced at the same time. Toyota wanted close to $1000 in labor to replace it so it makes sense to do it all at one time. I can't really complain since i have hardly had any issues with this 11.5 year old beater.

 

[toybox]

Well this sucks! Mine just started this also. I guess I have to shop around for a good price to do the evaporator and, like Momo, I'll get the dash done too. [MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION], how much was the dash part? Do you have a part number?

 

[momo.75]

I don't have a part number for any of it. I just had the shop order all the parts and install it all. I can't remember the price on the dash or the evaporator but i will just say that i will be on a strict diet of Ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It is so worth it though. Every time i get in my truck I look at my dash. Needless to say there is no way i would have a car without A/C in the south during summer.

 

[preacher35]

Well this sucks! Mine just started this also. I guess I have to shop around for a good price to do the evaporator and, like Momo, I'll get the dash done too. [MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION], how much was the dash part? Do you have a part number?

Ask and you shall recieve. Part numbers and prices for 2003 SE V8 OEM:

dash panel part# (the part number IS NOT COLOR SPECIFIC): 55401E
and the best price that I could find so far is $900.17 at OEMparts123.com

evap core part#: 88501
and best price for OEM was also at OEMparts123.com was $200.23, but you
can go aftermarket for much less on this part!

 

[toybox]

Wow that dash part is expensive, and that is without the labor!

I was hoping to keep this until the 6th gen but with the A/C, dash, timing belt which is due and frame rust that needs to be fixed for inspection I'm at a loss for what to do. :redbrick:

 

[Dan Quackenbush]

Warm air drivers side cold air passenger side.

I have a 05 sienna le with 95,000 miles. When I checked the system, the pressure gauge read 35lbs (blue area) = System has proper amount of refrigerant. I added one can (12oz) and this put it into the yellow area with a reading of 60lbs. Now both sides blow cold air. Hope this helps.

 

[Dan Quackenbush]

Warm air drivers side cold air passenger side.

I have a 05 sienna le with 95,000 miles. When I checked the system, the pressure gauge read 35lbs (blue area) = System has proper amount of refrigerant. I added one can (12oz) and this put it into the yellow area with a reading of 60lbs. Now both sides blow cold air. Hope this helps.