Need Help Troubleshooting the Air Conditioner

[ieem01172]

Dear Forum,

I own a 2014 GTS Viper that was sitting unused for around a year and half (The dealership had some difficulty allocating the required body panels after a minor accident). When the car was finally restored, the AC didn't blow any air when I turned it on initially, then after a couple of minutes it was back to normal. It was then parked for a couple of months, but now the AC problem persists. I noticed that the AC compressor engages whenever I turn on the AC, although no air is felt coming from the AC vents.

The car also has the p2610 code, but believe this might be due to no turning on the car regularly (Not associated with AC issue, I assume)

It would be great to get your advice/ assessment of what's the cause and how to fix it.

[Martin]

Do you have a pressure gauge for the A/C? That would be the first thing I would do - make sure there's enough R134a in there and pressure is good. Normally, if there isn't, the pressure switch in the system will keep the compressor clutch from engaging, but I've had a few situations where there was just enough pressure to allow the clutch to engage, but it took a long time for the system to start blowing cold air. Adding R134a is easy if that's the problem.

For the P2610 - that's a pretty generic PCM "something's not right" code. It could be a ton of different sensors that are working fine but the PCM hasn't fully "learned" them yet, or you may have a sensor someplace that doesn't tell the PCM that it's on or off. I'll bet it's from sitting forever with a dead battery, but if it's running fine, I'll wager it will reset after a few run cycles. If things start to stumble or you notice it going into limp mode, then you probably have something else going on - but I think it's just a PCM that hasn't fully woken up yet.

Hope that helps a little bit. I'm sure more knowledgeable people here will have more advice.

[ieem01172]

Thanks Martin for your very informative post. I might schedule the car for service, as soon as the P2610 code goes away (Hopefully), as I don't really trust the dealership (The car's been exported, where there aren't many Vipers around). I'll suggest to them to look into refilling the refrigerant first.

Also, what constitutes an engine run cycle ? (When should I expect a benign P2610 code to clear)

[AZTVR]

no air is felt coming from the AC vents.

Do you have a pressure gauge for the A/C? That would be the first thing I would do - make sure there's enough R134a in there and pressure is good. Normally, if there isn't, the pressure switch in the system will keep the compressor clutch from engaging, but I've had a few situations where there was just enough pressure to allow the clutch to engage, but it took a long time for the system to start blowing cold air.

I'll suggest to them to look into refilling the refrigerant first.

Martin, does the Gen V (or modern cars) have a feature that prevents the cabin air blower motor from operating if the system is low in refrigerant? I thought that it just prevented operation of the compressor clutch; but you would still get air blowing.

ieem07112, Please verify that you actually are experiencing a condition where there is no air blowing out of the interior air vents, when your car is running and not moving. Does the air blow out of the vents when you switch from AC to heat ?

[ieem01172]

Thank you AZTVR for your input.

I can confirm that no air is felt from the AC vents, whether the temperature is set to low or high [Whether or not I have re-circulation on or off or having the AC on or off ] (While the car is running and not moving). I also checked to see whether or not the compressor clutch engages when the AC is on, and does, in fact, engage. I forgot to mention that I can faintly hear a slight hissing sound (The one that typically precedes air being blown into the cabin, but without any actual air being felt coming from the AC vents).

[AZTVR]

Thank you AZTVR for your input.

I can confirm that no air is felt from the AC vents, whether the temperature is set to low or high [Whether or not I have re-circulation on or off or having the AC on or off ] (While the car is running and not moving). I also checked to see whether or not the compressor clutch engages when the AC is on, and does, in fact, engage. I forgot to mention that I can hear a slight hissing sound (The one that typically precedes air being blown into the cabin, but without any actual air being felt coming from the AC vents).

Have you checked fuse 29 ( HVAC Blower ) to see if it is good?

[Martin]

I totally misunderstood the initial problem - I thought it was just no cold air, but no air at all is a different story. I honestly have no good ideas on this one - if it is not blowing air at first, and then after a few minutes it starts blowing air, that could be a problem with the control module. In any event, this one looks like a trip to the dealer is in order, unfortunately.

[ieem01172]

Have you checked fuse 29 ( HVAC Blower ) to see if it is good?

Great suggestion. In fact, accordingly, I bought a replacement fuse (Last one in stock at the dealership !), but alas, it didn't work.

[ieem01172]

I totally misunderstood the initial problem - I thought it was just no cold air, but no air at all is a different story. I honestly have no good ideas on this one - if it is not blowing air at first, and then after a few minutes it starts blowing air, that could be a problem with the control module. In any event, this one looks like a trip to the dealer is in order, unfortunately.

Sorry for the late response, and thanks a lot for your input. Yesterday, I dropped the car off at the dealership for an AC assessment, and have been notified that it requires a replacement part via text message (part to be identified when I visit them soon), and that it would take around a month for them to allocate it

[Luisv]

Blower resistor would be my guess if fuse is good. Blower will still move air regardless of refrigerant level.

Does the radio work? Ask BCE of the controls there. Vents etc.

Last question.... if you set vehicle to to ACC will the blower turn on? You should hear it.

[Policy Limits]

What was the verdict as to the code thrown?