I drove back from PEI Canada to NJ on Sunday July 7. It was quite hot the whole trip. After about 5 hours or so I noticed that the temperature in the AC was not getting that cold. By the time it was the middle of the afternoon when it gets the hottest, the AC put putting our very little cool air. We had the fan speed max out just to try to stay somewhat cool but it was quite warm in the car. Not quite enough to roll windows down but it was uncomfortable.

After my 16+ hour drive was over when I pulled into my garage and turned off the car, I heard popping/banging sounds behind the center console. Not sure if it was in the engine area or behind the center console itself. The following morning the AC was back to normal.

This has happened before on these longs trips to/from PEI Canada but not every trip.

Any ideas on what might be wrong? I don't know what my local dealer can do to check on the car. Is it reasonable to expect the AC to work fine for 15+ hour trips?

 

maybe the AC compressor is dying? not sure

 

I've seen this on our Jeep when we run the A/C on max. The condenser freezes up until it no longer provides cod air. The "fix" is to turn it off for a few minutes and then try not to go all out max. Mixing in a bit of warmer air from the temperature selector seemed to resolve it for us.

 

^ +1. With my Durango it would freeze up if I used it for long periods straight. Mixing some warmer air in there with it has helped, in that although it isn't quite as cool for a few minutes, at least the condenser doesn't frost up and quit working. Hopefully that's what you're seeing.

 

system low on charge?, that will cause the system to freeze up. Also this should not happen as there is a temp sensor on the condensor so that the A/C does NOT run to the point that it freezes up.

Are you using recirculate? if so, turn it off when you are comfortable. this will draw air from the outside

 

These are all possibilities ^. Is your A/C working today?

 

Thanks for the input. The A/C has been working fine since I posted. I don't think it's the charge but more like freezing up. I did have the recirculate on most of the time. Mostly since I got stuck in traffic and was trying to minimize sucking in car fumes. I will make the trip again at the end of August. I'll try not to use A/C the whole trip, if possible, but I will also try to not use the recirculate that much.

 

End of August in the Maritimes? You most likely won't need the A/C on much.