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Is my A/C normal for being so weak? Or is it time to get it serviced?

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Old 09-14-2012, 01:12 AM
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fwb
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Is my A/C normal for being so weak? Or is it time to get it serviced?

2004 RX-8. I realize it's notorious for having weak air conditioning, but (I got my car used 2 years ago) I am wondering if mine actually needs to be serviced. Any time the temperature is 90+ deg, I am sweating with the A/C on full blast. It seems like it's losing the battle with the sun on a black interior. I am getting cool air, but it feels like only the center-right vent is blowing cool, the side vents, and center-left vent all feel room-temp (colder than the ambient hot air, but still not cold). Is there any definitive way to know before I drop some dough getting it serviced? How does everyone else's A/C feel in the summer? I tried the pipe insulation mod, and it did nothing.

Last edited by fwb; 09-14-2012 at 01:34 AM.
Old 09-14-2012, 03:19 AM
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Charles Bundy
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SEARCH and this forum will be your friend. There is a DIY for this that you should read and might help with the A/C Blowing Hot Air problem.
Old 09-14-2012, 08:17 AM
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Yeah check that out. Mine actually works quite well even when it's nearly 100F outside.
Old 09-14-2012, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Grace_Excel
SEARCH and this forum will be your friend. There is a DIY for this that you should read and might help with the A/C Blowing Hot Air problem.
are you talking about the "reprogram"? That doesn't even effect the physical A/C system, except change the recirc to be enabled by default. Yes I've tried it, and searched elsewhere.
Old 09-14-2012, 01:24 PM
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Put a set of gauges on it to see how well the system is performing.
Old 09-14-2012, 01:29 PM
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The reprogram also stops the compressor from cycling so much.
My ac works wonderful.
Live in NOLA, so +90*f temps and I usually keep it on number 2 once it cools the car off.
Full black leather interior.

Are your windows tinted?
Is it poor performance while moving or stationary? Or both?
Old 09-14-2012, 04:10 PM
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Charles Bundy
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Originally Posted by fwb
are you talking about the "reprogram"? That doesn't even effect the physical A/C system, except change the recirc to be enabled by default. Yes I've tried it, and searched elsewhere.
I'm referring to the ****. Do you still have your stock radio?
-Turn your key to ON
-Turn your radio on
-Press and hold the POWER radio **** and SCAN up simultaneously.

You will see your LED screen show your A/C level. Turn your temp **** and watch if the level moves through all the numbers from 0 to 16... If it skips a number, your temp **** is broken. Soldering is the fix, SEARCH the DIY. Thank you!
Old 09-15-2012, 04:30 AM
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Thanks for all the tips....I believe I found the problem, the left cabin air filter was pretty clogged up with leaves and other debris. It's almost at the end of it's replacement cycle so I simply put new ones in. Also, had my freon recharged, since it was lower pressure than it should have according to the shop. Need a good hot day to really test it out, but so far it feels %1000 better.
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