air conditioning failure, need help

[rjohnson1648]

Howdy,

 

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra Z71, Ext. Cab with the 5.3L V8. I was out for a short drive this weekend (~100 miles) when at the end of the drive I noticed that the air coming out of the vents was no longer cool. The fan was blowing air, but it was not cool at all. Windows down time here in south central TX...

 

I was going to do an oil change that day, so I while I had it at a garage I use, I asked a friend who works there to check it out. The system was charged properly, the 10A fuse for the A/C was fine. Everything in the fuse box was checked out. My friend shrugged his shoulders and said I would have to take it in to get it further diagnosed. Needless to say, I said "BAH" to that finished my oil change and drove on (sweating just a bit).

 

After a few hours of scratching my head, I decided to go back and look around for any other electrical problems that could be keeping my compressor from kicking in. Then the obvious hit me - I noticed that the serpentine secondary belt used on the 5.3L V8 was missing - there's my problem! I had a new belt put installed and the tensioner checked out - the tensioner wasn't frozen (which can cause the belt to break), only the belt was missing. I was ready to declare victory again when the truck was started and A/C turned on - but still no cold air.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1) Has anyone experienced this before?

2) Could this be a faulty pressure switch (located on the dryer, I believe) ?

3) What are suggestions for next steps?

4) If you think I should take it in, should I take it to a dealership? Or should I try and find an AC Delco shop that isn't affiliated with a dealership?

 

Any help appreciated.

 

- RJ

[asepgrad98]

how did he know the pressures were good with no belt? not happening

 

1, yes

2, perhaps

3,take it to someone who knows what there doing, not that last guy

4, take it to someone who is recomended locally

[rjohnson1648]

Excellent point. Thanks for the reply.

 

how did he know the pressures were good with no belt? not happening

 

1, yes

2, perhaps

3,take it to someone who knows what there doing, not that last guy

4, take it to someone who is recomended locally

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

[Bish]

how did he know the pressures were good with no belt? not happening

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

One of the reasons I do most of my own work is due to places like this!!!

 

I needed a recharge about 4 years out on mi 01 but other than that the AC is holding up well at 150K.. Easiest is to bring it to a REPUTABLE place. Some things you can look for...See if the compressor clutch is engaging or not. Make sure the condensor (radiator like thing in front of radiator) is clean of debris. Other than that, you're taking it to a shop...hopefully a decent one.,

[92blkslvrchevy]

I had a problem like that. My compressor wasn't kicking in. I finally found out that it was the heater/ac controls on the dash. Picked one up for $25 at a junk yard. It works just fine now.

 

Good Luck

[lerbud]

Check your a/c cycle switch. should be able to unplug it and use a paper clip to jumper across the plug. if it works then that is your problem. cost about $6 or $7 bucks...

[rjohnson1648]

Just a follow-up message to fill everyone in on what the resolution was:

 

I ended up taking my truck to a local tire/mechanic shop close to work. They quickly found that my auxillary belt that runs the compressor had severed and was thrown up and to the right (as you look at the front of the truck). The belt broke cleanly across. I can't believe that belt stayed under there for over 100 miles of highway driving (guess it was lodged in pretty good).

 

The previous person I asked to look at my truck shorted out a 10A fuse when they were "diagnosing" the problem, so that was solved by replacing the fuse.

 

The belt was replaced and the refridgerant was replenished. All good now.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

[SteveZ]

I have an '02 Tahoe Z71 that experienced some a/c problems at the end of last summer, it stopped blowing cold air. I took it to a local repair shop that I've been happy with in the past and they started by checking the belts, etc. They determined that the refrigerant level was low so they added more, along with a dye stick so they could find the leak with a blacklight (pretty standard procedure I was told). I drove my truck for 2 weeks until the a/c stopped blowing cold again. I took it back to the shop and the guy couldn't find a leak. He suggested that he fill it up again but add twice the dye since it can get diluted in such a large system. I told him I would wait until the spring and try to find some info on my own.

 

Anybody else experience similar problems? The model that I have has separate controls for rear heat and a/c. Is it possible that there could be a leak in the back versus the front? Is it a separate system from the front with a separate compressor, etc.

 

I would really love to avoid spending tons of money on refilling the system in an attempt to find leaks if I could find out what others might have experienced.

[Rbrown30]

My 04 Sierra with 25,000 has developed a problem where when you first start the vehicle, all is well. Later, 10-15 minutes or longer it suddenly stops blowing cold air and blows outside temp air. If you stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and then restart it works fine the rest of the day. Somedays it will run allday and not mess up.