A/C in-op only when cabin is scorching hot

[wtc101]

Over the years, my 2014 3.8 has had an intermittent A/C. I’ve just come to realize it may be due to excessive cabin temps. When parked in the garage (or shade) the A/C works fine…..but when parked outdoors (solar gain making the cabin temp brutal) the unit OFTEN fails to blow any cold air. Each time the A/C fails, I assume the cabin temp is too hot and that maybe a sensor is preventing the unit from working. Last week with the car parked in the drive all day I headed to a store about 7 miles one way. The A/C never came on round-trip. But did the next morning when the day was not yet hot.

 

[EdP]

Over the years, my 2014 3.8 has had an intermittent A/C. I’ve just come to realize it may be due to excessive cabin temps. When parked in the garage (or shade) the A/C works fine…..but when parked outdoors (solar gain making the cabin temp brutal) the unit OFTEN fails to blow any cold air. Each time the A/C fails, I assume the cabin temp is too hot and that maybe a sensor is preventing the unit from working. Last week with the car parked in the drive all day I headed to a store about 7 miles one way. The A/C never came on round-trip. But did the next morning when the day was not yet hot.

Never heard of such a thing. Most of my life was up north, but now in Florida the cabin temp sure get high. I use the remote start to help. Never failed to go on in a few different cars.
Have you tried changing the air from recirc to fresh air? That may be causing the problem. Some cars will default to recirc. In theory, once cooled you are trying to lower the temperature of the already cooled cabin rather that bring in 95 degree air to cool to about 70.

You may still have a faulty sensor of some sort, but it is not protecting on purpose.

 

[jep604]

It's been super-hot here in the Mid-Atlantic and mine takes a bit of time to catch up but always gets the car back to 72 F inside after sitting outside. I crack the driver's window and rear passenger windows open a few inches to "pull" the heat out which seems to help with removing the excess heat quicker. Another reason I have a white Genesis.

 

[SoCalG90]

Could be that your freon is low. Easy to have it checked out by an A/C shop.

 

[wtc101]

Never heard of such a thing. Most of my life was up north, but now in Florida the cabin temp sure get high. I use the remote start to help. Never failed to go on in a few different cars.
Have you tried changing the air from recirc to fresh air? That may be causing the problem. Some cars will default to recirc. In theory, once cooled you are trying to lower the temperature of the already cooled cabin rather that bring in 95 degree air to cool to about 70.

You may still have a faulty sensor of some sort, but it is not protecting on purpose.

Appreciate the response. Yes, I have selected and de-selected Recirculate. Will take in for a basic A/C service and leak detect.

 

[wtc101]

It's been super-hot here in the Mid-Atlantic and mine takes a bit of time to catch up but always gets the car back to 72 F inside after sitting outside. I crack the driver's window and rear passenger windows open a few inches to "pull" the heat out which seems to help with removing the excess heat quicker. Another reason I have a white Genesis.

Thanks for the response. Your point about cracking the windows leads me to recall that I often park in the driveway with the windows down just for that reason. And when I do, the cabin temp is not as hot and the A/C usually works. I’m going to take it in for a basic service.

 

[wtc101]

Could be that your freon is low. Easy to have it checked out by an A/C shop.

That is my next step….thank you!

 

[jep604]

Thanks for the response. Your point about cracking the windows leads me to recall that I often park in the driveway with the windows down just for that reason. And when I do, the cabin temp is not as hot and the A/C usually works. I’m going to take it in for a basic service.

It has been hotter in our area recently than I ever remember. Of course, at 61, I'm less tolerant to the heat than I was when I was younger. I will probably take mine in for a service soon as it hasn't been done.

 

[wtc101]

It has been hotter in our area recently than I ever remember. Of course, at 61, I'm less tolerant to the heat than I was when I was younger. I will probably take mine in for a service soon as it hasn't been done.

Dittos!