Air Conditioning Help..?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
Air Conditioning Help..?
My air conditioning pretty much doesn’t seem to work. I first assumed it’s a sport’s car and that’s just how it is, I realize this is probably not the case. Air comes out the vents but I wouldn’t consider it cold. If anyone has a suggestion on how to fix this, possibly just needs an anti freeze change? Maybe a corroded plug that works the air conditioning? HELP it’s too damn hot outside and I cant show up to work with my dress shirt drenched in sweat! lol
Cheese
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood, WA
Does the AC clutch engage when you turn it on? Has it ever worked since you bought the car?
Could be a something as expensive as a bad compressor, or as cheap as refilling the coolant. Also, what year is your car?
Could be a something as expensive as a bad compressor, or as cheap as refilling the coolant. Also, what year is your car?
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 0
From: tampa
cool but not cold is usually caused by low charge. you have a leak somewhere most likely. that said it could be alot of other things but without any tools(gague set most importantly) it is serious internet guessing. take it somewhere to have it looked at
Constant threat
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 39
From: near Wichita, Kansas
^ best advice. You do need to check to see if your compressor is kicking on, if it isn't you need to trace out why but in the mean time you can pull off the electrical connector and just jump 12V to the compressor clutch and see if it will engage, if it does see if you get cold air.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 0
From: tampa
/\ if you want to check the compresser out and belive it is not engaging due to low freon, just jumper the low side pressure switch. low pressure the switch opens and the clutch gets no power, (Do not let it run like that for very long as it is bad for the unit) kind of like the neutral saftey switch
Just don't take it to a Mazda dealership to be checked out. Mine exhibited the same symptoms a few years back. Took it to the Mazda dealership (Tom Bush sucks) and was told I needed a new condensor to the tune of $1,800. Then went to my trusty local mechanic (Riverside Automotive) who repaired the leak at the filler cap and recharged the unit. $120, big difference.
Sounds like a leak to me.
Sounds like a leak to me.
Trending Topics
Find an AC specialist in your area and have them look at it. There's nothing out of the ordinary with the AC system on the car - it's pretty plain vanilla.
The AC is actually EXTREMELY good, too. Mine will churn 35 degree air out of the vents, and you really can't tell that the AC is even on - ie, the car isn't laggy and bogged down like some cars get with the AC on.
Leaks are far and away the most common problem. Freon leaks out, no more AC.
I would HIGHLY recommend having the shop refill it with the original R12 refrigerant. It's more expensive, but it will freeze you out of the car. Many shops will recommend to switch to the new environmentally friendly R134a refrigerant, but the car will never get as cold as with R12. So you know, R12 isn't made any more, so costs are quite high. But, I had my car fully recharged with R12 for $120 - VERY reasonable.
Dale
The AC is actually EXTREMELY good, too. Mine will churn 35 degree air out of the vents, and you really can't tell that the AC is even on - ie, the car isn't laggy and bogged down like some cars get with the AC on.
Leaks are far and away the most common problem. Freon leaks out, no more AC.
I would HIGHLY recommend having the shop refill it with the original R12 refrigerant. It's more expensive, but it will freeze you out of the car. Many shops will recommend to switch to the new environmentally friendly R134a refrigerant, but the car will never get as cold as with R12. So you know, R12 isn't made any more, so costs are quite high. But, I had my car fully recharged with R12 for $120 - VERY reasonable.
Dale
Convert the two valves to R134 valves, and refill with the refrigerant from
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/. It is more efficient than R12 and R134, and more environmetally safe.
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/. It is more efficient than R12 and R134, and more environmetally safe.
Yep, no kidding - measured with a thermometer. AC systems have a switch in the evaporator core that cycle the compressor on and off just above the freezing point - if the air gets below 32 degrees, you'll get ice on the evaporator, which blocks flow. So, if your compressor is cycling, you're just above freezing, which is by design.
The colder the air coming out of the vents, the faster the car cools down and the sooner you can drop the fan speed.
Dale
The colder the air coming out of the vents, the faster the car cools down and the sooner you can drop the fan speed.
Dale
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary, FLORIDA
I got a problem with my AC as well .. the damn thing just stopped working one day..
the compressor engages when you switch on the fan but nothing comes out.
does anyone have some type of eletrical trouble shooting guidance?
the compressor engages when you switch on the fan but nothing comes out.
does anyone have some type of eletrical trouble shooting guidance?
As in, no air comes out of the vents at all? If so, something's wrong with the blower motor or the fan control switch. It's all in the shop manual. BTW, the blower motor is SUPER easy to get to - 3 bolts and it drops out, you don't have to pull the dash or anything crazy.
Dale
Dale
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Originally Posted by RX7SIGN
My air conditioning pretty much doesn’t seem to work. I first assumed it’s a sport’s car and that’s just how it is, I realize this is probably not the case. Air comes out the vents but I wouldn’t consider it cold. If anyone has a suggestion on how to fix this, possibly just needs an anti freeze change? Maybe a corroded plug that works the air conditioning? HELP it’s too damn hot outside and I cant show up to work with my dress shirt drenched in sweat! lol
Love me for my car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: california
hrm... strange... I hope that isn't the case because I have a PFC, and i WANT my A/C! Especially in these times! My compressor is shot, i don't even have the belt for the compressor anymore, and i need a A/C Condensor. I live in SOCAL, so anyone who can hook me up, THANKS
FYI:
AC works best with the recycled air button ON.
I've heard of that before. Lucky for me that was not the case.
but here ya go
https://www.rx7club.com/power-fc-forum-47/ricks-rotary-performance-diagnosed-my-power-fc-ac-%2Aresolved%2A-279453/
AC works best with the recycled air button ON.
Originally Posted by jramosrx7
The a/c worked prior to installing the PowerFC. Just discovered it doesn't now, and learned the PowerFC is known to interfere with a/c operation.
but here ya go
https://www.rx7club.com/power-fc-forum-47/ricks-rotary-performance-diagnosed-my-power-fc-ac-%2Aresolved%2A-279453/
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Msg I received from Rick as in the cited thread. Rick defintiely knows his s..t!:
The power fc does cause the a/c to not work on settings 2,3 and 4, but it will still work on #1, unless you have something else wrong. This does not affect all cars however. The amount of wear on the fan speed switch contacts can affect the a/c operation also. The "fix" for this does not always work. Apex came out with a wiring modification that can be done at the harness where it plugs into the power fc. I have done this to 3 cars so far. It worked on one of them, but not the other 2. On one of them I replaced the fan speed switch also, then the a/c worked on speeds 1,2 and 4. As you can see, it is a hit or miss for each car. The only thing to do is to try all known fixes for every car and hope for the best. Or, you can install a separate switch inside the car to turn the a/c on or off manually
The power fc does cause the a/c to not work on settings 2,3 and 4, but it will still work on #1, unless you have something else wrong. This does not affect all cars however. The amount of wear on the fan speed switch contacts can affect the a/c operation also. The "fix" for this does not always work. Apex came out with a wiring modification that can be done at the harness where it plugs into the power fc. I have done this to 3 cars so far. It worked on one of them, but not the other 2. On one of them I replaced the fan speed switch also, then the a/c worked on speeds 1,2 and 4. As you can see, it is a hit or miss for each car. The only thing to do is to try all known fixes for every car and hope for the best. Or, you can install a separate switch inside the car to turn the a/c on or off manually
Constant threat
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 39
From: near Wichita, Kansas
Wellllll....that PowerFC problem just SUCKS! 
Who'd have thunk THAT?
As for normal A/C operation, I side with Dale. My car has an un-Godly cold air conditioner. Even in these 100 degree heat days I can cycle the fan down to 2 after a few minutes of operation and STILL damned near freeze my arms off! Yes, I have dark tinted windows and all that, and I DO leave the 'recycled' button on so I am cooling the cabin air, not outside air.
GM air conditioners are hard to beat, known for putting out 45 degree or colder air, but this Mazda unit is just as good if not better.
Who'd have thunk THAT?As for normal A/C operation, I side with Dale. My car has an un-Godly cold air conditioner. Even in these 100 degree heat days I can cycle the fan down to 2 after a few minutes of operation and STILL damned near freeze my arms off! Yes, I have dark tinted windows and all that, and I DO leave the 'recycled' button on so I am cooling the cabin air, not outside air.
GM air conditioners are hard to beat, known for putting out 45 degree or colder air, but this Mazda unit is just as good if not better.
Passenger
Posts: n/a
My car has had a AC problem since I got it. At first it would just blow outside temp air. I had an AC shop look at it, it had a leak he refilled with r-12 and said it would be very expensive to track down and fix the leak, and it was a real slow leak. It lasted the summer and by next summer back to the same thing I did this for the first 3 or 4 years I owned the car. Then last year he said he had no more r-12 and he was not going to pay to get more. So he said just get one of those kits they sell in auto parts stores to switch it over to 134a. I did that and it seemed to work ok. But now if I get into the car and turn on the air it works, if I stop and turn off the car for a while and then start up and go again it never seems to get cold almost like heat soak? I have also heard that if you open up the AC system you should change the dryer? Is this true, and what does the dryer do? And is the Heat and AC unit chapter to the shop manual available any where as a pdf like the rest of the manual?
Originally Posted by cewrx7r1
Convert the two valves to R134 valves, and refill with the refrigerant from
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/. It is more efficient than R12 and R134, and more environmetally safe.
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/. It is more efficient than R12 and R134, and more environmetally safe.
http://autorefrigerants.com/co00033.htm
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
Hey while the thread is up:
The local shop I will take my car to in order to fix the a/c sometimes can be sightly if not extremely uninformed. If anyone could helpgive me a write up that I could print and hand to the mechanic. I dont want a simple fix turning in to a $2,000 job lol.
Im pretty sure it just needs some refrigerant. Im not sure if he will understand the whole converting two valves to R134 valves, or have those.
The car does blow out heat and air just fine however when the a/c is on it the air just doesnt get cold. The car is a 93 so im sure it needs a refill.
The local shop I will take my car to in order to fix the a/c sometimes can be sightly if not extremely uninformed. If anyone could helpgive me a write up that I could print and hand to the mechanic. I dont want a simple fix turning in to a $2,000 job lol.
Im pretty sure it just needs some refrigerant. Im not sure if he will understand the whole converting two valves to R134 valves, or have those.
The car does blow out heat and air just fine however when the a/c is on it the air just doesnt get cold. The car is a 93 so im sure it needs a refill.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary, FLORIDA
Originally Posted by DaleClark
As in, no air comes out of the vents at all? If so, something's wrong with the blower motor or the fan control switch. It's all in the shop manual. BTW, the blower motor is SUPER easy to get to - 3 bolts and it drops out, you don't have to pull the dash or anything crazy.
Dale
Dale
yeah nothing comes out at all. i cant even select to have out side air blow in when the car is moving.. like i said .. with the fan switch off. the compressor idles.. when i select a speed the compressor engages..
so it must be the blower. does the blower have a fuse?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
Hey while the thread is up:
The local shop I will take my car to in order to fix the a/c sometimes can be sightly if not extremely uninformed. If anyone could helpgive me a write up that I could print and hand to the mechanic. I dont want a simple fix turning in to a $2,000 job lol.
Im pretty sure it just needs some refrigerant. Im not sure if he will understand the whole converting two valves to R134 valves, or have those.
The car does blow out heat and air just fine however when the a/c is on it the air just doesnt get cold. The car is a 93 so im sure it needs a refill
The local shop I will take my car to in order to fix the a/c sometimes can be sightly if not extremely uninformed. If anyone could helpgive me a write up that I could print and hand to the mechanic. I dont want a simple fix turning in to a $2,000 job lol.
Im pretty sure it just needs some refrigerant. Im not sure if he will understand the whole converting two valves to R134 valves, or have those.
The car does blow out heat and air just fine however when the a/c is on it the air just doesnt get cold. The car is a 93 so im sure it needs a refill