05 LS V6 a/c problem. need some help

[pvriz]

Obviously new to this forum but everybody seems very knowledgeable and helpful. A/C began getting weaker over the last two years until blowing warm only. Local mobile mechanic added freon. It blew cooler for a day then back to warm. He said it was likely the compressor. Brought it to a local AC shop. They ruled out the DCCV. They replaced the compressor and drier. Now it blows cool (never cold) for only a minute then back to warm. This will happen intermittently, and is definitely worse when ambient temp is higher. I live in southwest florida so this is rough. A/C shop tried changing the Heater Control Valve. That said that didn't work so they put back the original.

They said it was likely the Heater Control Module(?). I've never heard of that part, although I could have missed what he said because i was in shock. Something like a $1500 fix with a new part, possibly $600 or so if a used one could be located. Is there any reasonably simple way to diagnose it myself?? Admittedly not very mechanical. Am I better off bringing it to the dealer for a definitive diagnosis at $100/hr?? Seems like everything with this LS is an electrical nightmare.. no easy fixes. If it's anywhere over 500 it looks like I'll be driving a hot car for a while.

Anybody had this problem with their LS?? Any thoughts or additional info to help me learn more about this situation are very much appreciated. Again, 2005 LS V6 with 95k on it.

 

[joegr]

They are talking about the DATC (the thing with the buttons and the digital display). It can be had used for much less than that (around $100). However, it is almost certainly not your problem.

You would be much better off to go to a good dealer for a proper diagnosis. One possibility is that the expansion valve is now messed up. It's a cheap part, but the since the whole dash has to come out to replace it, it is a very expensive repair. Fortunately, there are other, less expensive, possibilities.

If you want to try some troubleshooting yourself, we can help with that too, but you will need at the least, a good thermometer and a good set of high low refrigerant gauges. This will cost you more than $100 if you don't already have them.

Also, note that your LS, like all cars since the late 90's does not use Freon (R-12). It uses Suva (R-134a) refrigerant.

 

[msgtusmc]

They are talking about the DATC (the thing with the buttons and the digital display). It can be had used for much less than that (around $100). However, it is almost certainly not your problem.

You would be much better off to go to a good dealer for a proper diagnosis. One possibility is that the expansion valve is now messed up. It's a cheap part, but the since the whole dash has to come out to replace it, it is a very expensive repair. Fortunately, there are other, less expensive, possibilities. Dupont has patent on 134a, go figure!

If you want to try some troubleshooting yourself, we can help with that too, but you will need at the least, a good thermometer and a good set of high low refrigerant gauges. This will cost you more than $100 if you don't already have them.

Also, note that your LS, like all cars since the late 90's does not use Freon (R-12). It uses Suva (R-134a) refrigerant.

Odd that FREON, trademarked Dupont product lic to the world, patent ran out and it was replaced by 134a, sold as "FREON" in autoparts stores. Same scenario happened with R24/R410. Follow the $$$$. See who paid EPA & lobbyers to change. For the environment maybe, for profit, real reason! Space shuttle released more FREON per launch than all the FREON erver sold for consumer use in USA! As well as liquid oxygen.

 

[joegr]

I have always thought that the change from R-12 to R-134a was a money grab. It was just to coincidental with the patent running out just before the legal regulations started kicking in.

 

[pvriz]

Thank you for the informative reply. The expansion valve sounds probable, and certainly makes sense. I understand that's around 8 hours of labor? Uh oh. I'm hoping it's a less expensive problem. Don't know if local dealer is reputable, and it's a small town, so there's not much choice.