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AC issues fixed for 2020???

ldoh

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Don’t need to post pics of temp if it cools to a satisfactory degree. Also don’t care what the indicated temp reads, I either increase/decrease temp as needed. So far I haven’t encountered any temp (outside temp 20s to over 100) that I couldn‘t adjust to what I wanted. Posting pics of completely different vehicle temps proves what exactly? Nothing, except that different vehicles produce different readings. If the 2020 didn’t do it for you, thats fair. You don‘t have to purchase, that simple.

Au contraire. I get your desire to hand wave the issue away and declare it an interpretive piece of art, but details are important when discussing any vehicle system's performance including the HVAC system. It would be insane to expect an HVAC trade school to train techs to assess system performance on how they feel the a/c is performing. Likewise with a/c system design. It's all about the expected environmental load/demand and an HVAC systems engineering margin to cover extreme conditions.
 

ldoh

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The OP's question isn't whether the issue is real, rather did FCA change the HVAC system in 2020. Let's get back on topic.
 

Checkairspeed

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Au contraire. I get your desire to hand wave the issue away and declare it an interpretive piece of art, but details are important when discussing any vehicle system's performance including the HVAC system. It would be insane to expect an HVAC trade school to train techs to assess system performance on how they feel the a/c is performing. Likewise with a/c system design. It's all about the expected environmental load/demand and an HVAC systems engineering margin to cover extreme conditions.
Mon frere (assumption). Details are important. Comparing the Ram to any other vehicle is not important and more directly not relevant. Different systems, different operation. The techs that assess the Ram system are comparing the performance to FCA specs, not Ford, et al. So far, unless I missed it, everyone (here) that has reported dealer testing has returned to state dealer says “operating within spec”. Now, we either must assume the dealer is lying or the system is actually performing to FCA specs. BTW, the picture attached to the post I responded to, showed appx a 5 deg difference. Most likely within the margin of error for measurement.
 

JustMe

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Every time I get ready to pull the trigger on a new Ram, I read some new issue with them. I know the a/c has been an ongoing issue, but I would've expected them to at least fix a major flaw like that for 2020. Definitely could be a deal breaker
Yea I feel that feeling sometimes too . . . but all you need to do (to ease the discomfort, hopefully) is go to a FORD F150, Chevy/GMC 1500 Forum/Blog and you'll quickly see that the world is NOT a PERFECT Place ! As long as the "Rise of The Machines" continues and Humans take less and less of an Active Role in the Manufacturing Process -- S**t's gonna happen, especially if the few remaining Humans in the Quality Control/Assurance Positions don't have the proper training, or Desire to perform that Important Function . See . . . Machines AND Humans have "malfunctions" now and then, but I'm sure you're all aware of that . . . this is just a simple heart felt reminder ! Happy New Year ALL . . . . :D (y)
 

gHiDoRa

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Yea I feel that feeling sometimes too . . . but all you need to do (to ease the discomfort, hopefully) is go to a FORD F150, Chevy/GMC 1500 Forum/Blog and you'll quickly see that the world is NOT a PERFECT Place ! As long as the "Rise of The Machines" continues and Humans take less and less of an Active Role in the Manufacturing Process -- S**t's gonna happen, especially if the few remaining Humans in the Quality Control/Assurance Positions don't have the proper training, or Desire to perform that Important Function . See . . . Machines AND Humans have "malfunctions" now and then, but I'm sure you're all aware of that . . . this is just a simple heart felt reminder ! Happy New Year ALL . . . . :D (y)

You are correct sir and on top all that is very importance how they handle all the concern/problem from customer after sell, for me RAM is suck at this. If you don't have good after sell service then nobody will come back to buy your product again.
 

JustMe

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You are correct sir and on top all that is very importance how they handle all the concern/problem from customer after sell, for me RAM is suck at this. If you don't have good after sell service then nobody will come back to buy your product again.
So true . . . and this is one of the items on my list of "should I or shouldn't I" - do I or don't I, that has gone on ever since the New DT RAM came out . At a time when I bought a 2016 Grand Cherokee (still driving it), got excited about getting back into a RAM Truck, then I got on "HERE" and got the "oh Crap" syndrome about some of the "problems" . . . and they just don't seem to go away . . . it truly is disheartening to me ! But to be fair, here I still am, still waiting, still hoping, still anticipating the day I get excited again, to pull the trigger on a BUY ! ?
 

firecadet613

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You are correct sir and on top all that is very importance how they handle all the concern/problem from customer after sell, for me RAM is suck at this. If you don't have good after sell service then nobody will come back to buy your product again.
Go check out the Ford forum and see how they handled and are handling the frozen door latches and how GM handled the vibration issue.

The big 3 all make good trucks and some with issues. You're taking a gamble with anyone you buy. I had issues with my Ford but I'm excited to see what they release later next year.

As of right now, the Ram is the best on the market. And it's apparent many of you think the same or you wouldn't still be here debating the A/C issue.
 

firecadet613

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When i said "they" is mean for "all of them" not just RAM.
I get that but Ford sucks as well. I had to video my door latches not working, even with many other F150s at that dealer, that day, with the same issue. Ram took my word on the brake noise.

Life's short. Buy the truck you want. You've got a warranty or lemon law if you have major issues. I could have lemon lawed my Ford, but it was just easier to trade it and move on.
 

The_Dude

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You guys know that the new cars use 1234yf freon? That is not as good as 134a and I found that new vehicles maybe under charged as well.
 

HeliPilot

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So true . . . and this is one of the items on my list of "should I or shouldn't I" - do I or don't I, that has gone on ever since the New DT RAM came out . At a time when I bought a 2016 Grand Cherokee (still driving it), got excited about getting back into a RAM Truck, then I got on "HERE" and got the "oh Crap" syndrome about some of the "problems" . . . and they just don't seem to go away . . . it truly is disheartening to me ! But to be fair, here I still am, still waiting, still hoping, still anticipating the day I get excited again, to pull the trigger on a BUY ! ?
You may never get one if you are waiting for improvements to show up on Forums. If I paid attention to the forums for every vehicle I've ever owned, I'd be pedaling a bike to work. I've had my Ram for over a year, 22K miles and have been very happy with it. Traded in a 2017 Raptor for it. No regrets. And I've driven my truck through many states, through many temps and my Auto AC has performed like a champ from day 1. The only thing a dealer has ever done to my truck since purchase is to change my oil when I dropped it off (4 times as of today).
 

PostPremium

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BTW, the picture attached to the post I responded to, showed appx a 5 deg difference. Most likely within the margin of error for measurement.

You're right, details are important. Look a little closer at the photo, amigo.
 

MattF

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Im in the middle of deep east texas and no issues whatsoever with the AC in my 2019 ram.

It seems to me, based on my experience compared to the contributions shared on this forum that two things might be at play. 1- AC performance is different within the suite of 2019 trucks. i.e some perform well and others do not (like mine). Or 2- AC performance is the same across the suite of 2019 trucks but individuals expectations are materially different.

Why I think this - my experience on a 5000+ mile July road trip through the deep south FL - TX was that I needed to run the AC on full / recycle (no external air) to even be moderately comfortable. At NO time did the cab actually ever get "cold" - every other car or truck I have owned in my entire life could make very cold air in very hot weather. But others like the post I quoted apparently have no problem.

My opinion - not that is actually worth anything - is that a $60,000 truck should be able to make cold air (regardless of what FCA says is "within spec") - and accepting that it cant is wrong (for those who have the issue).

But my AC issues go away this time of year in Connecticut :)

Happy New Year

Matt
 

HeliPilot

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It seems to me, based on my experience compared to the contributions shared on this forum that two things might be at play. 1- AC performance is different within the suite of 2019 trucks. i.e some perform well and others do not (like mine). Or 2- AC performance is the same across the suite of 2019 trucks but individuals expectations are materially different.

Why I think this - my experience on a 5000+ mile July road trip through the deep south FL - TX was that I needed to run the AC on full / recycle (no external air) to even be moderately comfortable. At NO time did the cab actually ever get "cold" - every other car or truck I have owned in my entire life could make very cold air in very hot weather. But others like the post I quoted apparently have no problem.

My opinion - not that is actually worth anything - is that a $60,000 truck should be able to make cold air (regardless of what FCA says is "within spec") - and accepting that it cant is wrong (for those who have the issue).

But my AC issues go away this time of year in Connecticut :)

Happy New Year

Matt
Dont think my expectations are different, 98 degrees driving through the Mojave Desert, had to adjust my AC from 70 to 74 because the Auto setting was blowing cold enough for my hands to freeze. Have I ever owned a car with a colder AC...Yes, 1979 mustang would actually blow fog out of the vents it was so cold. I never take my AC out of Auto mode, and it has always cooled the cab down in less than 10 minutes no matter how heat soaked it was. I am smart enough to open up my sunroof to let heat escape if it smoking when I first get in. Never an issue.
 

Jack Whitefield

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It seems to me, based on my experience compared to the contributions shared on this forum that two things might be at play. 1- AC performance is different within the suite of 2019 trucks. i.e some perform well and others do not (like mine). Or 2- AC performance is the same across the suite of 2019 trucks but individuals expectations are materially different.

Why I think this - my experience on a 5000+ mile July road trip through the deep south FL - TX was that I needed to run the AC on full / recycle (no external air) to even be moderately comfortable. At NO time did the cab actually ever get "cold" - every other car or truck I have owned in my entire life could make very cold air in very hot weather. But others like the post I quoted apparently have no problem.

My opinion - not that is actually worth anything - is that a $60,000 truck should be able to make cold air (regardless of what FCA says is "within spec") - and accepting that it cant is wrong (for those who have the issue).

But my AC issues go away this time of year in Connecticut :)

Happy New Year

Matt
Pretty sure it's #1. There are many documented photos and videos, of screwy HVAC in the 2019 Ram. For example, one owner performed an experiment. In the middle of winter, he turned his temperature setting to "cold". One would expect he would get cold air. Instead, he was getting something around 100 degrees blowing out of the vents. This would support the blend door theory. Of the many owners that are complaining about their HVAC performance, the theory is the blend door is staying open, thus allowing heat to mix with the cold air.

This is also proven by the AC hack. Many of the owners that are complaining about the HVAC performance have placed a clamp on the heater core hoses, eliminating the heater core from the equation. This hack results in a significant temperature drop inside the cab.
 

JustMe

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You may never get one if you are waiting for improvements to show up on Forums. If I paid attention to the forums for every vehicle I've ever owned, I'd be pedaling a bike to work. I've had my Ram for over a year, 22K miles and have been very happy with it. Traded in a 2017 Raptor for it. No regrets. And I've driven my truck through many states, through many temps and my Auto AC has performed like a champ from day 1. The only thing a dealer has ever done to my truck since purchase is to change my oil when I dropped it off (4 times as of today).
Congratulations your in the majority of happy owners . Forums are the LEAST truly Informed bunch of "characters," as a whole, when trying to get the FACTS ! Of this we can all probably agree .? SO even though I (perhaps most of us) are not industry insiders, getting at those FACTS can be "trying" and unless some "whistleblower" (used loosely here) puts forth some of those FACTS . . . oh well ! Partial access to Trade Magazines, on line is a way, as well as trips to the Library . . . etcetera ! Indeed though, It's true, I MAY never get one, and that's ok too .
I am still very happy with my Grand Cherokee Trail Rated 75th Anniversary edition (Recon Green).
 

Beatle9999

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2020 ram Laramie in Los Angeles. Ac works fine in mine. “Last year” we had days in the high 90’s low 100’s and had no issues. Yeah it takes a while to cool when the cars been sitting in the sun all day but I’m used to it in other cars. Haven’t taken the temp but seems ok to me....
 

Jus Cruisin

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Forums are the LEAST truly Informed bunch of "characters," as a whole, when trying to get the FACTS !

Not sure how y'all meant that to come across... Forums have plenty of informed members. It's just that forums are the "go to" place to complain which skews the actual overall satisfaction / quality of any vehicle. There are many members that join because they are gearheads/enthusiasts, as I am, and then others that troll or are only on to belly ache or find out about some kind of problem and then disappear.
When this a/c thing became an issue that some would never let die here and I have a truck that keeps me comfortable in the heat (I just moved from central Florida that averaged 120 days of 90°+ per year) I decided to ask the service dept writers what they were encountering. I know writers in Daytona Dodge and Fields Sanford. Neither have had a/c complaints to speak of. And the 3 dealers I've used for recalls and oil changes haven't had many complaints up here in Michigan. So I don't think there is a design issue for the majority of the 100s of thousands of owners. Not saying trucks can't have a/c problems. All brands have a/c failures. Anyway..... I still say there is nothing wrong with the a/c system as designed.
 
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dmodem

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Not sure how y'all meant that to come across... Forums have plenty of informed members. It's just that forums are the "go to" place to complain which skews the actual overall satisfaction / quality of any vehicle. There are many members that join because they are gearheads/enthusiasts, as I am, and then others that troll or are only on to belly ache or find out about some kind of problem and then disappear.
When this a/c thing became an issue that some would never let die here and I have a truck that keeps me comfortable in the heat (I just moved from central Florida that averaged 120 days of 90°+ per year) I decided to ask the service dept writers what they were encountering. I know writers in Daytona Dodge and Fields Sanford. Neither have had a/c complaints to speak of. And the 3 dealers I've used for recalls and oil changes haven't had many complaints up here in Michigan. So I don't think there is a design issue for the majority of the 100s of thousands of owners. Not saying trucks can have a/c problems. All brands have a/c failures. Anyway..... I still say there is nothing wrong with the a/c system as designed.
Over the summer, my A/C would continuously run at full fan on its lowest setting, but the cabin never cooled below 66-68 degrees. RAM opened a case, and my dealer had it for a week where they confirmed there was a problem. They replaced a temp. sensor, A/C compressor, and replaced all refrigerant. Upon picking it up on a warm day, there was no noticeable temperature difference during the 20 min. ride home.

When I reached out to both my RAM specialist and dealer the next day, they asked that I bring it back in when the issue could be replicated. That was late August, and there won't be comparable temps and humidity until this summer, so in the interim RAM closed my star case until then.

Bottom line is, there indeed is a performance / design / component issue with the A/C in many RAM trucks, and the fact an $8 Harbor Freight hose clamp greatly improves the problem is nonsense.
 

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