Air conditioning Hack

[RamCares]

I have serious buyer's remorse after buying my Limited less than a month ago. There are so many things wrong with it, the a/c just being one. I can't believe they sell these things with all of the known issues. I have 13 TSB's and my dash is coming apart in addition to the crappy A/C. I have an appointment w/ the dealer on 8/20 (2 weeks after I tried to schedule something, w/ no guarantee of a rental), so I'll see how it goes. I'm warning everyone I know to steer clear of RAM until I see if they can address my issues.

Hi jokal,

We sincerely regret to hear of the trouble that has been associated with your ownership experience. Given your situation, we would like to escalate a case on your behalf for an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer. This will allow us to connect you with a case specialist who can work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution. Please follow up with us via PM to proceed in this manner.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[dmodem]

Here's my story: My A/C was extremely warm during hot/humid days, and Ram opened a case. When I took my Ram in for the airbag recall, I also wanted them to review A/C performance. After testing, they agreed there was an issue and ended up keeping the truck for a week. Upon receiving a call that they replaced "a bunch of parts", they stated it's now working fine and was test driven by the Service Mgr., who mentioned he recorded 49 degree temps from the driver's vent.

Upon picking up the Ram and driving home on a warm, humid day, the A/C still felt warm and later that evening I measured driver's side air temps which measured in the high 60 degree range. I reached back out to the dealer and Ram, who stated I should return it once the weather is warm and humid for more testing. Lo and behold our weather has since cooled into the high 70s / low 80s with minimal humidity, and although the A/C will blow cool in those temps, it's definitely nowhere near cold nor adequate to cool the cab. Upon a weekend hour-long trip and the A/C's climate control set to 64 degrees, the system did nothing during the period but blow the fan at its highest speed and the cab never reached temperature.

I have no issues with communication or what Ram or the dealer has done to this point, but due to no high/humid temperatures on the horizon which limits my ability to replicate the high vent temps, Ram closed the case last evening. My concern at this point is nothing will progress on a legitimate fix over the next 8-10 months until, once again, the issue will arise late next spring / early summer.

FCA has to undoubtedly be aware there's an issue with many Rams at this point, and the lack of addressing an actual remedy is disconcerting.

 

[BeauxXL1200]

Here's my story: My A/C was extremely warm during hot/humid days, and Ram opened a case. When I took my Ram in for the airbag recall, I also wanted them to review A/C performance. After testing, they agreed there was an issue and ended up keeping the truck for a week. Upon receiving a call that they replaced "a bunch of parts", they stated it's now working fine and was test driven by the Service Mgr., who mentioned he recorded 49 degree temps from the driver's vent.

Upon picking up the Ram and driving home on a warm, humid day, the A/C still felt warm and later that evening I measured driver's side air temps which measured in the high 60 degree range. I reached back out to the dealer and Ram, who stated I should return it once the weather is warm and humid for more testing. Lo and behold our weather has since cooled into the high 70s / low 80s with minimal humidity, and although the A/C will blow cool in those temps, it's definitely nowhere near cold nor adequate to cool the cab. Upon a weekend hour-long trip and the A/C's climate control set to 64 degrees, the system did nothing during the period but blow the fan at its highest speed and the cab never reached temperature.

I have no issues with communication or what Ram or the dealer has done to this point, but due to no high/humid temperatures on the horizon which limits my ability to replicate the high vent temps, Ram closed the case last evening. My concern at this point is nothing will progress on a legitimate fix over the next 8-10 months until, once again, the issue will arise late next spring / early summer.

FCA has to undoubtedly be aware there's an issue with many Rams at this point, and the lack of addressing an actual remedy is disconcerting.

Sorry to hear this, dmodem. Sounds like the heater hose clamp or valve might be needed next summer. Here in Central Texas, we've been over a 100 degrees for quite a few days in a row and we can't expect relief until mid to late September. With the hose clamped off, my AC is tolerable. It is indeed a shame that one has to do this on a $60k dollar truck and that FCA will not even acknowledge the issue; much less provide a solution.

 

[dmodem]

Sorry to hear this, dmodem. Sounds like the heater hose clamp or valve might be needed next summer. Here in Central Texas, we've been over a 100 degrees for quite a few days in a row and we can't expect relief until mid to late September. With the hose clamped off, my AC is tolerable. It is indeed a shame that one has to do this on a $60k dollar truck and that FCA will not even acknowledge the issue; much less provide a solution.

I'm holding out hope that FCA steps up to the plate before I cut a heater hose and install a remedy from the 1940s on a $63k truck.

 

[BeauxXL1200]

I'm holding out hope that FCA steps up to the plate before I cut a heater hose and install a remedy from the 1940s on a $63k truck.

I hear you. I had to do something to be able to drive in this Texas heat which last a good 5 months out of the year.

 

[User_3336]

Buy a set of $6.49 hose clamps from Harbor Freight like some of have already done, simple and quick, and removable.

I'm holding out hope that FCA steps up to the plate before I cut a heater hose and install a remedy from the 1940s on a $63k truck.

 

[savaytse66]

Can anyone confirm whether or not this hack works the same way on the 2500? The AC in my new 2500 is also terrible. I've got the parts on order, but before I mess around with it, I'd like to confirm. I suppose there is no harm trying the clamp temporarily to see if it fixes it the same way.

 

[rrbhokies]

Buy a set of $6.49 hose clamps from Harbor Freight like some of have already done, simple and quick, and removable.
View attachment 33618

41 degrees out of the drivers vent in 97 degree heat the other day with that Harbor Freight puppy on my hose. Best $7 I've ever spent!!

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Nah, I didn't miss the MAIN point. I did the "hack" a while back, so yeah, I understand the point.

Never understood the fascination with dual-pane sunroofs.

Dual pane glass offers significantly higher resistance to all modes of heat transfer versus single pane just like dual pane windows for your house.

 

[illucid]

Dual pane glass offers significantly higher resistance to all modes of heat transfer versus single pane just like dual pane windows for your house.

It's not dual pane as in double glazed like house windows. Its single laminate glass with 2 panes (as in twice the glass, panoramic etc.) 1 pane slides, the other is fixed.

 

[AndreiV]

From day 1 I felt that A/C was not performing as good as my other cars. Since I bought it in September I did not care to bother to look further. Finally, having in August here and there 100F outside with 20% humidity made it more noticeable but tolerable. I bought digital thermometer, clamp, and valve to play with. Same difference as others reported between pass and driver side. On the 100 degree day after sitting 8 hours on the parking lot best I can get 56 on driver while driving and 62 idling. With the clamp or valve 47. I dont believe that there is a fix from dealer as most people did not record before and after temp after taking to dealer. Sure I can say that I am OK to drive as is with no mods but easily can see how my response would change if I was inArizona or Nevada per say. Hell, my 18 year old BMW gets 49 within a minute just idling after sitting all day in 100F.

 

[sergetexan]

Well, after having a software adjustment a few months back thought all was well but now with our 95 deg plus high humidity in Houston it is not cooling down. Vent output takes 15-20 minutes to achieve an acceptable comfort level. Wife won’t ride in truck for any short trips. Her vehicle blows ice cold by time we reach end of block. Looks like I will be joining the AC hack club as I need a vehicle for multiple short trips on a daily basis. Between this and the whole water leak mess I can’t recommend this vehicle to anyone. FCA has quality issues for sure.

 

[dmodem]

So, I made a trip to Harbor Freight today and installed one of these pinch clamps. Guess what? After a 3-4 mile test drive, the A/C was considerably colder. The only 2 things that still disappoint me is that FCA hasn't come up with a fix for this common Ram issue and that I didn't have the 20% Harbor Freight coupon so I paid $7.80.

My only concern at this point is whether the clamp will alter the integrity of the hose.

 

[futonfactory]

Another happy customer here.... did the A/C hack last weekend (Houston). Immediate results, minimal cost and effort. For anyone on the fence who lives in areas where summer is not almost over, definitely worth it. My only regret is that I didn't do this at the beginning of the summer after noticing this problem last September when I purchased.

 

[dmodem]

So, I made a trip to Harbor Freight today and installed one of these pinch clamps. Guess what? After a 3-4 mile test drive, the A/C was considerably colder. The only 2 things that still disappoint me is that FCA hasn't come up with a fix for this common Ram issue and that I didn't have the 20% Harbor Freight coupon so I paid $7.80.

My only concern at this point is whether the clamp will alter the integrity of the hose.

...and after 10 months and 9700 miles of ownership, today was the first time I had condensation dripping on my path into the driveway and a puddle honestly appeared under where I parked it.

 

[ldoh]

So, I made a trip to Harbor Freight today and installed one of these pinch clamps. Guess what? After a 3-4 mile test drive, the A/C was considerably colder. The only 2 things that still disappoint me is that FCA hasn't come up with a fix for this common Ram issue and that I didn't have the 20% Harbor Freight coupon so I paid $7.80.

My only concern at this point is whether the clamp will alter the integrity of the hose.

If planning to keep hack over the long term (during summer), you could probably move clamp point slightly every couple of weeks and evaluate it from there.

 

[flynfish]

Put the clamp on the other day. Before i did it on a 100 degree day I couldn’t get better than 53 out of driver side vent. After the clamp it was down to 43!

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[4x4Rebel]

Put the clamp on the other day. Before i did it on a 100 degree day I couldn’t get better than 53 out of driver side vent. After the clamp it was down to 43!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I can't take in anymore! Clamping this sum*%&|@$. Can you guys confirm whether you are clamping it all the way or just tightening it down but letting a little flow happen? Those who have had it on for a bit...do you notice any impact to the hose? I'm sure, if you had, you would have mentioned it here and switched to the valve method. Appreciate any replies, but clamp goes on tonight.

 

[reggiejp3]

a couple days ago I got the harbor freight clamps and put one on. Took all of 60 seconds. What a difference. Now I can leave it on auto without unnecessary blower speeds and unacceptable time to cool off. I’ll probably do a more permanent solution with electric valve for the days you need some warm air.

Thanks to everyone who figured this out.

 

[ColoradoCub]

I can't take in anymore! Clamping this sum*%&|@$. Can you guys confirm whether you are clamping it all the way or just tightening it down but letting a little flow happen? Those who have had it on for a bit...do you notice any impact to the hose? I'm sure, if you had, you would have mentioned it here and switched to the valve method. Appreciate any replies, but clamp goes on tonight.

If your gonna clamp it , clamp it all the way down or you’ll still have warm air blending and you won’t get the full results of colder air.