Air conditioning performance

[Ram4Lou]

Test was done after the truck was driven for 15 minutes in “Max A/C” mode.

The vent temp will always be relative to the outside temp. In my situation, it is a 48 deg drop from ambient, which is pretty damn good from an academic perspective...and is perfectly within spec for FCA.

However, I think customers always expect more, but how cold is cold enough? What is a reasonable expectation?

A “reasonable expectation” is that every other vehicle I have ever owned in my life (and I’m 54) or have in my driveway right now can reach upper 30 to lower 40 deg vent temps in 100+ degree ambient conditions! That is an “unspoken” standard! Especially for a truck that advertises such high claims of interior comfort and luxury. My 2016 corvette and my wife’s 2017 Maxima read in the upper 30’s on 100 degree days! THAT, is a “reasonable expectation”. I’ve lived all of my life in either New Orleans or Houston and have never had a vehicle, that after sitting in sun for an hour or more, wouldn’t get you chilly in about 5-10 minutes to where you have to turn down the fan to low because you were already cold. This Ram, if sitting in the sun on 99+ temperature days for anything over 1/2 hour, NEVER gets cool enough to turn the fan down Without the Hack. There is absolutely, without a doubt, a serious blend door issue in this Ram that affects the driver side vents due to their proximity to the heater core. Especially the vent near the driver’s door window.

Whatever solution FCA comes up with, is probably going to be blend-door or heater core isolation valve related.

 

[PostPremium]

Test was done after the truck was driven for 15 minutes in “Max A/C” mode.

The vent temp will always be relative to the outside temp. In my situation, it is a 48 deg drop from ambient, which is pretty damn good from an academic perspective...and is perfectly within spec for FCA.

However, I think customers always expect more, but how cold is cold enough? What is a reasonable expectation?

Almost 60 is terrible!

I chuckle when someone takes the "it's within Ram spec" approach. Well of course it is, Ram set the spec. Set the bar low and you're sure to clear it. The fact remains that most other auto makers blow Ram's "spec" out of the water (or vents in this case). I expect Ram's AC, at the very least, to meet other cars on the road.

RamCares has acknowledged the issue and legitimized complaints, why people continue to defend this flaw is puzzling.

 

[ColoradoCub]

Almost 60 is terrible!

I chuckle when someone takes the "it's within Ram spec" approach. Well if course it is, Ram set the spec. Set the bar low and you're sure to clear it. The fact remains that most other auto makers blow Ram's "spec" out of the water (or vents in this case). I expect Ram's AC, at the very least, to meet other cars on the road.

RamCares has acknowledged the issue and legitimized complaints, why people continue to defend this flaw is puzzling.

Hell, forget comparing it to other vehicles , my buddies 2019 Classic blows 38 deg out of the vents, that's 14 degrees colder than the 4 5th Gen Rams me and another buddy have owned.

 

[dmodem]

Almost 60 is terrible!

I chuckle when someone takes the "it's within Ram spec" approach. Well if course it is, Ram set the spec. Set the bar low and you're sure to clear it. The fact remains that most other auto makers blow Ram's "spec" out of the water (or vents in this case). I expect Ram's AC, at the very least, to meet other cars on the road.

RamCares has acknowledged the issue and legitimized complaints, why people continue to defend this flaw is puzzling.

Sadly, although Ram stated a fix is in the works, I'd be extremely surprised if anything ever comes of it. The longer they let the issue drag on and owners do their own hack to remedy it, the less apt Ram is to throw $$ at a repair.

 

[Timeless]

Test was done after the truck was driven for 15 minutes in “Max A/C” mode.

The vent temp will always be relative to the outside temp. In my situation, it is a 48 deg drop from ambient, which is pretty damn good from an academic perspective...and is perfectly within spec for FCA.

However, I think customers always expect more, but how cold is cold enough? What is a reasonable expectation?

Take that same probe with you and test drive an F150 and a Silverado/Sierra and report back. I bet you will be shocked.

 

[KcRay]

Test was done after the truck was driven for 15 minutes in “Max A/C” mode.

The vent temp will always be relative to the outside temp. In my situation, it is a 48 deg drop from ambient, which is pretty damn good from an academic perspective...and is perfectly within spec for FCA.

However, I think customers always expect more, but how cold is cold enough? What is a reasonable expectation?

The

Test was done after the truck was driven for 15 minutes in “Max A/C” mode.

The vent temp will always be relative to the outside temp. In my situation, it is a 48 deg drop from ambient, which is pretty damn good from an academic perspective...and is perfectly within spec for FCA.

However, I think customers always expect more, but how cold is cold enough? What is a reasonable expectation?

The vent temperatures will not always be relative to the outside temperature, but the specs will be! Most other manufactures are able to outperform their own specifications

 

[Zogg44]

So yesterday morning it was in the 50's in Dallas. I had to run an errand and jumped in the truck wearing shorts. The air was blowing cold so I turned the temp way up but it stayed cold. Then I remembered - THE HOSE CLAMP!

I turned off the system and just turned on the seat heater which helped a lot, then removed the clamp later before I started the return trip.

I'm looking forward to a real fix, but the clamp sure is an easy workaround.

 

[azzx]

Is this TSB worth the hassle of going to the dealer just to validate it is needed and then order parts and then drop the truck off for a day or 2 to get it done?
Thanks

 

[Flot]

Is this TSB worth the hassle of going to the dealer just to validate it is needed and then order parts and then drop the truck off for a day or 2 to get it done?

I mean, you could do what I did and sell the truck instead. A/C was never right, rear window started leaking, front axle started making a grinding noise... combined with my truly inept local dealers and it wasn't worth the hassle for me. My only mistake was selling it a little too early into the whole "everything shortage."

Now I drive a Taco. Which is, bar none, the lamest vehicle I've ever owned. I'll revisit Ram after their next refresh.

 

[azzx]

I love the RAM - they did a great job designing it, nice execution. I understand the first and second year issues with any product.
I am baffled by the stone the age support and sub-stone age dealer network (they are not even in **** erectus stage in the evolutionary stage) compared to Honda/Toyota!!

 

[azzx]

BTW -- where is Ram cares?

 

[moosem]

Is this TSB worth the hassle of going to the dealer just to validate it is needed and then order parts and then drop the truck off for a day or 2 to get it done?
Thanks

I, for one, am glad that I had it done. It was definitely worth it. The AC actually works now. It used to be pathetic, now it gets frigid, even on the hottest of days.

My truck has developed a slight rattling sound from the left most vent, but I’ve learned to ignore it. It may or may not be related to the TSB..hard to say.

 

[go-ram]

I love the RAM - they did a great job designing it, nice execution. I understand the first and second year issues with any product.
I am baffled by the stone the age support and sub-stone age dealer network (they are not even in **** erectus stage in the evolutionary stage) compared to Honda/Toyota!!

.
Yes, that's the real Achilles' Heel with Ram - the dealership experience, including service. But the products is awesome
.

 

[azzx]

Taking it in tomorrow for the TSB. Will let you know if it worked. it is going to be 110 plus in PHX metro this week. A true acid test!

 

[Hydroblueguy]

.
Yes, that's the real Achilles' Heel with Ram - the dealership experience, including service. But the products is awesome
.

These new rams are the nicest trucks on the road hands down! However until all the unresolved issues show up and no one cares, I went to 3 different dealers several times for the same issue. The whole front end was replaced, still not fixed. Finally when they sent the ram specialist out, he said right away my truck had issues. This after all these new parts and 2 dealers telling me nothing was wrong. Boy they all played a good game trying to get me to give up. I was even denied test driving a new truck like me to compare, I was told no! The dealers don’t care about the customer and ram cares was a joke, until I brought up my lawyer, boy wanna talk about a change A week latter it was lemon lawed! I did have a 2021 built and love it so far!

 

[waterhamhawk]

Taking it in tomorrow for the TSB. Will let you know if it worked. it is going to be 110 plus in PHX metro this week. A true acid test!

Which dealership are you taking your truck to? Larry Miller in Surprise has me on this nonexistent list since February. They claim parts shortages. I believe their mechanics make more profit on smaller jobs.(Book time vs Real time) So this TSB is a real pain for them to do. I know I need to broaden my horizons and check other dealerships.

 

[Barqs]

My truck is approaching 35k miles, so it's time to put it into the shop for one last warranty bonanza. My driver's side folding mirror has the developed the "pop" that the passenger's side did last year, so that's first on the list. They already replaced the rear window, but sadly replaced it with the same part so I suspect I'll see more cracks next year (crossing my fingers they honor the 2 year parts replacement warranty). So about the only other issue I can think about now is the A/C TSB. It has been a rather mild summer for us here, coupled with my lack of reason to drive anywhere with working from home, so I haven't really noticed it that much other than yesterday when it was hitting close to 98F outside when I drove down the street to the grocery store. But that should be enough to at least mention it and have them check it out to see if it meets their expectations. They can keep it a week if necessary, and something tells me they will. We already have to schedule appointments a week in advance, and they warn you that diagnoses can take another 72 hours.

 

[azzx]

Tempe Ram -- suppose to pick it up later today

 

[SkittleRam]

.
Yes, that's the real Achilles' Heel with Ram - the dealership experience, including service. But the products is awesome
.

Agreed, I knew going into another Ram that I would not expect great service. Honestly its sad...as you mentioned there is great product.

 

[azzx]

Well ---- just got a call from the service advisor, the housing RAM sent to them is broken, so this means I have to leave my truck there for over a week until they get the new replacement.
this sucks, My RAM has never been in a strange place since day 1 !!