Air conditioning performance

[dstwyatt]

i was a dummy!! I bought my truck on 7-24-18 and it was baking hot! I noticed the a/c never seemed to cool like you would expect, but i just figured it was because it had just been started and never had a chance to really start cooling... wish i had stopped to think about it now....since i'm stuck with a deal breaking problem now

 

[kjn86]

Seems like it's about hot enough that dealers are going to be complaining of lost sales after folks take test drives and can't cool off. A drop in new vehicle sales should get everyone's attention far better than a forum ever will.

Seems like it's about hot enough that dealers are going to be complaining of lost sales after folks take test drives and can't cool off. A drop in new vehicle sales should get everyone's attention far better than a forum ever will.

I doubt anyone would look hard at the A/C in the test drive as the assumption would be on a top of the line vehicle at this price point, you couldn't even imagine A/C could be an issue in any way. I made the same mistake not checking if my side view mirrors had defrost. I mean, how could this NOT be the case in 2019 on a truck above $50k? Sadly it was.

 

[2RAMfam]

Hello Wheeljack169,

We're actually documenting this concern within our system so it is available for our internal departments to review. Send us your VIN within a direct message to get started.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited and my son has the 1500 Laramie and both trucks have this issue with defrost blowing on the windshield when the A/C is on and fogging the windshield on humid days (almost everyday). To solve this easily, we bought 2 hand towels from Wal-Mart and cut them in half long-wise and folded them and placed them end-to-end over the defrost vent on our dashboards. Not the most elegant solution for $50+k trucks, but it works.

I’d love to know how to solve this permanently! It’s quite distracting while driving!

 

[Whiskey_tango]

My AC sucks. Didn't read all 22 pages, but I assume we are stuck with it? Might look into the heat isolation valve mod.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited and my son has the 1500 Laramie and both trucks have this issue with defrost blowing on the windshield when the A/C is on and fogging the windshield on humid days (almost everyday). To solve this easily, we bought 2 hand towels from Wal-Mart and cut them in half long-wise and folded them and placed them end-to-end over the defrost vent on our dashboards. Not the most elegant solution for $50+k trucks, but it works.

I’d love to know how to solve this permanently! It’s quite distracting while driving!

Thanks for sharing this! I can't necessarily give any technical advice as to how to repair the vehicle. We rely on our dealers in that regard. If you end up going and need any assistance while in service, don't hesitate to connect with our team.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[trook]

My truck went to the dealer this morning to address the AC issue. The outside high temperature for the last week has been around 93-94 degrees. My driver side vent temps have been staying around 55-60 and very slow to get there; the passenger side temps about 5-8 degrees cooler.

This morning, the outside temp was 70. The high today only reached 82. The AC seemed to work fine this morning (70 degrees outside). The dealer kept the truck all day and tried to troubleshoot the issue multiple times throughout the day. He stated they were unable to determine the problem, but he does believe that a problem exists based on the fluctuation in vent temperature and the 49 degree vent temp. He stated they somehow reached a low vent temp of 13 degrees (???) this morning, but the vent temp was around 49 degrees this afternoon (even though it stayed a constant 52 for me the entire way home this evening). The bottom line is that they were unable to determine the problem, but stated that something is not right and want more time to troubleshoot.

I believe the vent temps were not as high today because the outside temps were about 10+ degrees cooler than they have been for the last week. Once the outside temps increase again, I will take the truck back for further troubleshooting.

The service employee was extremely nice, seemed to take a logical approach, didn't use the "within specs" excuse several of you have received, and he gave the impression that they genuinely want to identify and resolve the issue. I am, however, a bit disappointed that they kept the truck all day, admitted something is not right, but were unable to resolve the issue on this 2nd attempt. The 1st attempt was service bulletin 24-001-19. Hopefully, they will be able to determine the issue on the 3rd attempt when the outside temps increase.

 

[Randytartt]

I've owned the last 3 gens of Ram this by far has been the biggest let down. Spent $55k plus on a limited to be told the AC is blowing to spec and that's it. I would recommend any other brand at this point sorry Ram. I've taken this one to the dealership more times than my others combined over 15 years. Also, have the brake squeal and one side mirror issue. Hopefully, those get addressed this time around....

 

[moosem]

NOw

View attachment 27350

No need to trade in your truck! Just get this attractive add-on!

J/K, trying to add levity to the situation.

-John

Now, that’s funny!!

 

[dstwyatt]

i went to a dealer today and test drove another 2019 to check the a/c performance. it had a build date of 2-19.....the a/c performance was still unacceptable. of course, the salesmen were tryin to make every excuse you could think of!!

 

[Jhill]

i was a dummy!! I bought my truck on 7-24-18 and it was baking hot! I noticed the a/c never seemed to cool like you would expect, but i just figured it was because it had just been started and never had a chance to really start cooling... wish i had stopped to think about it now....since i'm stuck with a deal breaking problem now

Not necessarily......Add valves at your own risk and don't cut factory hoses, but if you choose to do this, get ready for 42-46 vent temps and then when Ram finally comes up with solution, remove this modification back to no trace stock plumbing. Heater core is diluting the cold air with added heat. Blend door isn't blocking the heat properly when you are requesting cooling.

 

[Love2driveRAM19]

I was working on another mini project and had the center display console plate off and took some pics.

I am going back in again to work on my mini project in next day or so, if any other pics needed around this area let me know.

May be trivial but few shots of the A/C ducts a layer in:

 

[duke2001]

Sorry, can not find the Spread Sheet for the data I collected. You can see Model and build info below. Live in Houston area. Ran test with auto ventilation thermometer purchased at Auto Zone (probably accurate + or - 2 or 3 degrees. Outside temperature 92 degrees, relative humidity 63%, wind speed 0 mph. Calculated apparent temperature ~96.5 degrees. Based on the apparent temperature and running the system prescribed by FCA for Dealers to test system, I should have been reading 55 degrees out of passenger and driver center vents. My readings were consistently, 45 degrees passenger side, and 55 degrees driver side. After measuring with the settings for max cool, I placed the controls to Auto/Recirc, set the required temperature to 70 degrees, and again got consistent temperatures out of the vent of 55 and 45. The difference being, the blower speed dropped significantly. So, for my truck I would conclude everything is working okay. Hope this helps those who are trying to figure out why their system is not performing properly.

 

[GoMango16]

I was working on another mini project and had the center display console plate off and took some pics.

I am going back in again to work on my mini project in next day or so, if any other pics needed around this area let me know.

May be trivial but few shots of the A/C ducts a layer in:

View attachment 27562

Was wondering if ou wrapped those vent tubes with stick on insulation they would blow cooler. The dash seems to retain a lot of residual heat and this would allow the cooler air to exit before it picks this residual heat up?

 

[duke2001]

Was wondering if ou wrapped those vent tubes with stick on insulation they would blow cooler. The dash seems to retain a lot of residual heat and this would allow the cooler air to exit before it picks this residual heat up?

Maybe worth it, if you were into the dash for other reasons, but to take it apart just for that, don't think so. Seriously doubt you could even measure the improvement.

 

[Jhill]

Sorry, can not find the Spread Sheet for the data I collected. You can see Model and build info below. Live in Houston area. Ran test with auto ventilation thermometer purchased at Auto Zone (probably accurate + or - 2 or 3 degrees. Outside temperature 92 degrees, relative humidity 63%, wind speed 0 mph. Calculated apparent temperature ~96.5 degrees. Based on the apparent temperature and running the system prescribed by FCA for Dealers to test system, I should have been reading 55 degrees out of passenger and driver center vents. My readings were consistently, 45 degrees passenger side, and 55 degrees driver side. After measuring with the settings for max cool, I placed the controls to Auto/Recirc, set the required temperature to 70 degrees, and again got consistent temperatures out of the vent of 55 and 45. The difference being, the blower speed dropped significantly. So, for my truck I would conclude everything is working okay. Hope this helps those who are trying to figure out why their system is not performing properly.

But your driver center vent could be 45 also if heat from heater core wasn't diluting the chilled air with unwanted heat. Here is how to address it..... perform at your own risk and don't cut factory hoses so you can remove at any time without a trace.

 

[moosem]

Mine blows around 49-50 through the drivers center vent and about 42 on the passenger side. If it maintains that during 90 + degree weather, I can live with it. I would absolutely prefer it a little colder, but it definitely cools down the cabin at those readings.

If FCA actually admits that something is wrong and comes out with a real fix, I will have it addressed. In the interim, I’m am not willing to “hack” my brand new truck with hardware store t-joints and valves to decrease the temperature by 3 or 4 degrees.

 

[dsn112]

I posted this on another post, but I’m going to mention this to my class action lawyer friend and see what he says.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GM convert]

Mine worked iced cold all last summer. This summer not so good. Per TSB my dealer my dealer said some o ring was leaking. They ordered an updated repair kit. They have put several in.

 

[2wd]

My dealer ordered some o ring that was leaking.

Hi GM Convert - any update on this?

On a whim, I researched Driver Passenger AC problems (dramatic temp differences generically rather than Ram Specific). Turns out Subaru's in 2015 were having this problem and wouldn't you know it, a leaky O-Ring was determined as the cause (leaking heat into the system) Once replaced, Subaru owners reported ICE cold AC out of both vents.

 

[SuperDogSteve]

I have had continual problems for my climate control. I've had it back to the dealer a few times, they do software updates and twice they have replaced the blower motor, because there was an error code. It never keeps it the temp it is set on. The A/C will always come on first, full blast, even in the winter. Then it gets confused, and switches from A/C to heat, back and forth.

I have an open case with FCA for several issues and just had my truck in the shop last week. They replaced the blower motor, and reprogramed the transmission again, and then told me that there is update to fix the Uconnect, but it is not available for the dealer to install it.

I get so frustrated because it seems like there is no diagnosis from mechanics anymore, if the computer says its good... then no problem found. There is no common sense being used. I don't know to blame the dealer or FCA.