So about that air conditioning...

[steeledknight]

A/C Issues

I've recently having an intermittent problem with my air conditioning not working. Sometimes when I turn on my car, underneath the time on my headunit it will say -20 degrees Fahrenheit or something else ridiculously cold and the A/C will only blow ambient temp air. I thought my A/C might be freezing up but the high and low pressure A/C pipes are WARM! I took it to the dealership to get it worked out and the could not recreate the issue. When I got it back it was ok for a few days then started up again. I'm thinking it's a bad sensor or wire harness. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[jchasp59]

I've recently having an intermittent problem with my air conditioning not working. Sometimes when I turn on my car, underneath the time on my headunit it will say -20 degrees Fahrenheit or something else ridiculously cold and the A/C will only blow ambient temp air. I thought my A/C might be freezing up but the high and low pressure A/C pipes are WARM! I took it to the dealership to get it worked out and the could not recreate the issue. When I got it back it was ok for a few days then started up again. I'm thinking it's a bad sensor or wire harness. Anyone else had this problem?

I've read of other people having many different problems with the A/C, and possibility of a recall, but your problem sounds unique. My advice, before you start your car, pull out your phone and start it's video camera. At least you can have visual proof of the unusual temperature reading. In my Fiat 500, the A/C will not work below 30 degrees F. I don't know if the Sonic has a a similar limit, but perhaps it does and a faulty sensor or connection is making the A/C think that it's too cold outside to operate. The temperature sensor for that readout is in the lower, lefthand side of the grill (when you're facing the car.) Make sure that it's clean, and doesn't appear damaged.
I'm having problems with my A/C switching from recirculate to outside air, and back again. Does this cycle several times a day, it all takes place in less than 30 seconds, and with no indicators changing.
The dealer can't reproduce/find anything wrong with mine, either.
Good luck!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I've recently having an intermittent problem with my air conditioning not working. Sometimes when I turn on my car, underneath the time on my headunit it will say -20 degrees Fahrenheit or something else ridiculously cold and the A/C will only blow ambient temp air. I thought my A/C might be freezing up but the high and low pressure A/C pipes are WARM! I took it to the dealership to get it worked out and the could not recreate the issue. When I got it back it was ok for a few days then started up again. I'm thinking it's a bad sensor or wire harness. Anyone else had this problem?

I do apologize for any inconvenience caused by this issue, especially in the midst of summer. Please contact us with your name, VIN#, and concerns if you would like us to look into it for you. I hope your weekend goes well.

Matt (Assisting Vanessa)

GM Customer Service

 

[steeledknight]

I've read of other people having many different problems with the A/C, and possibility of a recall, but your problem sounds unique. My advice, before you start your car, pull out your phone and start it's video camera. At least you can have visual proof of the unusual temperature reading. In my Fiat 500, the A/C will not work below 30 degrees F. I don't know if the Sonic has a a similar limit, but perhaps it does and a faulty sensor or connection is making the A/C think that it's too cold outside to operate. The temperature sensor for that readout is in the lower, lefthand side of the grill (when you're facing the car.) Make sure that it's clean, and doesn't appear damaged.
I'm having problems with my A/C switching from recirculate to outside air, and back again. Does this cycle several times a day, it all takes place in less than 30 seconds, and with no indicators changing.
The dealer can't reproduce/find anything wrong with mine, either.
Good luck!

My bumper was repaired soon after I got my car(It was hit in Kmart parking lot ). I'll check on that sensor

 

[trueblazer94]

A/C stopped working!

With just 3,000 miles on the car, I was sitting in traffic last weekend in NJ waiting for the Holland tunnel and the A/C COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING for at least a minute or two. It was nothing but hot air. How does this happen on a new car? Should I take it back to the dealer to be inspected? Granted, I was idling in 100+ degrees weather in a black car but STILL I don't feel like this should've happened. My 93 civic del sol's A/C would cut out once and a while, but I could understand that completely. On a new car however, not so much. Since that day, though, the A/C has been nice and cold.

Any thoughts/feedback are appreciated.

1.8L Hatchback Automatic

 

[Ab09]

It kind of sucks that our motor temp guages are just a dummy light that comes on... Do u have a scan guage or ultra guage?

 

[Eric Smit]

Your car might have overheated. If I'm not mistaken, and no I don't welcome corrections on this, the A/C will cut out and blow full heat to try to draw away heat from the engine. It probably did have something to do with you sitting in traffic in the heat.


-Eric Smit

 

[Ab09]

Eric... Thats what I was getting at also!

 

[Eric Smit]

Eric... Thats what I was getting at also!

That's what I figured.


-Eric Smit

 

[jchasp59]

Just took my Sonic in to have the A/C checked (not cooling/cycling from recycle to fresh to recycle on it's own.) The Service writer said that my coolant was low and coolant was added. But the paperwork only states a "perfomance check, ok now", and no units for R134a or labor...
My A/C still isn't cooling as it should. Haven't driven it enough today to see if I'm still experiencing the 'cycling' issue.
Frustrating to be lied to by the 'stealership'!

 

[seanp1]

Just took my Sonic in to have the A/C checked (not cooling/cycling from recycle to fresh to recycle on it's own.) The Service writer said that my coolant was low and coolant was added. But the paperwork only states a "perfomance check, ok now", and no units for R134a or labor...
My A/C still isn't cooling as it should. Haven't driven it enough today to see if I'm still experiencing the 'cycling' issue.
Frustrating to be lied to by the 'stealership'!

Sounds like you need to fill out a customer survey for this experience.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Just took my Sonic in to have the A/C checked (not cooling/cycling from recycle to fresh to recycle on it's own.) The Service writer said that my coolant was low and coolant was added. But the paperwork only states a "perfomance check, ok now", and no units for R134a or labor...
My A/C still isn't cooling as it should. Haven't driven it enough today to see if I'm still experiencing the 'cycling' issue.
Frustrating to be lied to by the 'stealership'!

If you would like I can contact the dealership to check into the matter if you're still not satisfied. Please private message me your VIN#.

Let us know how the A/C works after driving it a bit.

Vanessa,
Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Ryanizzle]

I and passengers I've driven have noticed that the A/C never goes freezing cold right away. In a brand new car, I'd expect the a/c to take maybe 5-10 seconds to start up before it becomes ice cold, but in my sonic, it takes about 15-20 seconds for moderately cold air to blow. Eventually, it gets pretty cold, but like I said, I'd expect a brand new car to do better.

I'm already taking the car to a dealer on Monday, but I'm just asking- has anyone else had this problem, or am I putting way too high of expectations on the a/c system of a entry-level GM car?

 

[1967stella]

I do still.. I have 6k on the clock now... If its really hot in the car open all the windows cause ad let the hot air out then the ac usually gets colder for me. My wife and i both are not pleased with the AC but this makes it a little colder and quiker? Idk if its just coincidence tho.

 

[Leverus]

My AC takes quite a while to cool down my car and does feel a bit weak. It's one of the things I'm going to have the dealer look at when I get my oil changed. I think there were some posts here about the refrigerant being low in some units or something, so maybe that's it.

 

[J T]

I and passengers I've driven have noticed that the A/C never goes freezing cold right away. In a brand new car, I'd expect the a/c to take maybe 5-10 seconds to start up before it becomes ice cold, but in my sonic, it takes about 15-20 seconds for moderately cold air to blow. Eventually, it gets pretty cold, but like I said, I'd expect a brand new car to do better.

I'm already taking the car to a dealer on Monday, but I'm just asking- has anyone else had this problem, or am I putting way too high of expectations on the a/c system of a entry-level GM car?

You're complaining because it's only "moderately cold" in 15 seconds? Do you complain in the winter when the air isn't heated instantly as well?

 

[Aldakoopa]

I was driving the other day when it was 110 outside, and my A/C was only blowing out a little cool air. After a few minutes of worrying about the A/C, I then realised I had it set on vent instead of recirculate so it was trying to cool down 110 degree air. Hit the button to recirculate, and BOOM! Instant drop in temperature that made it nice and comfy.

 

[Ryanizzle]

Yeah, I've always had a/c and recirculate both on- I know how to use a/c, I wouldn't be making big deal about it if I didn't lol

You're complaining because it's only "moderately cold" in 15 seconds? Do you complain in the winter when the air isn't heated instantly as well?

I'm just gonna tell them to check freeon levels with the a/c system in case I get a service rep who wants to be a smartass like J T here =P

 

[J T]

I'm just gonna tell them to check freeon levels with the a/c system in case I get a service rep who wants to be a smartass like J T here =P

By the way, I checked how long it took to blow sufficiently cold air today and it was at least 2-3 minutes. I didn't think anything of it. The AC in this car blows away that of which I had in my Mazda 3, so I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Eric Smit]

I'm with JT here. My air blows the exact same as yours, and it's perfectly acceptable. I haven't ever had a car instantly blow freezing cold air, although I have had cars take SIGNIFICANTLY longer than 15 seconds (read, 86 Fiero).