Expert: Roland Finston - 7/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a 01 Sebring coupe 3.0L Manual and A/C is innop and the little light in the center of the temp dial that you push to turn on the a/c system just blinks and it blows warm are. Some days it works just fine light stay on and no problems then other days when it is working it will just start blinking and then it starts blowing warm air. Any ideas. I would think it has a good charge because when it is working its cold not cool but never had a/c recovered and weighed. Seems like electrical problem but who knows. any advice would be great. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jake,
My thought would be that you are low on the refrigerant charge. I'll look in the manual and if I see something more likely I'll get back shortly. Otherwise go to an AC shop and have that checked out.
You don't remove the refrigerant and weigh it, rather you simply measure the pressure in the system with a gauge. The capacity of the system is 24.7 to 26.1 ounces, and the low pressure cut off occurs when the pressure is below 29 psi, and will re-connect the compressor when it is above 32 psi. There is also a high pressure cut off switch but that is not likely the problem here.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Does that blinking light mean anything when I push the a/c button and its not working or could it be related to low freon? Just weird how it works good some days and not other other days?? I did check owner manual and it said if light was blinking to shut of car and then restart and see if problem is still there and if it was to bring to a dealership...

Answer
Hi Jake,
Unfortunately the manual text doesn't say what the light means, or even mentions it. I looked at the wiring diagrams and see it is shown there are two different bulb filaments that are wired separately into two pins of the automatic compressor control unit in the cabin, but it doesn't indicate which aspect of the compressor function they represent. If could be compressor belt is loose as I believe I told you earlier, or it could be that the refrigerant is low in the system or even something more esoteric like the rpm sensor. It is not going to be a single possible cause indicator from what I see. So that again is why I suggest that you check the drive belt and then check the refrigerant charge level. If you have a volt-ohm meter there are other tests you can do on the circuit.
Roland