Air Conditioning Problem !

[Alpha Wolf]

:mad:


Driving back from Sacramento last weekend in 100 deg heat. We were forced to stop in heavy traffic. Then just when we needed the a/c the most it just switched itself off and would not come on. Just started blowing hot underhood air that was hotter than the outside temp

Then after we started moving again, it turned itself back on again.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know what the cause is and how to fix this so it will not quit on me?

[BaconNeggs]

This is probably the engine saving itself from overheating. If you're still, that means there's no airflow through the radiator to cool the engine.

If it doesn't happen at any other time I would call it a safety feature rather than a malfunction.

[Raider]

Have not heard of that option. I say take it to the dealer.

[Alpha Wolf]

The engine temp did not move above normal so why would it shut the a/c off?

If it was up near hot I could understand that but the engine temp gauge was still reading what is does normally below the 1/2 mark toward the C.

I have owned a number of cars in my 30+ years of driving. All but 2 having a/c.

Not one of those cars ever shut off the a/c while idling even in temperatures over 115 deg. These included a Trans Am, C2500 Extended Cab Chevy Pickup, New Beetle, Subaru Turbo Baja and Geo Metro LSI.

While the Geos a/c has trouble keeping the car cool in 100+ deg day when stopped, it is still blowing cool air and then blows colder air when moving. I realize the air flow increases the capacity of the a/c to cool the air. So if it merely was less cold when stopped I could under stand but to start blowing air which is noticeably hotter than the outside with the a/c on is wrong.

Either this is due to some problem specific to my car or it has an engineered in feature that makes this car nearly useless to anyone who must drive slowly in hot weather which severly impacts who would want one.

I expect that since GM, Subaru, VW, Suzuki all created cars with a/c that worked under these exact same route and temperatures for Mazda to market a car with "a/c" that shuts off when it gets hot enough you really need it is unacceptible to me. It is inconceivable to me that Mazda cannot create an a/c unit that will work on a 100deg whether or not you are moving or not. Since all the above manufactures have done so. It is not only possible, but expected.

[shadow1]

Take it to the dealer. They can do a computer check of the ECU control of the AC for any diagnostic codes.

[Alpha Wolf]

I will. I just hope it is not one of the "we cannot duplicate it and therefore cannot fix it" things...

I will hope for the best and post what occurs.

[satz]

hi alphawolf
sorry to hear abt the AC issues

I'm worried about that too, as we get similar temps here. I can't imagine any car maker having an AC that quits working when it's hot outside!

what's the point! imagine being caught in a traffic jam in mid-summer...

cheers

satz

[satz]

hi again

I thought there was a TSB that had something to do with the AC cutting off and blowing warm air. Now I can't find that particular TSB!

I have a feeling it was relevant to the non-climate control versions...

if anyone has a link to that TSB please post it..

cheers

S

[Alpha Wolf]

hi alphawolf
sorry to hear abt the AC issues

I'm worried about that too, as we get similar temps here. I can't imagine any car maker having an AC that quits working when it's hot outside!

what's the point! imagine being caught in a traffic jam in mid-summer...

cheers

satz


Which is exactly my point and why I want this resolved.
If there is a TSB covering it that would help me when I take it in and prevent any wasted trips to the dealer.

[satz]

as far as I'm aware this is a complete list of TSBs:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/cx7/docs/


and I'm sure that I originally found the AC one here, but I can't seem to find it now



S

[Alpha Wolf]

Please post the TSB if you find one... I would appreciate it! ;)


Believe it or not, I posted this on another Mazda forum hoping someone may have experienced this or knew of a TSB.

Instead they tried to tell me this was normal for all cars...

When I posted back that as I know how a/c works and that it is unacceptable for a cars a/c to cut off when you need it the most. A guy posted back calling me an ass hole and what a jerk I was and for me to stop *****ing. etc...

Funny maybe they are all young on those sites and when told that this should not be normal and has not been normal with any car I have owned over 30+ years of driving over the same roads in the same or hotter conditions they feel offended...

Oh well, it takes all kinds I guess...

List a problem and say you are not happy about it and get attacked as an ass hole for being *****y about a Mazda...

Man I guess they are just wound up a bit too tight... ;)


Anyway I do appreciate any assistance you can provide or suggestions on what is occurring and how to correct it.

[satz]

http://www.mstore2000.com/PDF_Files/07-004-06-1700.pdf

found it at last on another website!

Seems to be relevant to both the Auto and Manual AC systems


Hope this sorts your AC


Satz

[Raider]

So yup, as stated in my original post, dealer time!

[Alpha Wolf]

Thanks for the TSB.... :D


Love those TSBs...

[satz]

hi alpha wolf

just checking whether you'd sorted out the AC problem?

If so, what was the cause?


cheers


satz

[Alpha Wolf]

Had the mod done but I have not had a chance again to drive in traffic in 100 deg plus temps yet to see if it is fixed.

I will post when I do either way..