2000 Forester A/C question

[ruzicka]

I just purchased a used 2000 Forester and need a question answered regarding
the A/C.

I live out in the Denver area, so it can get quite hot at times under the
direct sun (~1 mi less atmosphere to filter it!). I've noticed that the A/C
seems to not cool as much (or not at all) when I'm sitting idling for a
period of time (eg. waiting for someone in a store or in the local gas
station car wash). Most of the time though, the A/C is fine. In fact, when
the sun isn't trying to burn a hole through the roof, it can get downright
chilly in the car!

Is this a normal thing or is it a sign the A/C is about to completely die on
me soon? Does the A/C in a Forester turn off the chilling part to save
energy or something? Or maybe when the compressor itself gets a bit too
hot?

Any and all pertinent info would be greatly appreciated for this newbie
Subaru owner!

P. Ruzicka
Aurora, CO

 

[jb]

Well, mine is temperamental at times.
02 FXS, climate control.

Sometimes it feels the need to cryogenically freeze me out of nowhere,
almost always on already cold days, and the warm-up time for the climate
control feels like forever on a hot day.

Perhaps get it checked by a dealer, doesn't sound like it's out of gas if it
still cools down.

Quite possible the compressor turns off at idle; or the alternator is not
turning fast enough to supply enough power.

Does the engine speed increase when you turn the aircon on? Turn the AC off,
leave your car running for a short while (20-30secs) then turn it back on.
Idle speed should increase slightly to allow the alternator to supply enough
power.

-mark

 

[Edward Hayes]

I live in sunny SW Florida and yes my AC is not the greatest if I'm
parked in 95 degree sun and the engine is idling. To maximize the
cooling under those conditions I usually keep the recalculate feature
on and crack a window about 1 inch. If that isn't enough then I will
keep the compressor running faster by keeping the engine rpm at
1500-2000.

 

[Kurt C. Hack]

I have a similar issue on my 2002. However, I was able to track it back
to the alternator not supplying enough power. If you watch your voltage
at idle with the air on vs. not, you will see a good 1.5v difference.
Unfortunately, the only solution is a better alternator, which I'm not
going to bother with until this one dies. Recirc does help a lot though!

My girlfriend's Passat has the same issue too, but her's is related to
the compressor not turning fast enough at idle. So her solution is to
slightly rev the engine. (Which also works on the Scoobaru too)

-Kurt

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Confirm that both 'radiator' fans are working. Also, if its like my
wife's OBW, there is a photocell somewhere on the top of the dash. Just
make sure it isn't blocked by some paperwork, tras or a dashcover or
something. It supposedly measures solar loading.

Carl

 

[Mike]

Sounds normal if it happens to a *small* degree: if you are stuck at a long
light and it's real hot then engine temps will build up under the hood and
colder air will not be passing as much (since there is less air-flow w/o
foreword motion) and the delta-T goes down... so in effect the A/C is much
less efficient, and thus less cold. With miles, though, as Freon slowly
leaks and pressure in the system slowly drops it will have a greater effect
than when the car was spanking new.

 

[ruzicka]

Well, mine is temperamental at times.
02 FXS, climate control.

Sometimes it feels the need to cryogenically freeze me out of nowhere,
almost always on already cold days, and the warm-up time for the climate
control feels like forever on a hot day.

Perhaps get it checked by a dealer, doesn't sound like it's out of gas if
it
still cools down.

Quite possible the compressor turns off at idle; or the alternator is not
turning fast enough to supply enough power.

Does the engine speed increase when you turn the aircon on? Turn the AC
off,
leave your car running for a short while (20-30secs) then turn it back on.
Idle speed should increase slightly to allow the alternator to supply
enough
power.

-mark

Yes, I can see a slight change on the tach when I power the A/C on and off.

 

[ruzicka]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what exactly do you mean about the
"recalculate feature"?

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Recirculate = pulls air from the cabin rather than the outside. The button
with the curved arrow turning back on itself near your AC on/off button does
it.

 

[ruzicka]

LOL I didn't realize that he meant recirculate, instead of recalculate!