If you replace the compressor, be aware that any debris left over from a previous failure can shorten its life. Lubricants can either be installed in incorrect amounts (too much / too little), leak from hoses or connections, or break down due to contamination. Of course, not having enough lubricant is also a problem. In fact, adding too much oil can be detrimental and should be avoided. At that point you may notice belt squealing as the compressor seizes.Īmazingly, compressors utilize just a few ounces of lubricant. Topping off the A/C system annually without adding lubricant assures a slow compressor death. Remember this bit of advice: every time refrigerant leaks out, so does a portion of the system’s lubricating oil.

In the early stages of compressor failure, you will likely notice diminished cooling as the refrigerant level drops off. Compressors are the workhorses of the A/C system and are subjected to high temperatures and high PSI in their efforts to keep us cool. The last of the most common C5 A/C issues is compressor failure due to leakage. Intermittent lighting of the center LED display is a dead giveaway that there are cold solder joints acting up.Ĭorvette Central can repair the digital readout of the heater air control for you just look for part number 455220. Like all incandescent bulbs today, don’t expect them to last more than five years. Fourteen incandescent along with five LED bulbs are soldered into the circuit boards. Cold solder joints and failed backlight bulbs are the typical problem. In this case, you will need to either replace the A/C control panel or have it repaired. It certainly is difficult to set the HVAC system to your desired temperature when the control panel is entirely blank. This is another common problem many C5 owners face. To date, we have not encountered any binding or stuck door issues, but anything is possible. A set of pliers can be used to test the operation of the door using a set of pliers on the rod is a more accurate way of ensuring that the shaft is not binding. Replacing the actuator is a moot point if the door is stuck. Two blend actuators, ( part number 455093), are required per car.īefore you replace the electronic temperature door actuator, check to make sure that the door is not sticking. Another failure is a complete lack of temperature control. A faulty electronic temperature actuator can easily cause vehicle occupants to believe they are experiencing a health problem because the temperature is likely to randomly alternate between cold and hot. The mat absorbs battery acid and neutralizes it.Īn inability to obtain the temperature you desire is usually the fault of the electronic temperature door actuator. To sleep soundly at night, a battery mat ( Corvette Central part number 171002) is highly recommended. The main electrical harness, Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and Traction Control Module (TCM) are housed beneath the battery and battery tray, making battery leaks a costly affair. If you or someone else has recently worked in this area and you now have a vacuum leak and A/C troubles, this is definitely an area to check out. Notice the vacuum fitting adjacent to the oil sending unit. This is the back of the intake where the oil sending unit is located. Here is to hoping that your air delivery problem is only the result of a minor vacuum loss!

These situations are not to be taken lightly because not only can they damage vacuum tubing and cause a vacuum leak and subsequent A/C issue, they can severely damage your main electrical harness, Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Traction Control Module (TCM) that reside under the battery. Oh, if we should all be so lucky that the issue can be resolved so simply! Unfortunately, on the other side of the spectrum there are the nightmare scenarios such as an extensive battery acid leak. If you or another person recently worked near the rear of the engine, for example on the intake manifold, it is quite possible that a vacuum line was either intentionally or unintentionally removed. On the minor end of the scale would be vacuum hoses that have been inadvertently disconnected. These problems range from the relatively benign to potentially catastrophic. The four most common A/C problems C5 Corvettes experience (aside from low Freon levels) are air delivery problems, temperature control issues, malfunctioning A/C control panels, and compressor failure.Īir delivery problems are generally the result of a loss of vacuum.

Although it is still chilly in many areas, now is the time to tackle any pesky A/C issues your C5 may have before the toasty warmth of summer returns. Turbo whine when accelerating.Spring is just around the corner and as the temperature rises, so does our desire for an A/C system that performs at optimal levels.

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