I learned today the insufficient A/C cooling problem on Duramax equipped trucks has been pinpointed to the accumulator. GM is coming out with a new one soon to correct the problem. Some have attempted to repair this with a different oriface tube and a lower refrigerent charge. GM recommends you wait for the new part instead.

ah sid, I see you sat in the emerging issues seminar this morning, I was gonna post it but you beat me to it.. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Eric

I am interested in knowing when GM comes out with this fix. I live in Texas where a good AC is necessary. I have been to the dealer with my 03 model for inadequate AC and they say every thing is in spec.

Which model year is this change for: 2001, 2002 or 2003?

Yes, I watched the 12:30 one.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


There will be a bulletin as soon as the part is available. I don't know which year this will cover. I can only assume all Duramaxes.

I think its all dmaxes also.. i watched the first one... the live version!!


How did you like the XM and onstar guys??? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif

Will this be a recall item, or are we out of luck if we have no warantee left. They should replace their screw-ups for free no matter what the mileage.

I think its all dmaxes also.. i watched the first one... the live version!!


How did you like the XM and onstar guys??? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif





Those smilies are them! I like how people were calling in asking non-onstar/XM questions.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Here's me untill they got to the truck issues--->http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Sleepy.gif

GMCSID or dmaxalliTech


Is this meeting or seminar something that all dealers or dealer service departments across the conutry do on a regular basis? Should I expect that my dealer personnel will have this info?


Thanks,


Jack

Will this be a recall item, or are we out of luck if we have no warantee left. They should replace their screw-ups for free no matter what the mileage.


Do either of you guys know this, and/or how much the part will be? My '01 has never had very good AC. If it's 95 out, i sometimes have the AC on level 4 (of 5) just to keep it cool. Thanks!

GMCSid, thanks for the info, fortunatly mine is still blowing cold air.


Off topic (sorry), but I noticed your signature said GMC Truck Center in Oakland. I used to work for the GMC Truck Center in Seattle before it was sold by GM (long long ago) to a third party. Is your dealership still factory owned? I had some pretty good times working for GMC.


The third party is gone now and there are no major GMC Truck dealerships here in Seattle, when I say Truck I mean Truck, not our little pickups.

We are privately owned. We used to have 2 truck centers, one in Oakland and one in San Jose. The San Jose store was closed a few years ago. We are a GMC, Volvo, Mack, Isuzu and Autocar dealer.

Will this be a recall item, or are we out of luck if we have no warantee left. They should replace their screw-ups for free no matter what the mileage.


Do either of you guys know this, and/or how much the part will be? My '01 has never had very good AC. If it's 95 out, i sometimes have the AC on level 4 (of 5) just to keep it cool. Thanks!





I think it will just be a TSB only. If you are out of warranty you will have to pay for the repair unless you can get a service manager to goodwill it for you. I don't have any more info about price or availability yet. I'm sure Dmaxallitech is keeping his eyes open for more info. I am and between us we will post info as soon as we know it.

I have an 03 and there was a TSB out that said they needed to remove some of the refrigerant. After the dealer did that it has worked fine.

I have an 04 and the AC barely cools things down when it gets above 90 degrees. I hope they have a fix before next summer. I just got rid of my Ford 6.0 because of engine troubles, but the AC did work good.

Did this AC problem happen from the start or did it take time to develop? I bought my truck in September so used the AC a bit before it cooled off and seemed to work ok.

This is interesting. I got my '03 last year and found the A/C quite strong. Either I'm cold-blooded or the problem hasn't popped up yet, or I just got a good one.

Mine takes a while to cool down and I seem to have to run it on a higher level on hot days like 4-5 fan. But I thought this was because of the new type of refridgerent.

I remember my old chevy stepside 350 from 1980 something. It would ice up the vents on level 1. Man it was too cold.

Mine seemed to work OK for the short period of time I used it. I have that dual climate control so don't really notice the fan speed.

Like Problemchild, I figured it was the new refergerent, until I did a test with my wif's 2003 Tahoe. It was 95+ outside I took a 4 mile run in both vehicles. By about 3 miles the Tahoe was cool enough that I could turn the temp setting to about 68, but the Duramax never did cool enough to change the settings. Right after that was when I figured it wqas something with the Duramax. If you do a search for insufficient cooling you will see there has been quite a bit about it.

Do they have the new fix out yet? If not does anyone know when it will be out? My truck suffers from the problem but was waiting until the new accumulkator was ready. Should I wait of go now?

Any News???


It won't stay Spring-like here in Dallas for long???


Later

I talked with my favorite GM mechanic about this problem. He indicated that he has replaced a large number of the low pressure switches mounted on the accumulator. It seems the ones with the brown band on the switch is the one that fails the most. I have an appointment to have mine replaced this week. I will let you know how this works out after the next hot day.

I broke down and took mine in today, it's been 100 degrees here in L.A. the last few days. I gave the service writer the TSB's on the problem. Soon as I pick it up I will post the results of the fix.

What are the TSB numbers you have? I have my tech look them up to see if they point to something not published before.

Check in the TSB forum. There are two. Gave both to the service writer.

I have had all the TSB stuff on my pickup, it did help a little. But my wife's Tahoe AC will freeze you out. The Duramax AC will kind of keep you a little cool, but it has a lot to be desired. I still think until GM comes out wtih the accumulator, your just wasting your time.

My inside sources tell me (on condition of anonymity) that the fix will be out... this winter. Stay tuned for more info.

I just read the TSB for this winter.
To all GM dealers for your customers to get sufficiant cooling during this winter, please have all customers roll down their windows. This will cool down all cabs to within spec, and will cost your dealer absolutely nothing. This is a warranty item and guaranteed to fix the problem of warm cabs.

Ahhh that must be the replacement for R-134 known as 4-90 air conditioning...

Got my truck back today. A/C seems to work much better. They replaced the low pressure switch, said it was causing the A/C compressor to cycle on and off.............mostly off if you ask me. Seems to have made a big difference but only time will tell. It was only 88 degrees when I picked it up and it's a fairly short drive home in traffic. Kept me cool though.


The thing that ticked me off was I also asked them to check my extending camper mirrors out. The right side wouldn't extend a while ago and it vibrates to much. They call and say your trucks done. Then tell me that they didn't look at the mitrrors because according to my VIN my truck didn't come with them and they thought they had been added after purchase. I assured them that was not the case and the writer said he would ask the boss. They still wouldn'nt work on them. Why they would call after they completed the work was beyond me. They wait untill they are done and then tell you, instead of inquiring earlier in the day. When I picked up the truck I showed the writer my window sticker with the power camper mirror option right on it. "well next time you bring it in maybe I can get them to look at it". Don't know that there will be a next time.

I pick my DMAX 3500 up this evening. Will let you all know how the A/C issue works out.


you're right about service depts. though! GM has worked hard to compete with the imports as far as quality, looks and passanger comfort etc. but their service depts still seem to live in the 70's. The customer is always stupid, trying to get something for nothing and if the computer can't find a problem there must not be one. I have been through 3 dealership service Depts, several thousand dollars and a whole lot of "You need to clean the fuel rail with this $77 wonder fuel cleaner (BG-44) only to finally out the problem was a fuel pump that broke down under load on my 99 Blazer. If they cant find it in 15 minutes the problem must not be there. Or what their realy saying is that I'm not making any money so I'm not looking for it any longer. So much for commisioned mechanics. Luckily I found one who got so interested he worked on his own time until he figured it out.

Let us know how your ACs are working. I have been to the dealer three times and they say it is working normal.


It will not cool the cab lower than 80 degrees when it is over 90 degrees outside and that's after driving for a while.


I think I will try another dealer!





Marco Polo

Marco, Seems to be working OK I was driving in in town traffic today. The thermometer was reading 92 outside. I had it on normal A/C and kept me comfortable. You couldn't hang meat in the cab but a big improvement. I hit the recirculate button and it dropped the temperature quite a bit and I had to turn it down. I'll be heading to Colorado in about a week so we will see how it handles the deserts.

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i have dual auto controls in my baby...if i turn the temp knob to 70F, i'll get frozen out!


gotta LOVE those heated seats in the winter http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif</TD></TR>
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is this for 2002 models too? because my ac sucks in the summer.

Pony Driver, you must be one of the few. My 03 has the dual auto controls, if I put mine on 65 it will kind of cool it off. The service manager at the dealership tells me he has done everything GM has suggested. And until they come out with the different accumulator he doesn't know anything else to do. A person would thing if GM told the techs there was a problem, they would be working on a fix!!!!!

I have the GM service bulletin which shows that the dealerhip needs to pull some freon out of the system and change to the Suburban expansion valve. I had it done to my 03 and it blows 29 degrees (heat gun) when it was 80 outside. I also have the dual zone LT controls.


PM me if you want the exact details of the service info. My AC works great now. I just got back from Havasu, 104 outside and I was wearing a sweat shirt inside the truck.

I got my 03 back from the dealer last thursday. I was 96 yesterday. The A/C didn't cool any better than before. If anyone has any solid GM info on this, the tech said he would be glad to try but he has done all his GM info suggests. I told the quality control people I was not satisfied.

Hasselback


Please post the service bulletin on the air conditioning fix. I am planning on going to the dealer for a couple of things and it would be nice to fix the air conditioning too.


Thanks

My scanner is down, but the bulletin is #02-01-38-007A (6-5-03)


They pulled my freon from 1.8 lbs to 1.6 lbs, and installed orfice tube #52477004

This bulliten is posted in this forum under TSB's. Unless you have a different copy than what is posted, it does not say anything about an orfice change. Does your copy show the part change or did you get that info from some other source? I mentioned the TSB to my dealer but he did not change the orfice, only replaced the low pressure switch and recharged. No real change in cooling though.





TSB forum


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=238&amp;PN=2

My friend owns a chevolet dealer in Texas, where I bought the truck and a month later he sent me the bulletin and said take the truck to the local chevy dealer and get the ac fixed. The bulletin does not actually say change to the suburban orfice, however if the service writer calls Tech Asst., gets a case number, and tells them that all the items in the bulletin were checked and it still blows warm, they will be instructed to replace the orfice and given a case number. I have done this now on two trucks and the difference is amazing. I would be happy to fax you my dealers labor instructions that you can give to your service writer and show him exactly what needs to be done. The difference in cooling is very noticable. PM me with your fax number if you need it.

Hasselbach,


Thanks for the info. I will take it in next week and see if the Suburban orfice works. I will let you know the results.


Cheers,


Marco Polo

Mine goes in tomorrow morning, I printed hasselbach's post about the suburban orifice. Not warm enough here right now to test it. I had to take it in for other things so decided to have them check it out. Last summer they told me everything is OK and it is working good. I drove it the next 90 degree day and same old thing just a little cooling.

I had to have some of the coolant taken out of mine before it would cool right. The dealers know about it if you ask them, but they won't volunteer any information on their own.

Not to ask a stupid question but why would less freon make it cool better?

Freon is not what cools your truck, it’s only the media used to transport heat out of the interior of your truck. The compressor takes the Freon and compresses it to a liquid at about 250 psi, which creates heat. By flowing this super heated liquid through the condenser, the highly compressed Freon (now in liquid state) is cooled (but still under considerable pressure). Then the Freon is routed through a tiny orifice which once again converts it to a gas and when liquid is converted to gas, it takes energy to do so, thus absorbing heat out of the air. (ever notice when you use spray paint the can gets cold?). If you have too much pressure in the system, the Freon is unable to efficiently turn into a gas (low pressures in a AC system are in the 25 to 40 psi depending on the outside temps) and therefore the conversion into a gaseous state is diminished and the amount of heat that the Freon absorbs is limited. Chevy found that a smaller orifice with less freon in the system helped increase the efficiency of the AC unit.

signed, Dr. ACEdited by: hasselbach

Quick question, I have a 2002 Chevy 2500 HD D/A with Automatic A/C. The thing I think is weird, my dial where you set the temp is in Celsius? Why? It's an American model, came from Ga.


Anyone else have one in Celsius? Can I replace the knob at the dealership?

Did you buy the truck new?

packfan, I can do that in my 2003 with the DIC and steering wheel controls, but it changes everything to meteric, not just the Heater temp control.

I just picked my truck up from Dealership. They called Tech Asst., well Tech Asst. would not authorize them to put the suburban orifice in it, they said that isn't working on all the Duramax's and they will be coming out with a fix soon!!!!!

I bought the truck used with 18K mi. I did a Carfax search and know the vehicle came from Ga.


Anyway my Auto A/C is NOT digital, it's a knob with numbers.

Well I am back from Colorado and the trip out crossing the desert it only got to 103 or so. Worked fine and I didn't have to run it that hard to stay cool. I have the dual digital controls and usually have both sides linked to kep things even. Did some slower driving in 100 tems in Colorado and it did much better than before but probaby not as good as I think it should. When the fix comes out I'll probably still take it in for it.

thought mine was doin good till it got 95 here yesterday, didnt get cool until the end of 20 minute ride......

Hey Guys,


Does anyone know if the Weak A/C TSB covers the gassers too? I have one and like everyone else, the A/C stinks. It seems that when you first start up and let it idle, warm air comes out the vents and you hear a hissing sound for a couple of seconds. After a while, the hot air becomes cooler...Drives me nuts.

Mine works good after working all day in 90 + degs maxed it. thought i was going to get frost bite

Anyone else notice their AC warms up when the truck is left sitting idling? Mine has done this to me several times but cools down once underway.

Dutch 110, this is typical when the condenser is too small for the application. If there is no air flow across the condenser, the ac unit can't pull heat from the inside of the car. I wonder if a large fan in front of the car would add value..

Does anyone know the numbers of the TSB so I could inform the local dealer? I have taken my 3500 in x2 and they say nothing is wrong as the pressures check out fine. Today it was 95 outside and my a/c would not get the truck cool at all....hi 80's. they say they have never heard anyone else complain of the a/c in the truck and have no TSB 's

Thor -


Check out the forum's TSB section. The entire TSB has been posted by one of honorable GM Techs.


My truck is now on day 15 of sitting at the dealership waiting for the parts to do the A/C TSB. There are some other items that need to be fixed but they are still waiting for parts on those items also. At least I've been provided a new 05' Tahoe by the dealership to drive around in until its fixed.


I miss having my truck, but I still cringe everytime the GM Injector Monkeyhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif thats sitting on my shoulder whispers sweet nothings in my ear.

If anyone has had to dish out $$ for the TSB air conditioner fix, how much does it cost for the repair? I'm at 42K miles on my 2003.

Have you ever had it into a GM dealer to have them check your AC? If it is documented you might get then to cover it for you. Another way to try to get the General to cover it. Go ask service manager at your local dealership, and ask his about it, it is a fact they admit there is a problem, he may be able to help you there. I would sure try to get it covered under warranty.

I brought mine in yesterday because it was blowing hot air out of the passenger vents. I also mentioned that it was not really cold in general. The replaced the accumulator as well as the control panel and some wire or connector under the hood.