Subaru Forester Air Conditioner No Cold Air

Lancerx on 05/12/2022 - 22:16
Last edited 06/12/2022 - 10:56 by 1 other user

Hi all, I have a Forester 2011. Recently aircon has been going crazy, blowing cold air on and off randomly, but more often just no cold air during hot days.

Previously, had an auto electrician checked the ac system. I was told it's not the compressor, relay switch or gas pressure issue. Apparently, something from inside the car is sending electrical signal on and off randomly to the relay box (if that makes sense). He wasn't sure which part to fix exactly, possibly thermostat or even faulty dual so he asked me to check with dealer, and warned me might be quite expensive to tear open the glove box to fix the issue.

Has anyone come across similar issue before? Mind guiding me in the right direction? Thanks

Automotive Car Subaru SUV

Comments

  • Euphemistic on 05/12/2022 - 23:24

    Is it climate control style or old school? I had a 2003 forester with climate control that would randomly not be cold. Adjusting the temp dial down then up would reset it. Can’t help with a solution as I sold he car before it got fixed, but it may be something with the control dial.

    • Lancerx on 06/12/2022 - 01:08

      It's the old school control type where you can't see the temperature number. I wish I didn't have to fix this, as my new car is coming next year. But it just have to happen to be in damn summer!

  • Mechz on 06/12/2022 - 06:17
    +3

    Try swapping in a new set of contols from the wreckers. Should just be plug and play if you know how to remove trim and use a screwdriver.

    • Lancerx on 06/12/2022 - 22:21

      I wish I do know, but I'd rather leave it to professionals for this one. But good to know wrecker is an option too. What should I ask for when calling wrecker?

  • Overclocked91 on 06/12/2022 - 07:30

    It randomly turns on and blows air then switches off again? Or do you turn it on, and the fan speed randomly changes without you changing the controls?

    • Lancerx on 06/12/2022 - 22:20

      Nope, it will stay on, but blow cold air in and out randomly. Mostly no cold air. Fan speed stays the same as per dial.

  • Brick50 on 06/12/2022 - 09:24

    Will the ac button light up? Had an 08 Impreza do something similar. Occasionally the compressor would turn on but rarely ever.
    It was the evaporator temp sensor under the dash.

    I unplugged the 2 pin connector and put a resistor in there which spoofed some kind of temp and then it would kick on.

    I tested everything including new controls, internal temp sensor on the dash etc

    • Lancerx on 06/12/2022 - 22:19

      AC button does light up. Was it hard to change the temp sensor under the dash. Sounds like a big job. How much did it cost you?

  • Euphemistic on 08/12/2022 - 13:54

    Other thing some cars have is a fan load sensor or something similar. It disables the AC if the air isn’t blowing enough to prevent it freezing up or something. The one on my Navara blew and the AC wouldn’t work on speed 1, then eventually 2 and then 3. Maybe research this for your model.

    For the Navara it was a 5min fix as the part was easy to reach under the glove box in the air ducting.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join