C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

A/C Problem or Not?

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Old Jul 13, 2012 | 09:28 PM
  #1  
jetta02awp's Avatar
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From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
A/C Problem or Not?

Hey Everyone,

I got my 02 coupe on Monday and the last couple days it seems that the A/C is not that cold at idle. Today I confirmed this by using a temperature probe in the center vents. It was 90 degrees outside today and at idle the temp would only drop to around 70 degrees and then when I start driving it drops down to 48-50. Then if I stop the temp will rise back up to around 58-60 until I start moving again.

I've been searching online since I got home from work and found that a cause of this is air not being passed over the condenser. The radiator fan is working and the engine is not overheating. I am at a loss with this.

I checked the freon pressure and everything is good there.

Does this sound normal or could there be something wrong?

I was reading all different car forums about this issue and a post on a honda forum said "if you think your a/c sucks, try a german car" My jetta's a/c is the not greatest but works better than this.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-Nick
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 01:49 AM
  #2  
Peydidy's Avatar
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From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
My AC is all messed up too. Mine just doesn't blow cold though. Trying to figure it out too, good luck
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 04:02 PM
  #3  
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Is it as simple as needing a recharge? I don't know the German car joke.. All my Hondas had sucky A/C systems but my W203's is frigid and works fine.

Now the BMW is another story.
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 05:26 PM
  #4  
jetta02awp's Avatar
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From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Is it as simple as needing a recharge? I don't know the German car joke.. All my Hondas had sucky A/C systems but my W203's is frigid and works fine.

Now the BMW is another story.
I checked the pressure and its right where it should be.

my jettas ac has never been ice cold since it was new.


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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #5  
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Is it as simple as needing a recharge? I don't know the German car joke.. All my Hondas had sucky A/C systems but my W203's is frigid and works fine.

Now the BMW is another story.
When I got my 320i way back when, there was a story about BMW air conditioning.

The dealers kept getting complaints but the A/Cs checked out fine. They kicked it up to the next level and they couldn't find any problems either. Finally they got so many complaints they went to the factory and when they'd heard enough, they sent to engineers to find out what was going on. They picked them up in Dallas in the August - in a 5 series with broken/disabled rear electric windows. When the engineers asked the driver to turn up the A/C - and it was going full blast - they realized they really did have a problem!

I would hope they are better now!
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 08:48 PM
  #6  
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It is adequate, barely, in the black/black 1-series. The Mercedes is better. The Lexus might be the worst one, though.
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 11:03 PM
  #7  
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The Benz should achieve 6 to 8 degrees celcius at the vents idling. Any colder than that & it will freeze the evapourator & you will loose airflow.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:35 PM
  #8  
jetta02awp's Avatar
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From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
So, tonight on my way home from work, it was 90 degrees and the ride home was not comfortable at all. Turns out I was misreading my home/auto pressure gauge. It turns out it was a bit low. I put a 12oz in and it was running at 40 degrees at 90 ambient temp with high humidity. Hopefully the leak is very small and it will last the summer.
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