Hello,

Over the past several weeks, I've noticed a decrease in the functionality of the air condition in my 2000 Dodge Stratus SE. The air conditioning used to be ice cold but now struggles to get below 65 degrees.

I added approximately 3 ounces of refrigerant to the air condition system to bring it up to factory specifications. One of the capped valves was leaking which was tightened. Still, 65 - 70 degrees is as cold as it will go. The temperature used to reach down into the mid to upper-40's.

I also borrowed and placed gauges on the car to check the high-side and low-side pressures. The low-side pressure was within specifications and so was the high-side when first started before shooting up above what is normal. The pipes running back from the compressor are ice cold and full of sweat in the heat/humidity.

So, my question is what could possibly be the problem since I am getting some air conditioning but not what is normal? I thought possibly it is the expansion valve not working properly or clogged drier but then again, I am not a mechanic and HVAC is complex. I can also tell you that the heater core was replaced on the car not that long ago but it is hard to believe that could be related (the heat works great!)

Any advice anyone has is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Don't know if you have cured your problem yet but I had the same thing happen to my 05 Stratus and it turned out to be the doors that carry the air to the vents weren't operating right. There is a fuse in the junction box on the drivers end of the dash that we pulled out and waited a short time and put it back in and this reset the doors and it is cold as ice again.

 

Thank you for the follow-up information. I ended up fixing my A/C problem about a week ago, it was the expansion valve. Apparently it did not open or close as it should which limited my A/C. Now I'm enjoying temperatures in the low-50's again.

 

Hello I had same issue A/C started to loose coldness at end of year left it because wasn't so hot out however next summer system had great pressure so I did the obvious pressure washed A/C radiator thing in from of coolant radiator and it was so cold I couldn't take it over time bugs and whatnot get clogged up in the condenser and can't cool off this problem is easy to fix only take minutes and should be done twice a year but hardly anyone ever does it since this I've fixed dozens of friends and family the same way and best part it simple and free or at most a couple bucks at car wash and it should be done anyway so it's only gonna improve the situation even if you have other issues that's one of the biggest and even grandma could do it.sounds to simple to be true huh well try it and let me know I am positive it will improve even if it's working good I bet it will get colder