How cold A/C?

[Chris M]

How cold should the AC air be? Do I need a special thermometer?
I have a '21 XLT that just doesn't seem to make much progress cooling down lately. I realize it should be a bit more difficult when we are at or near 115 degrees here, but even around 100 degrees in the morning the truck just doesn't cool down a lot.

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[TxOTRRanger]

How cold should the AC air be? Do I need a special thermometer?
I have a '21 XLT that just doesn't seem to make much progress cooling down lately. I realize it should be a bit more difficult when we are at or near 115 degrees here, but even around 100 degrees in the morning the truck just doesn't cool down a lot.

Don't get me to liein' Chris. I have gotten where I keep the thermostat in the truck at 75 degrees. It keeps it cool enough in the summer and warm enough in winter when I have the heater on. My 2 cents, fwiw.

 

[Superspirit]

Watching as mine doesn't seem as cold as it was this year either. We're upper 90's to mid 100's and it isn't near as cool as the wife's ST or as my vette.

 

[Chris M]

Don't get me to liein' Chris. I have gotten where I keep the thermostat in the truck at 75 degrees. It keeps it cool enough in the summer and warm enough in winter when I have the heater on. My 2 cents, fwiw.

I keep my temperature set on "low" all year except for what passes for the dead of "Winter" here, when I may set it on 60 to 65 a time or two. Most times then I leave it on low, with fan speed 1, normal outside air, with heated seat on.

But in the summer I need a bit more cooling than I am getting now.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I keep my temperature set on "low" all year except for what passes for the dead of "Winter" here, when I may set it on 60 to 65 a time or two. Most times then I leave it on low, with fan speed 1, normal outside air, with heated seat on.

But in the summer I need a bit more cooling than I am getting now.

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[Fordup]

Mine has never been really cold. The black interior takes a half hour to stop emitting heat when over 95 degrees out. Fan must be left on high if driving into the sun. Black interiors push the limits of a Rangers AC when warmer out I have found.

 

[Superspirit]

Well, I have installed camo seat covers no black interior left in mine except dash and console.

 

[JimG_AZ]

If you have a thermometer, see what the temperature of the air is coming out of the vents. Also, is the temperature consistent across all four vents? An infrared laser thermometer is perfect for this. You can get one from Harbor Freight for under $25. I'll have to check the temperature on mine, but it should around 40-50 degrees from the vents. On our extreme hot days, it may be closer to 55 degrees coming out of the vents.

 

[underwhelmed]

Funny this thread appeared today. Last night I thought to myself that my AC isn’t cooling like it used to. It is 7 years old. Maybe time for a Freon fill?

 

[airline tech]

From my climate control thread

AC:
In Manual Mode - Drive the Temp (LO) and you should see a low Panel temperature reading, the actual reading will vary due to the ambient temp and humidity.
Some basic temp outputs for Ref:
70 Deg Day - Output Temp 35-40 Deg
80 Deg Day - Output Temp 45-50 Deg
100 Deg Day - Output Temp 55-60 Deg
The basic average is 35 to 40 Deg lower than the Ambient (Outside Temp)

If not near these (average) temps - I would check for debris blocking the condenser / radiator - very common to see build up in between them, before checking the freon charge

 

[Blue Streak]

In the old days of R12 & 134A we would try for 38 to 42 degrees with the fan on low & inside air mode. Also if not driving while checking cover the windshield to keep the sun out, If it's getting to those temps it's working fine. Also air distribution these day's are much different. My 19 Ranger pulls to 42 degrees.

 

[Frenchy]

First question. Do you have manual air conditioning or auto air conditioning?

Second question. If you have auto air conditioning, what temperature are you setting the vents for?

 

[Frenchy]

I will also mention that if you want to get a temperature gauge, go to your local auto parts store as they have plenty of little temp gauges you can buy for 10 bucks and put in the vent on the dash

 

[Chris M]

First question. Do you have manual air conditioning or auto air conditioning?

Second question. If you have auto air conditioning, what temperature are you setting the vents for?

It's equipped with auto but I dont use it.
Temp always set on low during the non-blizzard months here in Phoenix.

 

[Frenchy]

Get a temp.gauge from the local auto parts store and see what it's putting out

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