Chevrolet Cruze LTZ - A/c issues

discoverwild · 23rd November 2010, 15:40

My friend has a Chevrolet Cruze which has an unusual problem with the A/c. If water splashes on to the underside, the A/c sensor malfunctions and shows -40deg (minus 40!) on the top right instrument panel.

This makes the A/c switch to hot air and this becomes unbearable. Also, when switched off, hot air flows up through the vents near the windshield and fogs it up making it dangerous to drive.

The service guys are unable to do anything about it and advise him against driving in the rain or splashing water

The vehicle is only a couple of months old and has run just 2000kms.

Driving the car has become a pain. Look forward to some clues to this one.

tsk1979 · 23rd November 2010, 15:56

They should change the AC sensor under warranty. Why are they not doing it?

yogeshnaik · 23rd November 2010, 16:06

The GM vehicles are high-tech and have diagnostic codes that should be shown on their laptop screen during diagnosis. It requires skilled people to decode these codes. If you drive the vehicle to some other workshop this issue might have resolved. This issue is related to the sensors, and can be rectified.

Also suggest you to call/mail the GM head office, because this issue can be reported as issue found on field.

sameer sultan · 23rd November 2010, 16:16

Ask your friend to switch off Auto Climate Control.

The top right display shows the outside temperature. How this is related to the AC Sensor?

Get that Cruze to Sundaram Motors Chennai or Bangalore and get the problem diagnosed from the system.

deutscheafrikar · 23rd November 2010, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by discoverwild

The service guys are unable to do anything about it and advise him against driving in the rain or splashing water

The vehicle is only a couple of months old and has run just 2000kms.

email your problem to the GM person in charge (you will get his email at the workshop) of the zone where your friend is located with a cc to karl.slym@gm.com; gmi.cac@gm.com

discoverwild · 23rd November 2010, 17:32

Attached is the picture of the MID.

Here are the issues according to the questions asked.

when auto climate control is switch off and a/c on - result hot air

When A/c fully switched off but fan on - result hot air

when a/c and fan switched off - slow hot air the vent near the windshield and near the legs - resulting in fogging of the windshield

v&v · 23rd November 2010, 18:38

Did you try a reset. Disconnect the battery for reset. Some time it might work.
Regarding hot air when ac and fan switched off , put the vent system in recycle mode and then switch off. it should solve the issue.

SirAlec · 23rd November 2010, 22:37

As far as i know there are no AC sensors at underbelly of any cars.

But its definitely sensor error. You should get it replaced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogeshnaik

The GM vehicles are high-tech and have diagnostic codes that should be shown on their laptop screen during diagnosis.

FYI its Korean slapped with Louis Chevy necktie badge period.

yogeshnaik · 4th December 2010, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

As far as i know there are no AC sensors at underbelly of any cars.

But its definitely sensor error. You should get it replaced.

FYI its Korean slapped with Louis Chevy necktie badge period.

Yes, that is true. GM have their controller network based on CAN protocol which send these information on the CAN bus. This facilitates to log message codes about sensors and other failure related information.

ImmortalZ · 6th December 2010, 12:26

A CAN bus is nothing new. ECUs logging fault codes is also nothing new.

If the outside temperature sensor is showing this problem, it is simply because of a wiring issue or a bad sensor. The information from the sensor is gleaned from the voltage it returns. When water gets splashed on the temperature sensor (which is most probably mounted in front of the radiator or somewhere where fresh air is always available), the sensor either returns a bad value (0V or tied up to VSB) or the terminals are shorted and a bad value is returned.

Either way, the climate control controller is seeing the bad information and acting on it.

What doesn't make sense is how the exterior temperature is factoring into the cooling function of the interior. Usually the closed loops system monitors the interior temperature. The exterior temperature is usually used by the ECU to control cold start routines. I can see the exterior temperature value factoring in if the fresh air intake is turned on though.

Anyway, it's a sensor malfunction. Get it checked as it is.

esteem_lover · 6th December 2010, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by discoverwild

The service guys are unable to do anything about it and advise him against driving in the rain or splashing water

The vehicle is only a couple of months old and has run just 2000kms.

What a wonderful piece of advice. These guys should be awarded the best in customer service. 2 month old car and you should not drive in the rain ? Why even 20 year old ambys run in splashing water. Stand firm and make them to replace whatever they have to replace. What's the use of a warranty if this cannot be done ?

a.sundaram · 15th April 2011, 15:16

What happened to this problem finally. Was it rectified and how?
Please do post details. Haven't heard of this problem anywhere else and would certainly like to know for reference.
Cheers

brijesh1977 · 18th October 2011, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by discoverwild

My friend has a Chevrolet Cruze which has an unusual problem with the A/c. If water splashes on to the underside, the A/c sensor malfunctions and shows -40deg (minus 40!) on the top right instrument panel.

This makes the A/c switch to hot air and this becomes unbearable. Also, when switched off, hot air flows up through the vents near the windshield and fogs it up making it dangerous to drive.

The service guys are unable to do anything about it and advise him against driving in the rain or splashing water

The vehicle is only a couple of months old and has run just 2000kms.

Driving the car has become a pain. Look forward to some clues to this one.

the dealer must be the infamous Anamalais, then you are done, they may even advise you not to drive your car. If you can take it to Erode dealer contact Mr.Manivaran, GM service, he will be able to help you , he is extremely technically sound.

ashvtosh · 3rd May 2012, 11:15

I have a 1.5 yr old Cruze LTZ Auto and I am facing a different problem since 2 months. After the airconditioner has been switched on and temperature set to 19 in this Bombay heat, the A/C stops blowing cold air after about 10 minutes. I switch it off and then on again, and there is some respite. But there is no continuous cold air flow. Also when the car is standing for about 3-4 minutes, there is water dripping below. More than dripping, it is actually flowing. Can someone advise what could be the problem with my car and suggest some repairs to be done. Much thanks for your help. Ashutosh

Jaggu · 3rd May 2012, 11:28

Set the temp at 21 and see what happens, i have a feeling the gas is freezing up due to excess cooling of the grill. Increasing the fan speed also will help disperse the freezing. Water dripping is good sign, ie ac is working fine.

23rd November 2010, 15:40	#1
discoverwild Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: BLR/CBE Posts: 1,303 Thanked: 3,673 Times	Chevrolet Cruze LTZ - A/c issues My friend has a Chevrolet Cruze which has an unusual problem with the A/c. If water splashes on to the underside, the A/c sensor malfunctions and shows -40deg (minus 40!) on the top right instrument panel. This makes the A/c switch to hot air and this becomes unbearable. Also, when switched off, hot air flows up through the vents near the windshield and fogs it up making it dangerous to drive. The service guys are unable to do anything about it and advise him against driving in the rain or splashing water The vehicle is only a couple of months old and has run just 2000kms. Driving the car has become a pain. Look forward to some clues to this one.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 15:56	#2
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,727 Thanked: 23,096 Times View My Garage	They should change the AC sensor under warranty. Why are they not doing it?
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 16:06	#3
yogeshnaik BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 347 Thanked: 217 Times	The GM vehicles are high-tech and have diagnostic codes that should be shown on their laptop screen during diagnosis. It requires skilled people to decode these codes. If you drive the vehicle to some other workshop this issue might have resolved. This issue is related to the sensors, and can be rectified. Also suggest you to call/mail the GM head office, because this issue can be reported as issue found on field.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 16:16	#4
sameer sultan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 435 Thanked: 791 Times	Ask your friend to switch off Auto Climate Control. The top right display shows the outside temperature. How this is related to the AC Sensor? Get that Cruze to Sundaram Motors Chennai or Bangalore and get the problem diagnosed from the system.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 17:32	#6
discoverwild Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: BLR/CBE Posts: 1,303 Thanked: 3,673 Times	Attached is the picture of the MID. Here are the issues according to the questions asked. when auto climate control is switch off and a/c on - result hot air When A/c fully switched off but fan on - result hot air when a/c and fan switched off - slow hot air the vent near the windshield and near the legs - resulting in fogging of the windshield Attached Thumbnails Last edited by discoverwild : 23rd November 2010 at 17:51. Reason: answers
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 18:38	#7
v&v Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,545 Thanked: 1,207 Times View My Garage	Did you try a reset. Disconnect the battery for reset. Some time it might work. Regarding hot air when ac and fan switched off , put the vent system in recycle mode and then switch off. it should solve the issue. Last edited by v&v : 23rd November 2010 at 18:42.
	() Thanks

6th December 2010, 12:26	#10
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 598 Times View My Garage	A CAN bus is nothing new. ECUs logging fault codes is also nothing new. If the outside temperature sensor is showing this problem, it is simply because of a wiring issue or a bad sensor. The information from the sensor is gleaned from the voltage it returns. When water gets splashed on the temperature sensor (which is most probably mounted in front of the radiator or somewhere where fresh air is always available), the sensor either returns a bad value (0V or tied up to VSB) or the terminals are shorted and a bad value is returned. Either way, the climate control controller is seeing the bad information and acting on it. What doesn't make sense is how the exterior temperature is factoring into the cooling function of the interior. Usually the closed loops system monitors the interior temperature. The exterior temperature is usually used by the ECU to control cold start routines. I can see the exterior temperature value factoring in if the fresh air intake is turned on though. Anyway, it's a sensor malfunction. Get it checked as it is.
	() Thanks

15th April 2011, 15:16	#12
a.sundaram Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: Chevrolet Cruze LTZ - A/c issues What happened to this problem finally. Was it rectified and how? Please do post details. Haven't heard of this problem anywhere else and would certainly like to know for reference. Cheers
	() Thanks

3rd May 2012, 11:15	#14
ashvtosh Newbie Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 23 Thanked: Once	Re: Chevrolet Cruze LTZ - A/c issues I have a 1.5 yr old Cruze LTZ Auto and I am facing a different problem since 2 months. After the airconditioner has been switched on and temperature set to 19 in this Bombay heat, the A/C stops blowing cold air after about 10 minutes. I switch it off and then on again, and there is some respite. But there is no continuous cold air flow. Also when the car is standing for about 3-4 minutes, there is water dripping below. More than dripping, it is actually flowing. Can someone advise what could be the problem with my car and suggest some repairs to be done. Much thanks for your help. Ashutosh
	() Thanks

3rd May 2012, 11:28	#15
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,338 Thanked: 16,718 Times	Re: Chevrolet Cruze LTZ - A/c issues Set the temp at 21 and see what happens, i have a feeling the gas is freezing up due to excess cooling of the grill. Increasing the fan speed also will help disperse the freezing. Water dripping is good sign, ie ac is working fine.
	(3) Thanks