A/C Issues? Anyone else

[jakalafus]

Well mine did pass the supposed test to see if I needed to TSB. It’s being worked on this week and I’ll let you all know when I get it back

 

[RamCares]

Just wanted to thank all of you for blazing a path to resolve the poor AC performance issue. I'm new to Ram Heavy Duty coming from a 2017 1500 that blew ice cold. I bought my 2019 2500 Tradesman CC new last June to pull a travel trailer, and the cab just never wanted to cool down towing through the Nevada desert where I live. I love everything about the new HD other than the AC. Well perhaps not the CP4 I'm reading about, but so far, so good as far as that goes. Unfortunately my local dealer assessed the AC and said everything was in spec, so it's looking like I won't be getting the TSB. I opened a case with Ram Care to see if they can assist so maybe there's still a chance. Are any of you folks getting denied at your dealer? Are they charging for the retrofit in your cases?

I experienced this defrost issue the first week I had my truck (2-20 build) last March.

This will be included as a complaint in addition to the poor summer AC performance when I request the TSB for my truck.

My rig is scheduled to go under the knife 1 week from today so I REALLY hope it goes well. i.e. No rattles or broken parts. No indication they ever even had it with the EXCEPTION that the AC works like it SHOULD.

My 2019 3500 had 4K miles when I bought it - started blowing hot on the drivers side and cold on the passenger with the AC on. Dealer repaired it under a TSB by replacing the AC housing and electrical harness. After that I had a rattle on acceleration behind the dash and then it started blowing hot on the passenger side. Its at the dealer now getting on of the blending doors replaced and some bolts tightened...

Well mine did pass the supposed test to see if I needed to TSB. It’s being worked on this week and I’ll let you all know when I get it back

Hello everyone,
We would like to let you all know that our team is available to you for additional support during dealer services. Should you require additional assistance while addressing your A/C concerns, please do not hesitate to send over a private message. Would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf if needed to ensure that your concerns are addressed with the highest standard. Please let us know if you would like to be connected to a specialist during your future appointment for additional support.

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[Nfryan]

I had this issue last last summer when i bought my truck.. Just Got my ac service TSB done at my local dealer last week in Milford PA. I wasn't thrilled about letting them rip out the dash completely in a truck with 4k miles. Picked it back up and everything is together perfectly no rattles from the dash area zero issues at all. Cant test the ac right now but I'll report back once we get warmer weather.

 

[dmxjg35]

I had this issue last last summer when i bought my truck.. Just Got my ac service TSB done at my local dealer last week in Milford PA. I wasn't thrilled about letting them rip out the dash completely in a truck with 4k miles. Picked it back up and everything is together perfectly no rattles from the dash area zero issues at all. Cant test the ac right now but I'll report back once we get warmer weather.

Hey What dealer in pa did you take it to? I am having the same problem with my ac and now that the tsb is out im hesitant to bring it to the dealers close to me in pa bc I haven't been all that happy with the care they take. Did they give you a loaner car while it was in for service? And did they give you any hard time about doing the tsb ive had mine in for ac complaints and my sunroof leaking at least 4 times

 

[Nfryan]

Hey What dealer in pa did you take it to? I am having the same problem with my ac and now that the tsb is out im hesitant to bring it to the dealers close to me in pa bc I haven't been all that happy with the care they take. Did they give you a loaner car while it was in for service? And did they give you any hard time about doing the tsb ive had mine in for ac complaints and my sunroof leaking at least 4 times

I took mine to the dealer near me in Milford PA. Milford Chrysler Dodge Jeep. I didn't buy the vehicle there but brought it in prior for the cab mount TSB and was glad everything was perfect when I picked the truck back up. They didn't have any loaner cars so I went with a 2 day rental. They were hesitant at first to do the TSB just due to the fact they couldn't really test the system as they would have liked in the cold weather. I explained I had the issue last year and I've been tracking it on here and definitely was experiencing what many others had. They ordered the parts and got me scheduled. Repair took a day and a half. Faint smell of coolant in the cab now but no leaking or anything. I think they need to gut the whole dash and remove the heater core to replace the parts listed in the TSB (hence some coolant may be lingering that spilled) Aside from that you would never know the truck was ripped apart. They even detailed it for me inside and out before picking it back up.

 

[Jimmer]

Turned my A/c on and heard a nice big CLUNK! It still works but it takes several seconds to come on now. Feels like it has to wind up to turn on now. Not looking forward to being out of my truck especially since I just bought it !

 

[EDM]

@EDM, here are some ideas to coax the dealer into performing the repair:

1. Tell the dealer the TSB doesn't require them to reproduce the problem. The TSB states, "DIAGNOSIS: If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Repair Procedure."
2. Ask the dealer to get the engine coolant to operating temperature (at least 188 Fahrenheit) then turn the A/C to MAX and compare the temperature of the driver's side right vent to the the passenger's left vent. The vents are right next to each other, but they will see a significant temperature differential in the two vents. The driver's left vent will blow much warmer than the passenger's left vent, and this is one of the symptoms in the TSB which states, "left center instrument panel outlet is warmer than right side instrument panel outlets."
3. Create a video like I did that demonstrates the problem. Here is my video for reference. I never had to show this video to my dealership because they agreed to do the repair, but I had this video ready in case they kept denying the claim.
4. Explain to the dealer that there is a software bug in the HVAC module which can only be rectified by replacing the module (which is why it is in the parts list for the TSB). The software bug in the module is described in this forum post, but the summary is that the HVAC module is not reading/interpreting the temperature sensors correctly. Everything works fine as long as the HVAC is set for max heat or max cooling which is what they probably tested when they everything was "in spec." The problem exists in all trucks covered by the TSB.
5. Explain to the dealer that the fix requires installing new HVAC housing components that reroute the engine coolant lines to minimize heat transfer. I've included a picture of all the parts the dealer had to replace on my truck to fix the A/C.
6. Lastly, get @RamCares involved, as you already said.

It took the dealer 3 days to perform the repair because they had to take the entire dash, seats, center console, and lots of HVAC components. My dashboard was scratched during the repair, but the dealer agreed to replace the dashboard when the part(s) arrive.

View attachment 12491

Thanks for all of your assistance. As suggested, I made what I thought were pretty good arguments with my local dealer where I purchased the truck. My Ram Care representative ultimately told me it was a dealer decision, and my dealer wasn't willing to work with me. My solution: I drove 45 minutes down to a neighboring dealership where they made the warranty repair, no questions asked. It was 39 degrees when I picked up the truck last night, so I wasn't able to test temperature. The fan blows much harder now though. It almost sounds like a jet revving up when set on high. Is this normal? Other than the weird fan noise while at full blast, there aren't any new noises coming from the dash. I look forward to testing it out in a little warmer weather.

 

[Phil T]

I took mine to the dealer near me in Milford PA. Milford Chrysler Dodge Jeep. I didn't buy the vehicle there but brought it in prior for the cab mount TSB and was glad everything was perfect when I picked the truck back up. They didn't have any loaner cars so I went with a 2 day rental. They were hesitant at first to do the TSB just due to the fact they couldn't really test the system as they would have liked in the cold weather. I explained I had the issue last year and I've been tracking it on here and definitely was experiencing what many others had. They ordered the parts and got me scheduled. Repair took a day and a half. Faint smell of coolant in the cab now but no leaking or anything. I think they need to gut the whole dash and remove the heater core to replace the parts listed in the TSB (hence some coolant may be lingering that spilled) Aside from that you would never know the truck was ripped apart. They even detailed it for me inside and out before picking it back up.

Glad yours came out well. I picked mine up today after they did the assessment. Parts are ordered and I didn't leave it for the work since we will be using it next week. I will get it back in when we are finished with what we have planned.

 

[Speedracer93CobraR]

Well, I got the TSB done and it has not been "hot" yet, but it has been warm and I can tell there is an improvement in AC performance. I look forward to some hot days when I can really feel the difference.
There is only one downside and that is that now my steering wheel squeaks when it rotates past a certain point. I am far too busy at work to deal with this now and dread talking to the dealer and trying to get it fixed so I will let it drive me crazy for a little while until I can no longer stand it.

 

[Gondul]

Called ahead to confirm parts for the bed step and the AC... two week lead time on the AC parts, then it will go in for service.

 

[jakalafus]

Well, I got the TSB done and it has not been "hot" yet, but it has been warm and I can tell there is an improvement in AC performance. I look forward to some hot days when I can really feel the difference.
There is only one downside and that is that now my steering wheel squeaks when it rotates past a certain point. I am far too busy at work to deal with this now and dread talking to the dealer and trying to get it fixed so I will let it drive me crazy for a little while until I can no longer stand it.

Did you notice more airflow after the TSB? More fan speed. I didn’t on my 3500 but it would sure help.

 

[2019_Ram]

Had an 80* day yesterday, and I'm extremely disappointed. Had the TSB done earlier this year and see no significant changes in cooldown time or vent temps. Drove an hour yesterday afternoon after the truck sat in the sun for a while, and never got cool enough to take it off MAX AC during the entire drive. Driver's Side center vent temp was 51*, previously 53*, and Passenger's Side center vent temp was 46* previously 47*. I was excited to have the TSB done earlier this year to have this issue resolved for good. During the winter this truck was great, now with hot weather returning, I mad again. "Mad"... Best family friendly word I could find... I will be contacting the dealer in the next few weeks once I am done needing the truck.

Once again, I feel like I need to state that this 80k truck has, by far, the poorest AC by far of any vehicle I have owned. And yes, still mad...

 

[jakalafus]

Had an 80* day yesterday, and I'm extremely disappointed. Had the TSB done earlier this year and see no significant changes in cooldown time or vent temps. Drove an hour yesterday afternoon after the truck sat in the sun for a while, and never got cool enough to take it off MAX AC during the entire drive. Driver's Side center vent temp was 51*, previously 53*, and Passenger's Side center vent temp was 46* previously 47*. I was excited to have the TSB done earlier this year to have this issue resolved for good. During the winter this truck was great, now with hot weather returning, I mad again. "Mad"... Best family friendly word I could find... I will be contacting the dealer in the next few weeks once I am done needing the truck.

Once again, I feel like I need to state that this 80k truck has, by far, the poorest AC by far of any vehicle I have owned. And yes, still mad...

My neighbor has a similar truck and got the TSB, he was putting a clamp on his heater core line again yesterday and would agree with us.

 

[Speedracer93CobraR]

Did you notice more airflow after the TSB? More fan speed. I didn’t on my 3500 but it would sure help.

I don't believe the air flow / output quantity has increased, but I do think the discharge temperature from the vents is lower. I have not put a thermometer on it to measure it yet since it has not been 'hot' outside. It did hit 80 degrees here a couple of days ago and seems better. I do know that when I drove one of our 2018 Chevys yesterday; I noticed how much higher the volume of air was coming out of the vents vs my 2020 2500.

 

[Gondul]

Well at 84 degrees and only 47% humidity here is Flori-duh all AUTO could was blow 'cool' air.
I think the airspeed settings are wonky, but I'm hoping for colder air... just waiting for parts to come in.

 

[RamCares]

Had an 80* day yesterday, and I'm extremely disappointed. Had the TSB done earlier this year and see no significant changes in cooldown time or vent temps. Drove an hour yesterday afternoon after the truck sat in the sun for a while, and never got cool enough to take it off MAX AC during the entire drive. Driver's Side center vent temp was 51*, previously 53*, and Passenger's Side center vent temp was 46* previously 47*. I was excited to have the TSB done earlier this year to have this issue resolved for good. During the winter this truck was great, now with hot weather returning, I mad again. "Mad"... Best family friendly word I could find... I will be contacting the dealer in the next few weeks once I am done needing the truck.

Once again, I feel like I need to state that this 80k truck has, by far, the poorest AC by far of any vehicle I have owned. And yes, still mad...

Hi @2019_Ram, we are sincerely sorry to hear that your concerns remain unresolved. Please send us a private message with your VIN so that we may look into this further for you!

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[Jared2500Ram]

I have a 2021 tradesmen and I also have almost non existent AC I have only had the truck a week and I have a large punch list that needs to be resolved I am regretting this purchase more with each mile I drive I should have kept my 380,000 mile Sliverado

 

[OuachitaAdventure]

Thanks for all of your assistance. As suggested, I made what I thought were pretty good arguments with my local dealer where I purchased the truck. My Ram Care representative ultimately told me it was a dealer decision, and my dealer wasn't willing to work with me. My solution: I drove 45 minutes down to a neighboring dealership where they made the warranty repair, no questions asked. It was 39 degrees when I picked up the truck last night, so I wasn't able to test temperature. The fan blows much harder now though. It almost sounds like a jet revving up when set on high. Is this normal? Other than the weird fan noise while at full blast, there aren't any new noises coming from the dash. I look forward to testing it out in a little warmer weather.

I am currently working with a customer specialist on this issue. They are currently trying to expedite emissions system parts(which I appreciate), but no one seems to have any interest in completing this tsb. dealer says it’s fine, ram says it’s up to dealer

 

[RainDesert]

I have a 2021 tradesmen and I also have almost non existent AC I have only had the truck a week and I have a large punch list that needs to be resolved I am regretting this purchase more with each mile I drive I should have kept my 380,000 mile Sliverado

Sorry to hear this, I can't believe this is still an issue out there. My dealer was trying to dealer trade to get me a 2021 tradesman yesterday but now I'm not sure about the truck until I can drive it on a hot day. I surely thought that since the TSB on this issue that the 2021's would not experience this. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Gondul]

I am currently working with a customer specialist on this issue. They are currently trying to expedite emissions system parts(which I appreciate), but no one seems to have any interest in completing this tsb. dealer says it’s fine, ram says it’s up to dealer

Damn... any chance of finding a new dealer?
I simply called and spoke with a service advisor to get an appointed and gave them the Recall# for the bed step and the TSB# for the A/C... no fuss or bother, just had to sit on hold while he verified deliver with parts.