I tried looking in the Solved Problems post, but everything I tried came up "File Not Found."

Anyhoo, about 2 hrs into a 4.5 hr trip on the highway in our '03 Hybrid, the A/C output got warmer and warmer, and The Professora (my darlin' Norwegian spouse) got more & more ill & miserable. After getting really concerned, pulling off, & discussing our options, we tried turning on the A/C again. It cooled! We got back on I-85, and 10 min later it was blowing hot. At this point, we turned around and headed home--she was too utterly miserable to continue, and I was too worried about her.

Theorizing that the compressor had been overdriven into overcharging the evaporator (I still think in terms of direct belt drive, FWIW), I got onto the state route system & tried driving 55. The A/C kept working, and the Professora started to recover. Driving around town this past week, max 50 mi total at a time, it's been fine.

My theory is consistent w/ what I observed & what I know of the refrig. cycle, but I am a near-total n00b, & what I really need is a reality check. I never want to be hauling around a Norskie in meltdown again!

Any ideas on the cause(s)?

Gratefully--

--RC

 

It could be evaporator freeze-up, where ice forms on the air side of the evaporator and blocks the airflow. When it is not cooling, pull over and check the low-side line under the hood. If it has ice on it the evaporator is likely frozen-- replace evaporator temperature sensor. If it's normal cold but not frozen, consider reheating of the air after the evaporator. If it's not cold, the compressor may have stopped (with belt-driven compressors, this is very common when the clutch gap is too wide).

 

Thanks! I'll look at those indicators.

RC