HVAC: blows warm air on cold setting

[91Beater]

It's been more and more noticeable. The air out of HVAC vents are warm, but not hot on coldest settings, but its not so bad that it overpowers the A/C. On a cool night, the air out the vent is considerably warmer than outside air. (60 outside, and out the vent is like 80, measured) even after I drive it a while.

The hot setting works just fine.

I pulled off the cable that is connected to slide control for temperature and verified that it is fully reaching the end of stroke in the cold direction and I resoldered every thing on the face unit, so the directional doors are working fine and I don't hear any snagging inside.

My A/C is still R12 and I put in brand new OEM compressor last year and re O-ringed every connection. After a year, its holding charge well, so I don't want to disturb that by removing the evaporator again.

[Legacy777]

Maybe I'm missing the problem....but are you saying it's blowing warm with the AC on and the compressor working? Or are you saying that you are getting warmer air coming through the HVAC with the AC off and the temp setting on the coldest setting?

If it's the latter, I would say this is more or less normal. Air is being pulled in from the cowl below the wipers right behind the engine bay (which is hot). Does this happen at all speeds? Does it get cooler when you are driving at highway speeds?

[oldscoobyturbo]

most a/c problems are leaks or faulty electronics, sounds like you have most of the bases covered.
Does the compressor run in the a/c on position? Yes/No
How was the system serviced when recharged? details are important for this answer
This could be a bad pressure switch or dryer cannister.

[91Beater]

If the car is hot inside, but outside is chilly, I open the windows and its refreshing, but air on "vent" setting is warm, so I have to leave it off. It's useless for cooling off using natural air.

If I turn on the A/C, it cools

[James614]

Like Josh said, its normal for the fresh air vent to be considerably warmer than the outside air. It varies by vehicle, but almost all cars have the issue to some degree.

[oldscoobyturbo]

that's normal the air intake for the vents is located at the base of the wipers
unless you add a scoop to catch the moving air it will be warm from the engine

[91Beater]

that's normal the air intake for the vents is located at the base of the wipers
unless you add a scoop to catch the moving air it will be warm from the engine

There's a divider and a gasket so its not actually taking the air from inside the hood. I can see how it might be warm after it sits for a while with no airflow, but continued hot air seems like doors in hvac compartment aren't making a good seal.

[Legacy777]

It's going to be slightly warm.

Does it cool off at all after driving on the freeway for a while?