Topic: HVAC Air conditioner issues plus recalibrating

[DeepBlueGXP]

I'm experiencing a growl in my AC when it is on and in my research I thought I should post other information about our AC system for future reference.

Subject: HVAC Improper Mode/Temperature Operation
Models: 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described.

Condition/Concern:
If you encounter a Solstice/Sky HVAC system that has erratic operation of the Mode door or the Temperature door, you may need to Re-synchronize the HVAC system.
Recommendation/Instructions:To Re-synchronize the HVAC you will need to follow the below steps.

1. Turn the key to the run position (Engine NOT running)

2. Turn the first HVAC knob (Temperature dial) all the way to the right

3. Turn the second HVAC knob (Blower dial) all the way to the right

4. Turn the third HVAC knob (Mode position) all the way to the LEFT

5. Now push in on the first knob (temp dial) and the third knob (Mode) at the same time and hold down until the LED's start to flash.

You will notice the HVAC system will now begin to run through all the modes and Re-synchronize both Temperature and Mode door.

DEFINITION: Noise originating from the blower motor.

1. Were you sent here from Symptoms or another diagnostic table?
Yes-Go to Step 2, No-Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual

2. Inspect the air inlet grille for debris.

Is debris present? Yes-Go to Step 8, No-Go to Step 3

3. Sit inside the vehicle.

A. Close the vehicle doors and windows.
B. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
C. Cycle the blower motor through all of the speeds and modes in order to determine where and when the noise occurs.

Is a noise evident during the blower operation? Yes-Go to Step 4, No-Go to Step 11

4. Inspect for excessive vibration at each blower motor speed by feeling the blower case.

Is excess vibration present? Yes-Go to Step 6, No-Go to Step 5

5. Listen to the blower motor at each speed.

Is the blower motor making a squeaking or chirping noise?
Yes-Go to Step 9, No-Go to Step 11

6. Remove the blower motor.

A. Inspect the blower motor impeller for deposits of foreign material.
B.Inspect the blower motor for deposits of foreign material.

Did you find any foreign material on the blower motor or blower motor impeller?
Yes-Go to Step 8, No-Go to Step 7

7. Inspect the blower motor for the following conditions:
• Cracked blades
• A loose impeller retainer
• Improper impeller alignment
Did you find any of these conditions? Yes-Go to Step 9  No-Go to Step 10

8. Remove the foreign material. Is the action complete? Yes-Go to Step 10

9. Replace the blower motor.

Is the repair complete? Yes-Go to Step 11

10. Install the blower motor.

Is the action complete? YesGo to Step 11

11. Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you find and correct the condition? Yes-System OK No-Go to Step 2

If there is noise when the Air Conditioning is on, your quick diagnostics have shown that it isn't comming from the blower motor (fan).

The dealership should work with the diagnostics including the TSB (which was recently revised) and see how that effects the noise(s).

A/C Growl or Buzzing Noise (Install Bracket Kit/Thermal Expansion Valve and/or Inspect A/C Compressor Bolts) #06-01-39-016B - (09/14/2007)

On the base Solstice with the 2.4L engine (like yours), some owners may comment on a growling or buzzing noise when the A/C is on.

This condition may be caused by any of the following:

• Cause 1 - Loose A/C Compressor Bolts

• Cause 2 -- Thermal Expansion Valve (typically a buzzing noise at 1500-2000 RPM)

• Cause 3 - Evaporator Tube Assembly Lines Contacting Front of Dash Sheet Metal

You could wait until your fist servicing and have the compressor bolts checked for tightness. Then you would not have to make a special trip back to the selling dealership or another Pontiac dealership. You could also have the dealership pre-order the bracket kit needed to isolate the lines, so if it was need, it would be in stock.

You could also check it out yourself, or have someone more local. The bolts should be tighten in sequence (Top Front, Rear, Bottom Front) to 22 N·m (16 lb ft). Same torque for the A/C Compressor and Condenser Hose Assembly Bolt.
See image below

[lil goat]

Cool stuff Joe, pun intended. My A/C is so cold I was thinking of renting out space to store meat. I may do the sync thing anyway, just for the heck of it.

[Sly Bob]

Nice Joe. Let's hope we don't need it... 

[DeepBlueGXP]

So my wife took my car in for the noise, it's been like this since I bought it. 
Now it is fixed and no more growling, just in time for winter.

FOUND EXPANSION VALVE NOISE CAUSEING VIBRATION THROUGH DASH.
INSPECTED AC COMPRESSOR BOLTS AND TIGHTENED BOLTS, REPLACED
EXPANSION VALVE AND INSTALLED BRACKET AND RETESTED SYSTEM

PARTS------QTY----FP-NUMBER----DESCRIPTION---------LIST PRICE-UNIT PRICE
                   1        19120241        BRACKET 9.225                         WARRANTY
                   1        89025005        VALVE KIT 9.213                       WARRANTY

[lil goat]

Thanks Joe! I sent an email off to schedule my update, I get it mostly when I take off from a stop.

I sent an email to Jay at Koons, I read so often about dealerships giving people a hard time about warranty work I figured I should post his response, they are happy to do warranty work obviously.

"Someone a long time ago told me that oatmeal is better than no meal!!! Just let me know when you want to bring it in."

[Sol Asylum]

Wow a dealer that does good work and has a sense of humor too!

[lil goat]

I stopped by last night at the dealer. They didn't stock the parts so he ordered them, he said he was happy to do this one it pays pretty well. I don't even know if my car does exactly this problem but might as well get it done. Oatmeal for everyone!

[Yogi]

I tried to open the .pdf TSB and I got an Adobe error message.  Can anyone else open the above .pdf?   

[DeepBlueGXP]

Searching for replacement file, that one isn't working

[Yogi]

Searching for replacement file, that one isn't working

Thanks, Joe!

[DeepBlueGXP]

Back from the archives

[Yogi]

That was FAST!   

Thanks again, Joe!   

[n813ca]

Thank you

[KWhale]

I just thought the heater problem was another on of our cars "Features".  Thanks for posting this Joe!