Do you have cold, cool, cold, cool, A/C?

[bluer101 241]

Nope, this is not the problem at all. Just cruising at any constant speed or rpm.

[austex04 48]

Now that it's got very hot, I noticed it a few times, mostly on the vents closest the side windows, but it still cools the car very well, even better now that I tinted the windows few weeks back. Unlike most cars, it doesn't disengage the compressor at full throttle. I have to manually turn it off if I need more power, such as a steep hill.

[bluer101 241]

Now that it's got very hot, I noticed it a few times, mostly on the vents closest the side windows, but it still cools the car very well, even better now that I tinted the windows few weeks back. Unlike most cars, it doesn't disengage the compressor at full throttle. I have to manually turn it off if I need more power, such as a steep hill.

You are right, you can feel it at the sides more. Also it helped big time with the windows getting tinted.

[BlackGranite13 0]

:2013 Model 2LT

Transmission:Man

Problem: Yes

[austex04 48]

I think tinting the windshield would help the most, since a tremendous amount of heat is generated on the huge dark colored dash in the sun. I wanted to do it with llumar uv shield or air blue, since they're transparent, but my registration and inspection stickers are on the windshield. I might buy a custom cut dash mat that's light grey to help that heat issue. Maybe they should change the dash color to a lighter shade? It makes it feel so much hotter in the front seats, even though the inside and back seats are cool.

[bluer101 241]

Mine is going to get done in air blue 80 but I have not been back yet.

[bluer101 241]

Look what I found. There are 3 possible problems with the AC and one GM is still working on.

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=1951

[Lovgun7 75]

alright ... i might have the same issue ...

US 2013 LS

today it was pretty bad ... AC wasn't cold it was just blowing fresh air my way lol ...

if i accelerate it got cooler but if i was stalled it became fresh air again

ill have to call up the dealer and ask if any recalls have been announced cuz its bad and summer here in socal is getting hotter

Edited June 12, 2013 by Paul Delgado

[bluer101 241]

Paul,

There is no recalls as of yet. This is why this thread was created. You can print out the link and bring Otto them but I bet they have no clue right at the moment.

[austex04 48]

Nice read! Hopefully, those who really have a bad problem like Paul and Otay can print it and show it to the dealers, I think they both have seal issues with the compressors. I noticed the cool/cold last night, when it was a very humid 80 degrees, drawing in fresh air. Today, it was in the 90's, and it didn't seem to be doing it at all, drawing fresh air the whole 25 min commute in mixed driving. Mine is weird, it works better the hotter it is outside.

[Lovgun7 75]

yeah it was pretty bad yesterday ... i cranked it to level 4 and that was barely good enough

[bluer101 241]

It's been brutal down here in S FLA. The heat and humidity has been unreal. The only thing that has helped it parking in the shade or undercover. But during the day it's on high all the time. At idle is get warmer than driving, then cold cool.

[ljrt001 0]

ljrt001

Year :2013
Model 1LT
Transmission:auto
Build date: unknown
Problem: Yes

[joehornback 5]

joehornback

Year: 2013

Model 2LT

Transmission: Manual

Build Date: 5/12

Problem YES!!!

I'm glad this is finally getting the attention it deserves from GM. Unfortunately for me, it is too little to late. I do like the little Spark, but between the a/c issue, the radio dissappointment, and the steering wheel illumination fiasco (which the last isn't a deal breaker) but the first one definitely is.

I originally wanted a Hyundai Veloster but when GM announced the Spark, it "sparked" my interest into buying one. I guess I should have just gotten what I wanted in the first place.

I want to say that I have really enjoyed visiting with everyone here and comparing notes/issues. I can only hope the folks at the veloster forum are just as nice and fun to visit with.

I wish everyone here the best with their Sparks!

[Lovgun7 75]

wow... the ac issue isn't a deal breaker for me ...im optimistic about gm figuring it out and hopefully the recall will come soon. since its summer now ill be calling the dealer or emailing them the link and hoping theres a fix

[Dori 13]

Seen so many A/C issue threads describing the same problem. Don't know if anyone has found this out of wrote it on any of them, becuase i dont really want to read through all the threads and replys. But..... A/C gets cold when you throttle. A/C gets warmer under no acceleration. I.E. sitting at a stop light, warmer air. Accelerating, colder air. Go hop in your Spark out in the driveway and try it. Crank the A/C up, and give it some throttle. It will get colder. Why it does this? I have no idea... Just an observation i made.

[WaltK 305]

Actually what you describe is normal, the faster the compressor turns, the more cold air it pumps. The problem seems to be, the a/c momentarily getting warmer under acceleration.

[WaltK 305]

Look what I found. There are 3 possible problems with the AC and one GM is still working on. http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=1951

Although this is encouraging, it specifies the problems occurring at idle, which does not apply to the cool/cold problem, which is happening at all rpm's.

[bluer101 241]

Maybe the idle problem which I have too will fix the other problem too. I know the AC works better when moving but the Spark at idle is pathetic almost warm.

[Lovgun7 75]

today was pretty bad ... had it on the 3rd speed...

even passed by my dealer twice on my war to run errands and almost stopped by.

if i do go id like to take a copy of that link thats here.

[Logan Vincent Healy 4]

Logan Vincent Healy (Sparkzilla)
Year: 2013
Model: 1LT
Transmission: Auto
Build Date: 2013 (IDK what month)
Problem: Nope, ice cold after about 10-15 minutes.

[TBABill 0]

Hello. I joined the forum just to be able to join this discussion and hopefully provide a bit of insight from my situation. My daughter's 2013 Spark experienced almost a failure to cool so we took it to the dealer. It has 3000 miles on it. They replaced the compressor and receiver, found metal shavings in the compressor, and they recharged and tested the system, or so they say. We took the car home and within 2 days we noticed the same problem others are encountering. Sometimes it's blowing very cold for a few seconds, then goes to cool, then almost warm, and then the cycle starts over again. It goes through that routine at least every 30 seconds to 1 minute. So we took it back.

When we took the car back the dealer tested everything to make sure it didn't have a coolant leak. It didn't. They tested pressures and certain pressures were shy of what they needed to be while others were fine. The problem was that the low pressure reading kicked the compressor out until it built up the pressure (which explains the cool or warm periods) and then it kicked back in. Once the pressure dropped again, the cycle repeated.

There's no fix yet. I was told by the dealer that they received a Tech Bulletin or similar and were directed to not change any components in order to attempt repair. If the system is working normally but not cooling properly (sounds weird to say, but closest I can come to explaining it correctly), they were directed to do nothing. They were told to wait for GM engineers to provide a technical bulletin and official fix instructions and/or parts.

I was unsure if I was being fed a line so I've spent a couple days on the phone with GM corporate. Why have a warranty if they won't fix the problem. But their official stance is they are working the issue and they believe they know which part needs to be modified or completely changed, but they need the parts to be manufactured. It sounds like we're at the pre-manufacturing point now, perhaps testing ideas to make sure they fix the problem. Hopefully the testing will be a short duration and some parts can be made to replace faulty components to get pressures within tolerances. At this point GM only asked for patience and I have a case number to follow up on until it is closed once the vehicle is repaired to my satisfaction.

Best of luck to you all. It's not fun, but GM is at least aware and working it. I'd advise calling GM to get your own case #'s if you haven't already. That way no matter how many miles you drive the fix will be done as a warranty repair. Not sure if it'll become a recall item yet.

[bluer101 241]

Hello. I joined the forum just to be able to join this discussion and hopefully provide a bit of insight from my situation. My daughter's 2013 Spark experienced almost a failure to cool so we took it to the dealer. It has 3000 miles on it. They replaced the compressor and receiver, found metal shavings in the compressor, and they recharged and tested the system, or so they say. We took the car home and within 2 days we noticed the same problem others are encountering. Sometimes it's blowing very cold for a few seconds, then goes to cool, then almost warm, and then the cycle starts over again. It goes through that routine at least every 30 seconds to 1 minute. So we took it back.

When we took the car back the dealer tested everything to make sure it didn't have a coolant leak. It didn't. They tested pressures and certain pressures were shy of what they needed to be while others were fine. The problem was that the low pressure reading kicked the compressor out until it built up the pressure (which explains the cool or warm periods) and then it kicked back in. Once the pressure dropped again, the cycle repeated.

There's no fix yet. I was told by the dealer that they received a Tech Bulletin or similar and were directed to not change any components in order to attempt repair. If the system is working normally but not cooling properly (sounds weird to say, but closest I can come to explaining it correctly), they were directed to do nothing. They were told to wait for GM engineers to provide a technical bulletin and official fix instructions and/or parts.

I was unsure if I was being fed a line so I've spent a couple days on the phone with GM corporate. Why have a warranty if they won't fix the problem. But their official stance is they are working the issue and they believe they know which part needs to be modified or completely changed, but they need the parts to be manufactured. It sounds like we're at the pre-manufacturing point now, perhaps testing ideas to make sure they fix the problem. Hopefully the testing will be a short duration and some parts can be made to replace faulty components to get pressures within tolerances. At this point GM only asked for patience and I have a case number to follow up on until it is closed once the vehicle is repaired to my satisfaction.

Best of luck to you all. It's not fun, but GM is at least aware and working it. I'd advise calling GM to get your own case #'s if you haven't already. That way no matter how many miles you drive the fix will be done as a warranty repair. Not sure if it'll become a recall item yet.

Thank you for joining and giving your experience please keep us updated. As the the fix you are right they are working on it. I posted the Tech Link a few posts back. It has 3 options and only 2 have answers right now.

[Classing 6]

I am crossing my fingers that my new compressor will fix the problems but after reading TBABs post I am having doubts.

[WaltK 305]

Good news, thanks for the info, and welcome to the forum.