Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: Air Conditioning, john weese, wbig

Question
QUESTION: My mother-in-law owns a 2000 Ford Focus.  She called me the other day to check her AC.  She said it was not working.  I went over to her house to make sure she had the controls set right, she did.  What her AC is doing is blowing warm air on the two left vents (drivers side) and cold air on the two right vents (passenger side).  She does not have the comfort zone type of controls.  I am almost sure this has something to do with a actuator/deflector door or something but don't know where to find it or how to get to it.  Could you help me out here?  Hope I am on the right track or maybe you could tell me what else to look for.

Thanks,

John Weese Jr.

ANSWER: John,
If it was a dual zone system, the blend door is the first thing I would check. But you said it wasn't. Your deflector doors are working properly because all they do is direct the flow of the air, and as I understand, it is blowing where it is supposed to.
The first thing that I would check is your low and high side pressures. It sounds as though you may have a slightly low charge.
Ho wbig of a difference is the air temperature? If it relatively close, check with a thermometer, (I am anticipating you will find the difference no more than about 5-8 degrees) In this case, this is the route I would look into first.
If it is a greater difference than this let me know. But please send me your pressure readings and the ambient temperature. I will go from there. But I have a feeling you will find that it is a bit low on its charge.
If I can do anything further now or in the future, don't hesitate to ask. Thank you for the question and good luck in everything.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I believe you are right, the AC charge has to be low.  If it was r-12 I could check the pressure.  I have gauges for that type.  I checked the temp coming out the air vents, passenger side was coming out at 65 degrees and the drivers side at 80 degrees.  The ambient temperature outside was a humid 83 degrees.  Feeling the difference in the air temp coming out of the vents threw me off a little (hadn't experience that before).  I should have thought to listen to the AC Compressor.  It was cycling every few seconds (an indicator of low charge).

Thanks for your help and I'll be sure to go back and give you a great rating.

Thanks,

John Weese Jr

Answer
John,
Glad I could be of some help. I also thank you for the rating. We don't get anything out of it other than bragging rights and the good feeling, but thank you.
I also responded to your follow-up because it counts against us if we let it sit in our cue for a period of time.
So again... if I can be of asistance in the future, don't hesiate to ask. Thanks again