I know this may sound like a lame question but I'm not a mechanic so here goes..... A/C worked fine then I installed a 160W Stereo with 2 powerful speakers in the back and the A/C now blows warm air. The compressor is running but wonder if the alternator is not giving the compressor enough power to do its job? Just had the A/C worked on about a month ago so I know it has a full charge of freon (looking glass clear, no foam). One interesting thing I've notice is that when I put in the stero it cuts in and out. The power comes in and out. I don't see any loose wires on it. It was professionally installed. I guess I can remove the power from the stereo and that should answer the question but am interested if you guys have any other ideas. Perhaps I need a new alternator.
Your stereo and alternator have nothing to do with the ac system. You say the compressor is running. Are you looking at the center of the pulley or just the pulley itself? There is a clutch that engages the compressor when the system is turned on. They are 12 volts but will engage at much lower voltages. If in fact the compressor is running, then its probably a control problem. there are a lot of vacuum lines under the dash. You might have accidentally knocked one off while installing your stereo.
Thanks. I will take a look under the dash to see if any lines are not connected or damaged. I had the stereo installed by Best Buy so I don't know what may have happened under the dash.
You said you had it installed professionally. That's kind of a stretch calling the Best Buy techs processional installers. (No offense to any Best Buy installers on the board ) I was going to say I didn't think it would affect the a/c, but I wasn't sure, and figured somebody else would know and post. Now I learned something too.
