How to Reset AC on Chevy Silverado?

By Kayla J. Newton

How to Reset AC on Chevy Silverado? Electronic and automotive products have many types of defects. Especially for automotive products, there are different solutions for different kinds of problems. 

One of the most common problems with the Chevy Silverado car is the air conditioning problem. The air conditioning system plays an essential role in protecting the driver from the heat of driving the vehicle. 

You may need to Reset AC on Chevy Silverado.

The question is, how can you reset the A/C on your Chevy Silverado?

But, firstly, you have to need a clear idea of when you should reset the air conditioning ( A/C ) system.

When do you need to reset the Chevy Silverado A/C system?

When did you realize you needed to reinstall your Chevrolet Silverado A/C? 

Of course, you will see some noticeable problems, through which you will understand that it is necessary to reset your car’s air conditioning ( A/C ) system.

The first is hot air. Usually, a stream of air conditioning is put in place to give you some cool air. But you notice that cold air blows in for a while after turning on your car’s air conditioner,  then the air gets warmer. 

In this case, you must reinstall the vehicle’s air conditioning ( A/C ). This is usually due to a blown fuse, a leak, or a damaged compressor clutch. 

Another symptom is poor air circulation. If you notice your car’s air conditioner is blowing less air, you should reset it. 

This problem is mainly caused by replaced pipes, old exhaust fans, etc.

Requirements to reset your chevy Silverado Air Conditioner ( A/C ) system:

The most important thing to reset the chevy Silverado air conditioner is “you .”Yes, readers, you can reset your vehicle’s air conditioning system with both hands.

Additionally, you will need a screwdriver and pliers. That’s all you need to complete your reset process.

How to reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner system?

Now let’s get back to our core topic. There are different Chevrolet Silverado models worldwide, but the method for resetting the air conditioner is the same for all models. There is only one method that can be used to reset the air conditioner of all manufacturers of Chevrolet Silverado. So now, we will be familiar with the universal method. 

Most of the reason the vehicle’s air conditioner is reset is software bugs. For example, resetting the vehicle’s air conditioner will solve the problem if the actuator is unstable. On the other hand, if the vehicle’s air conditioner fuse is broken, the solution will not work. Next, you need to look for a replacement. 

Let’s go anyway to the process of how to Reset AC on Chevy Silverado air conditioner: 

The first thing to do. It would be best to find ventilation, heating, and air conditioning (HVAC) fuses. If you don’t know where the HVAC fuse is, it stays in the fuse box under your vehicle’s hood. 

When you find the HVAC fuse, turn off the ignition. With this ignition, remove the HVAC fuse for 10 seconds. Then reinsert the fuse and wait about 40 seconds. During this time, the vehicle’s air conditioner will restart. In this case, the system runs automatically, and you do not need to do anything. 

After fully operating the air conditioner, turn on the vehicle. Check if the air conditioner has been reset. 

If you get your solution, that’s fine. If not, you may need to reset your car’s climate control system. This system measures the temperature of the vehicle’s internal environment and controls the amount of air conditioning and required cold or hot air. 

Now let’s think about how can reset your climate control system:

First, turn on the vehicle. Then press the maximum and minimum buttons on the A / C panel. Wait for the Automatic Stability Control (ASC) indicator light. When the ASC light comes on, release the two buttons simultaneously. This will reset your vehicle’s climate control system.

Cost of Resetting the A/C on your Chevy Silverado:

If you want to reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner manually, you don’t have to pay for it because you sit and start the process. 

If you don’t have a driver or pliers at home, you’ll need to buy one. On the other hand, if you go to a mechanic to reset the air conditioner, they will charge you a certain amount. But why will you spend money when you can easily do it yourself?

How long does it take to reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner?

Usually, it takes about 5 to 7 minutes to reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner manually. The time difference may vary depending on your knowledge of the car. 

Many people don’t want to reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner themselves but want a mechanic to reset it. In this case, this time will be a little longer.

Some other issues which may affect your Chevy Silverado A/C system:

Air conditioning is a blessing, especially in hot weather. There are many possible causes for faulty AC systems. Below we explain what these are and what you can do about them.

The most common causes that interfere with the proper operation of Chevy Silverado’s air conditioning system are cabin air filter dirt, refrigerant leaks, condenser dirt or clogging, evaporator dirt or clogging, blower motor failure, compressor failure, blend door actuator failure, or electrical system failure. Etc. 

1. Dirty cabin air filter

Pollen filters, also known as cabin filters or microfilters, are central to Chevy Silverado’s ventilation system. Dirty filters reduce the overall ventilation capacity of the interior, reducing the cooling, heating, and airflow. It also puts unnecessary strain on the entire air conditioning system, negatively affecting the fuel economy of the Silverado. 

There’s no set time to change the cabin air filter, but most manufacturers recommend replacing it every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. If you drive in an environment with a lot of dirt or pollution, the filter can become dirty much sooner than recommended by the manufacturer.

First, check the status of the Silverado cabin filter. Cleaning the pollen filter first is advisable rather than replacing it directly. This can be done, for example, using a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air system that removes at least most of the visible dirt particles. 

Unfortunately, this method does not allow it to penetrate deeper filter layers. Therefore, the filter performance does not improve significantly even after cleaning. There is usually no way around the change.

2. Dirty evaporator

Dirty evaporators can also cause problems with the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner. The cabin air filter captures most of the dirt and other particles in the air, but some escape and fall onto the evaporator. Over time, these dust particles can accumulate on the fins, impeding airflow through the evaporator and inadequate cooling. 

The two most prominent symptoms of a Silverado evaporator blockage are: 

The airflow from the vent is choppy and uneven. 

An unpleasant musty odor is generated inside the car. 

Cleaning the  Silverado evaporator is not an easy task. In most cases, you will need to remove the entire dashboard before accessing the vaporizer. Therefore, it is recommended that this be done in a workshop. There may be a refrigerant leak in the evaporator. In that case, the evaporator needs to be replaced.

3. Compressor failure

The compressor is the heart of the Chevrolet Silverado’s overall air conditioning system. It cools the vehicle because it consists of moving parts that convert the refrigerant, which is usually a gaseous refrigerant, into a liquid. 

Defective compressors are usually irreparable. If you regularly turn on the air conditioner, the parts will also remain movable. However, if you do not turn on the  Silverado air conditioner for a long time, the details will stick together. As a result, the compressor becomes defective and cannot be repaired. All that helps is to replace it with a new one.

However, the worst damage is the failure of the air conditioning compressor when it “eats” itself due to poor lubrication or production errors, and metal pieces are formed and distributed throughout the air conditioning system of the Silverado. Another obstacle is unavoidable if you install a new compressor here as the chip quickly destroys the new component. 

Almost the entire air conditioning system needs to be replaced in such cases. At best, metal pipes can be washed away here. The two heat exchangers, condenser and evaporator, have a cross-flow design, so the cleaning agent finds the path with the lowest resistance and leaves the chip. However, high-pressure refrigerant pulls back these chips during operation, and the subsequent damage is unavoidable.

4. Bad blower motor

If there is no reduced airflow from the  Chevy Silverado vent, it may be due to a  blower motor failure. If the blower motor is worn or weakened, it may noise during operation. 

The defective blower motor cannot be repaired. The part needs to be replaced with a new one. 

If the blower motor suddenly fails every second, the first thing to check is if the blown a fuse is the cause of the failure.

5. Refrigerant Leak

Insufficient amounts of refrigerant are still the main reason why air conditioners do not work. By design, up to 15% annual refrigerant loss is expected. If the Silverado system is not serviced regularly, the refrigerant levels will eventually drop, and the system will lose its cooling capacity.

Just refill, and you can operate at a comfortable temperature again. If the refrigerant level drops rapidly again, there is probably a leak. 

In addition to average damage, defects in the Chevrolet Silverado components usually cause refrigerant gas leaks.

The most common cause is a defective seal ring, wear on the line, or damage to the capacitor due to the impact of a stone. 

Usually, finding these tiny leaks is not easy. At the workshop, the system will be filled with forming gas. You may hear a more extensive leak, but you can find it with a leak detection spray. You need to check all the components with a gas detector to find a small hole. 

If you find a leak, you will need to replace the relevant component and close it again.

6. Defective blend door actuator:

The blended door actuator is mainly responsible for controlling the airflow and temperature of the Silverado. Whenever there occurs a problem with the air conditioner’s temperature, there may be a problem with the blended door actuator. 

The most common symptom of the Chevy Silverado blend door actuator failure is the slight clicking noise that reoccurs from under the dash. When you turn on the air conditioner or adjust the temperature, the sound will be most evident for a few seconds. The sound may stop temporarily when the temperature is changed. 

Knocking noise is reasonably rare, but it could be another sign that the Silverado’s blend door actuators are bad. The sound is like tapping the door, which occurs when you turn on the air conditioner or turn off the engine.

7. Clogged or Dirty condenser

Chevy Silverado’s air-conditioning condenser is located at the front of the vehicle and serves to dissipate heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Over time, dirt, insects, and other small particles can accumulate on their surface and in the gaps in the web. This reduces the amount of air flowing through the mesh, impeding the condenser’s ability to dissipate heat and inadequate internal cooling. 

If the Silverado condenser is dirty, the easiest solution is to clean it. To do this, you usually need to remove the front bumper to access the capacitors. You can also use a high-pressure washer for cleaning, but make sure you have a low-pressure setting, as high pressure can easily damage the delicate fins of the condenser. 

A clogged or leaking condenser may also be why the Silverado air conditioner is not functioning correctly. Leakage of capacitors can result in loss of refrigerant and reduced system cooling capacity. A leak investigation using forming gas is performed in the workshop to find the air conditioning system leaks. Even the most minor leak can be detected. It is possible to determine if the refrigerant loss is due to a defective condenser. In this situation, the only option is to replace the wrong part.

Conclusion 

This article shows you how you can easily reset the Chevrolet Silverado air conditioner yourself. Automotive-related issues can be resolved by resetting the system associated with the matter. 

On the other hand, for a long-term solution to the problem, you need to contact the vehicle manufacturer or get the help of a qualified mechanic.

Leave a Comment