It looks like the coolant is flowing into the heater core, and since the heater core and evaporator are usually very close together its warming up the evaporator giving you higher a/c temps. You just pinched off the heater inlet hose. Generally vehicles will have a heater control valve that is vacuum or electronically operated to shut off coolant flow. In my 1984 Dodge W250 I installed a brass ball valve with 5/8 fittings so in the summer I shut off the coolant flowing into the heater core, and in the winter I just turn it on, I would do that instead. Keeps the cab a lot cooler in the summer time and the A/C ice cold. Having the hose pinched for an extended period of time may cause the hose to weaken
I did this mod as well with my 19 rebel and got similar results in phx, az. Took a little while for heat soak to dissipate but when driving now getting in low 40s even into 30s on rare occasion. Big difference! Talked to mechanic, no issue with doing this. Most semis run this way.
Rams have been having this issues for a long time on my old 2004 I had to do something similar to this, I just installed a flow valve. That way you can open it in the winter and close it in the summer and you don't damage the hose.
No issues on my 2023, seems to be fixed. Looks like there is an issue with the earlier 1500 5th Gen with too much heat from the heater core being mixed when the cabin is above the setpoint. There should be none and reheat should only be happening if it goes below the setpoint. This hack basically just keeps hot coolant from going into the heater core.
I had the same problem with my 2019 RAM 1500. I haven't tried this. Took mine to the dealer, I was told that the wrong labels were put on at the factory for the 1500 and the AC system was undercharged by a good bit. Before the recharge, vent temps ran around 60 degrees, after it will get 50 to 52 degrees at best. Better but still not great. I would think it should do better, but with the government changing the freon again, maybe that's the best it will do in stock form. Chrysler got a jump on the new freon, R1234YF, in which I was told that all new vehicles will have to go to it in 2021.
Yeah I haven't gone to the dealership about it yet I most likely will eventually. I actually work in the HVACR industry and it seems like every day they're changing standards on refrigerants.
Awesome hack!!! I got my ac down to 43 degrees after about a 2 mile ride on the highway. Its been hovering around 44-46 while cruising through town in 85 degree weather. Was in the mid 50s until now. Thanks for posting this video!
@@1829casper I don't actually have the truck anymore. It's pretty easy to figure out in the video. Worked great but you lose your heat. So if you need heat on a colder day you have to loosen the clamp a little.
I recently bought a 2021 ram 1500, and the AC is quite a bit warmer than my last ram (which was a 2017). I have been to two different ram dealers already and I have made them aware of the TSB. However both of them told me that the 2021 model was not covered by it. I’m extremely frustrated. I would like to try this hack, but I’m having trouble locating the correct hose.
I drive a 19 RAM limited here in Phoenix. Love the truck but leather seats and weak AC has got me irritated. I hate having passengers during this inferno. Need to try this.
After watching your video, I went and bought the clamps from Harbor freight and tried them. Wow what a difference. I was getting before 51 degrees on driver side and 44 on passenger side. The temperature would really start climbing at traffic lights. After adding the clamp both sides go to 43 degrees and barely increase when I stop. I contacted RAM and they said that is normal. I had taken this truck to three dealers complaining about the AC and in all cases said there was no fix. I am going to try to come up with a valve that I can close in the summer and open the rest of the year. I am still, also, thinking about replacing this vehicle.
Tried it today. 110 was outside. Without clamps I had 50F on the driver's side in the center console, with claps it went to 45. If I will decide I would not do clamps but will install a valve as I see those clamps can degrade pipe and cause a leak
I have a 2019 Ram Bighorn. Non-auto climate control. One of the things that I noticed last summer was at idle or constant driving at 30MPH and below the AC could not get the cab to a comfy temp. Thats a huge issue for those of us that do a lot of city driving. I took the truck to the dealer who proudly proclaimed it was under charged and it should be better now. Marginal difference. I figure its bad engineering or some sort of government regulation. I dunno. This summer I am definitely doing this hack. I might try something more elaborate then a hose clamp though.
Hello How have you made out with your AC issue. I have same issue. There’s also a TSB out but it’s not definite that they will repair everyone that comes into their shop with AC issues. Have you tried the dealer. Or how’s the AC after the clamp fix. I think it’s a insufficient charge or other components other than blend door issue. I would opt for a two way valve over clamp long term.
@@josephpuchel6497 last summer I installed a butterfly valve between the outlet and the heater core. Seems to push out up to 10 degrees cooler. Had to remove it for some dealer work since I didn't want to hear any bs about breaking warenty. I brought my truck to the dealer 2 times over the ac. was alway told it was fine.
What it appears to me is you are clamping off your heater hose, basically your heater is always getting warm engine water into the core and your A/C is soaking up that heat making it run warmer.. Looks like RAM needs to change the heater control valve to cut off completely. I know on a Ford this would not matter as the heater core door shuts completely isolating the core from the A/C cold air when the A/C is turned on
I added a small 6 inch house coming out, attached a water heater valve, then connected the original tubing to the new valve. Now, some people have said, by having it pinched, it could eventually start to crack and leak. Depending on how hot it may get in your area. I live in south TX and its freaking hot. Which is why I went with the extra tubing and valve instead of the clamp. However, you have to make the exchange quick because as soon as you disconnect the original tubing, its gonna start leaking. So have the new tubing connected to the valve, connected to the original tubing ready to place into the output. The other issue is, there seems to be a debate on whether you should close it off completely to prevent any of the hot liquid, mixing with the cold. If you close it off completely, you could potentially have the compressor freeze over. But then again, a bunch of people have said that they talked to mechanics and they all said its fine if you close it off completely. It won't freeze up. Especially if you live in a very hot environment. So I went ahead and left it 1/4 open. Just in case. I just did this yesterday. No issues so far. And everything was clamped down with hose clamps. So its not going anywhere.
Update from a week after doing this, I've had zero issues (mechanical) and it does seem a lot cooler. I think its worth it and I like the fact that if I trade it in or if I'm gonna have some maintenance done on it by the dealership, I can remove the valve with new tubing and just connect the original tubing back like it never happened. That way they don't blame me for somehow messing it up. If I would've had the clamp, it would've left an indentation. But that's just me. To each their own.
I know I’m a little late to the party... Just bought a 2020 ram and I love it but the a/c is disappointing! So this is pinching off the coolant going into the heater core/blend door?
Hello Did you go to dealership and have them check it out. I have a 2019 Ram And brought mine into dealer on insufficient ac cooling. The mechanic said he evacuated system did recharge with dye then tested AC at a RPM of 1500 and it tested within specs. It’s still the same cold but could be colder. I have noticed there really isn’t any large amounts of condensation dripping. I have R134 in mine not the new R1234 Freon. I recently looked at a 2006 Dodge 2500 one owner. The owner turned on the AC and it was very cold and had tons on condensation dripping into a puddle. Now this truck year had serious blend door issues. I think issues are with it not having sufficient Freon charge or AC components other than blend doors.
So I paid 80k for my wife’s truck and I have to put a 4 dollar clamp on it to make it work right? What the actual f#435! RAM? Apparently Chrysler quality is STILL an issue in 2020!
So it is clear the AC on these 5th gen Rams is weak. These issues are allover the net. What bugs me is that these trucks spend years in development. Did anybody test drive these things in the summer? How could they not know?
It will keep you cool during the summer months but it won't freeze you out your truck. Things could always be better some are better then others not sure why there all so different.
@@HughesGarage If i can keep driving at about 30 MPH or more the AC is actually not bad. But city driving last summer made driving that truck uncomfortable.
Yea it’s sucks big time.. I have one rebel 2020 and the ac has to be on level 5 for it to cool down the truck.. I have a gmc savana model 2016 and I always keep it on level 1 and it’s super cold .. that sometimes I have to adjust the temperature. I don’t know why the rebel ac is so bad, still works but I wish it was cooler
@@idontcaresapo8233 I went to ACE a few weeks ago and did the bypass some have done. It helps but I still have my ac at max or near it. For long trips the ac works ok. But city driving..nope
Matthew Tratz yea I know I’m in Florida and it’s hot as balls.... I always keep the ram’s ac at the levels 5-6 because less than that toy doesn’t cool down ... .. what bypass you are talking about? I want to do it . Anything that works
Lol my 06 Silverado blew me out of my seat 😂. I couldn’t even have it halfway on the fan speed or I’d die!! My 09 Ram leaves a lot to be desired only really cold on the hwy and it’s barely tolerable
I had an 05 Silverado 1500 crew cab, same thing, that AC got cold fast and I had to turn down the fan shortly after cooling things down. I have a 2019 Ram Classic 1500, not even close to the cold air that the older Chevy put out. Tinting the windows has helped out a lot, but will have to look into this, if hot water is still circulating into the heater core then maybe a valve will be good.
Yeah I'm very disappointed in the AC's performance for a brand new truck it's kind of ridiculous to be honest though that's about the only complaint I have with the Rams.
Sounds like there is a problem with the A/C system. If it needed clamps on the hoses it would have been engineered that way. Possibly void the warranty.
Nothing wrong with the AC system, this is a blending door close off. The AC still performs within spec without the hack, but with the hack it stops hot coolant from going into the blend system. Truckers have been doing this to their AC systems for well over 70 years (they install a gate valve); same exact thing.
I added some ceramic tint to my truck and it helped the interior temps more than I could’ve ever imagined!
It looks like the coolant is flowing into the heater core, and since the heater core and evaporator are usually very close together its warming up the evaporator giving you higher a/c temps. You just pinched off the heater inlet hose. Generally vehicles will have a heater control valve that is vacuum or electronically operated to shut off coolant flow. In my 1984 Dodge W250 I installed a brass ball valve with 5/8 fittings so in the summer I shut off the coolant flowing into the heater core, and in the winter I just turn it on, I would do that instead. Keeps the cab a lot cooler in the summer time and the A/C ice cold. Having the hose pinched for an extended period of time may cause the hose to weaken
won't this affect the cooling system of the engine?
My 2019 Ram 1500 decided to start blowing HOT air on this 96° day. Your video helped me for a quick temporary fix. Much appreciated!
Happy to help please subscribe!
I did this mod as well with my 19 rebel and got similar results in phx, az. Took a little while for heat soak to dissipate but when driving now getting in low 40s even into 30s on rare occasion. Big difference! Talked to mechanic, no issue with doing this. Most semis run this way.
Trumpur, I am in Phoenix too and I am thinking about buying one. Can people survive in the backseats in July and August?
Just installed one on my 2019 RAM 1500, easy to install and it really works to lower the temperature.
Rams have been having this issues for a long time on my old 2004 I had to do something similar to this, I just installed a flow valve. That way you can open it in the winter and close it in the summer and you don't damage the hose.
No issues on my 2023, seems to be fixed. Looks like there is an issue with the earlier 1500 5th Gen with too much heat from the heater core being mixed when the cabin is above the setpoint. There should be none and reheat should only be happening if it goes below the setpoint. This hack basically just keeps hot coolant from going into the heater core.
There is a Technical Service Bulletin that came out on November 25, 2020 from Ram that if you complain about the ac they will repair it. Look it up.
I had the same problem with my 2019 RAM 1500. I haven't tried this. Took mine to the dealer, I was told that the wrong labels were put on at the factory for the 1500 and the AC system was undercharged by a good bit. Before the recharge, vent temps ran around 60 degrees, after it will get 50 to 52 degrees at best. Better but still not great. I would think it should do better, but with the government changing the freon again, maybe that's the best it will do in stock form. Chrysler got a jump on the new freon, R1234YF, in which I was told that all new vehicles will have to go to it in 2021.
Yeah I haven't gone to the dealership about it yet I most likely will eventually. I actually work in the HVACR industry and it seems like every day they're changing standards on refrigerants.
Awesome hack!!! I got my ac down to 43 degrees after about a 2 mile ride on the highway. Its been hovering around 44-46 while cruising through town in 85 degree weather. Was in the mid 50s until now. Thanks for posting this video!
Do you have picture of which hose to clamp?
@@1829casper I don't actually have the truck anymore. It's pretty easy to figure out in the video. Worked great but you lose your heat. So if you need heat on a colder day you have to loosen the clamp a little.
I recently bought a 2021 ram 1500, and the AC is quite a bit warmer than my last ram (which was a 2017). I have been to two different ram dealers already and I have made them aware of the TSB. However both of them told me that the 2021 model was not covered by it. I’m extremely frustrated. I would like to try this hack, but I’m having trouble locating the correct hose.
I drive a 19 RAM limited here in Phoenix. Love the truck but leather seats and weak AC has got me irritated. I hate having passengers during this inferno. Need to try this.
After watching your video, I went and bought the clamps from Harbor freight and tried them. Wow what a difference. I was getting before 51 degrees on driver side and 44 on passenger side. The temperature would really start climbing at traffic lights. After adding the clamp both sides go to 43 degrees and barely increase when I stop. I contacted RAM and they said that is normal. I had taken this truck to three dealers complaining about the AC and in all cases said there was no fix. I am going to try to come up with a valve that I can close in the summer and open the rest of the year. I am still, also, thinking about replacing this vehicle.
Yeah it works pretty good.
Hey I have same issues. I have heard they have a TSB out but not all owners will get the repair. They pull the whole HVAC box and give you a new one.
After 2 years are you still running th clamps? And any issues so far..
How tight do you clamp it
Tried it today. 110 was outside. Without clamps I had 50F on the driver's side in the center console, with claps it went to 45. If I will decide I would not do clamps but will install a valve as I see those clamps can degrade pipe and cause a leak
I have a 2019 Ram Bighorn. Non-auto climate control. One of the things that I noticed last summer was at idle or constant driving at 30MPH and below the AC could not get the cab to a comfy temp. Thats a huge issue for those of us that do a lot of city driving. I took the truck to the dealer who proudly proclaimed it was under charged and it should be better now. Marginal difference. I figure its bad engineering or some sort of government regulation. I dunno. This summer I am definitely doing this hack. I might try something more elaborate then a hose clamp though.
Yeah some people I've seen have put in a valve instead of a clamp for a more permanent set up.
Hello How have you made out with your AC issue. I have same issue. There’s also a TSB out but it’s not definite that they will repair everyone that comes into their shop with AC issues. Have you tried the dealer. Or how’s the AC after the clamp fix. I think it’s a insufficient charge or other components other than blend door issue. I would opt for a two way valve over clamp long term.
@@josephpuchel6497 last summer I installed a butterfly valve between the outlet and the heater core.
Seems to push out up to 10 degrees cooler. Had to remove it for some dealer work since I didn't want to hear any bs about breaking warenty.
I brought my truck to the dealer 2 times over the ac. was alway told it was fine.
What it appears to me is you are clamping off your heater hose, basically your heater is always getting warm engine water into the core and your A/C is soaking up that heat making it run warmer.. Looks like RAM needs to change the heater control valve to cut off completely. I know on a Ford this would not matter as the heater core door shuts completely isolating the core from the A/C cold air when the A/C is turned on
Thats what the TSB is about, it replaces the air box so it better isolates the heater core from the AC evaporator.
I remember when Chryslers had the coldest A/C in the business.
I just picked up 8 degrees cooler by using a pair of longnose vise grips.
I added a small 6 inch house coming out, attached a water heater valve, then connected the original tubing to the new valve. Now, some people have said, by having it pinched, it could eventually start to crack and leak. Depending on how hot it may get in your area. I live in south TX and its freaking hot. Which is why I went with the extra tubing and valve instead of the clamp. However, you have to make the exchange quick because as soon as you disconnect the original tubing, its gonna start leaking. So have the new tubing connected to the valve, connected to the original tubing ready to place into the output. The other issue is, there seems to be a debate on whether you should close it off completely to prevent any of the hot liquid, mixing with the cold. If you close it off completely, you could potentially have the compressor freeze over. But then again, a bunch of people have said that they talked to mechanics and they all said its fine if you close it off completely. It won't freeze up. Especially if you live in a very hot environment. So I went ahead and left it 1/4 open. Just in case. I just did this yesterday. No issues so far. And everything was clamped down with hose clamps. So its not going anywhere.
Update from a week after doing this, I've had zero issues (mechanical) and it does seem a lot cooler. I think its worth it and I like the fact that if I trade it in or if I'm gonna have some maintenance done on it by the dealership, I can remove the valve with new tubing and just connect the original tubing back like it never happened. That way they don't blame me for somehow messing it up. If I would've had the clamp, it would've left an indentation. But that's just me. To each their own.
Can you show picture?
@@jeffreygarber7678 send me your email. I can send you some pics.
@@jeffreygarber7678 email sent
Joe R. Would you mind sending me the pics too? Lleal9@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Thanks for the video! I just did mine and went from 58 to 48 in 95F Houston heat.
Yep definitely gotta try it I can’t do this 58 in Houston
Do you have picture of which hose to clamp?
@@1829casper At 59 seconds it shows you
Dont know which hose to clamp 😕 I got the v6 ram 1500 2019 same issue
Do you just clamp it off in the summer and unclamp in fall/winter? What is it ACTUALLY doing? Thanks
I know I’m a little late to the party...
Just bought a 2020 ram and I love it but the a/c is disappointing!
So this is pinching off the coolant going into the heater core/blend door?
Hello Did you go to dealership and have them check it out. I have a 2019 Ram And brought mine into dealer on insufficient ac cooling. The mechanic said he evacuated system did recharge with dye then tested AC at a RPM of 1500 and it tested within specs. It’s still the same cold but could be colder. I have noticed there really isn’t any large amounts of condensation dripping. I have R134 in mine not the new R1234 Freon. I recently looked at a 2006 Dodge 2500 one owner. The owner turned on the AC and it was very cold and had tons on condensation dripping into a puddle. Now this truck year had serious blend door issues. I think issues are with it not having sufficient Freon charge or AC components other than blend doors.
So I paid 80k for my wife’s truck and I have to put a 4 dollar clamp on it to make it work right? What the actual f#435! RAM? Apparently Chrysler quality is STILL an issue in 2020!
Has it gotten expensive yet?
@@matt22blaster oh whatever do you mean?
@@matt22blaster what's going to be expensive?
Did you clamp off the coolant to the heater core? Has it gotten expensive yet?
Did you try activating the Max AC button that is located in the climate section of the radio?
All my climate controls are buttons.
So it is clear the AC on these 5th gen Rams is weak. These issues are allover the net.
What bugs me is that these trucks spend years in development. Did anybody test drive these things in the summer?
How could they not know?
It will keep you cool during the summer months but it won't freeze you out your truck. Things could always be better some are better then others not sure why there all so different.
@@HughesGarage If i can keep driving at about 30 MPH or more the AC is actually not bad. But city driving last summer made driving that truck uncomfortable.
Yea it’s sucks big time.. I have one rebel 2020 and the ac has to be on level 5 for it to cool down the truck.. I have a gmc savana model 2016 and I always keep it on level 1 and it’s super cold .. that sometimes I have to adjust the temperature. I don’t know why the rebel ac is so bad, still works but I wish it was cooler
@@idontcaresapo8233 I went to ACE a few weeks ago and did the bypass some have done. It helps but I still have my ac at max or near it. For long trips the ac works ok. But city driving..nope
Matthew Tratz yea I know I’m in Florida and it’s hot as balls.... I always keep the ram’s ac at the levels 5-6 because less than that toy doesn’t cool down ... .. what bypass you are talking about? I want to do it . Anything that works
Is your truck diesel or gas?
Gas 5.7 hemi.
Lol my 06 Silverado blew me out of my seat 😂. I couldn’t even have it halfway on the fan speed or I’d die!! My 09 Ram leaves a lot to be desired only really cold on the hwy and it’s barely tolerable
I had an 05 Silverado 1500 crew cab, same thing, that AC got cold fast and I had to turn down the fan shortly after cooling things down. I have a 2019 Ram Classic 1500, not even close to the cold air that the older Chevy put out. Tinting the windows has helped out a lot, but will have to look into this, if hot water is still circulating into the heater core then maybe a valve will be good.
Yeah I'm very disappointed in the AC's performance for a brand new truck it's kind of ridiculous to be honest though that's about the only complaint I have with the Rams.
How's it working after a year? Has it throne any codes?
No codes works great.
@@HughesGarage Thanks
My question will this work on 4th gen
Yeah same quesiton
That I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
Sounds like there is a problem with the A/C system. If it needed clamps on the hoses it would have been engineered that way. Possibly void the warranty.
Nothing wrong with the AC system, this is a blending door close off. The AC still performs within spec without the hack, but with the hack it stops hot coolant from going into the blend system. Truckers have been doing this to their AC systems for well over 70 years (they install a gate valve); same exact thing.
Ram released a TSB to fix this issue. 5thgenrams.com/community/threads/a-c-performance.605/post-364641
How’s this holding up? Any damage to th hose
I would suggest not doing this long term.
I still can not see the lines.. can anyone show me a better way to see what lines are .. there is like 6 different lines in the same arra
Do a search for 2019 ram ac hack... on right side of engine 2 hoses connect near the front that run toward the cab. One says IN one says OUT
So, which one is it? The in or the out
@@claudegerard2802 At 59 seconds it shows you