A/C Issues in 2021 Kia Stonic: Suspected Heat Exchanger Temperature Sensor Fault

Hey, sounds rough. Had a similar problem with my 2018 Kia Sportage. Thought it was a minor issue but turns out the AC control unit was defective. The compressor, condenser, all were in okay shape, it was just the control unit not doing its job, messing up the whole system. This wasn't exactly a quick fix, considering the control unit handles a multitude of functions like your heating, cooling, and fan speed. Going in, I was worried this could be a major deal but thankfully it wasn't as serious as some other potential issues. Now, be prepared, they had to pull apart the dashboard to get to it. Time-consuming for sure, but nothing like an engine rebuild or transmission replacement. Hence, I'd suggest getting it checked by a proficient chap. Hope this helps, and best of luck with it!

Hey there, thanks a bunch for the advice! Seems like you've been through the wringer with your own Kia troubles. Looks like I’m about to follow in your footsteps, given that my Stonic is pulling the same tricks. Just to manage my expectations, do you remember roughly how much the repair cost you? And has the AC control unit been behaving since they fixed it? Hope I'm not diving into a rabbit hole here. Look forward to hearing more about your experience. Cheers!

Yo, no problem at all, happy to help! Yeah, my Kia gave me a bit of a run around, but since the mechanic sorted it out it's been smooth sailing. Regarding your question about the cost, it did make my wallet a bit lighter - ended up shelling out about 980€ in total. Might sound a bit steep, but considering the trouble I was dealing with, I thought it was a fair deal. The key was the heat exchanger temperature sensor issue you were suspecting. My mechanic friend gave it a thorough look and nailed it down. Once fixed, my AC was back to spewing out cool air like it's supposed to. I reckon it's held up pretty well since then. My advice to you? Just brace yourself for the dent it might put in your pocket, but also remember fixing it might be the end of your AC woes. Fingers crossed!

Much obliged for the intel! I've definitely got a clearer picture of what lies ahead - sounds like a bit of a mission and a fair hit to the wallet, but hopefully worth it in the end. I'll get the Stonic into the shop, and I'll be sure to give an update when it's all sorted. Just hope my experience ends up as positive as yours. Fingers crossed indeed! Cheers!