It is recommended to check and clean the cabin air filter frequently. The temperature is skyrocketing and your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air.. Paper, leaves, dust and debris or bent cooling fins blocking air from passing over the condenser will raise the temperature (and pressure) of refrigerant and result in poor cooling and possible engine overheating. Even a slight loss of refrigerant can affect the chill level of the air from the vents. Faulty Heat Controller / Air Condition Control Unit, 9 Causes of Car AC is Not Blowing Cold Air, 7 Causes Why Car Temperature Gauge Stays on Cold, Alternator Not Charging - 6 Causes & Diagnostics, 7 Causes of Radiator Fan Is Not Coming On. Out-of-spec AC system pressures can help determine if an expansion valve or orifice tube is causing AC problems. Some of the most common auto ac repair questions that are asked are why the car’s air conditioner stops blowing air, why it stops blowing cold air, or why the AC is blowing hot air. Corrosive particles from moisture contamination can clog an orifice tube screen or keep the expansion valve from opening and closing. All prices and links were current as of publication. Imagine driving peacefully on a bright sunny morning, listening to your favorite music, and enjoying the scenery around you. Room air conditioners are also designed with a thermostat sensor (located behind the control panel), which measures the temperature of the air the unit is blowing out. When there’s a problem with the compressor clutch, your air conditioner won’t blow cool air for long. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), ten car problems you can easily fix yourself, about the freon phaseout (and why you should care), 105 super-simple car repairs in your own garage, How to Unlock a Car Door Without Your Keys, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Although an automotive AC system has few moving parts, diagnosing why your car is blowing warm air can be tricky. You have to make sure to check and clean the air filter at least once a month. One of the most common causes of an air conditioner malfunctioning is a freon leak. 25-30°). These devices use desiccant (like those little packets you find in a box of new shoes) to absorb moisture in the AC system. Hi, I’m Magnus, the owner and the writer of Mechanic Base. The condenser needs wind through it to remove the heat properly. Plus, learn about the freon phaseout (and why you should care). 2. They have the specialty tools and equipment to accurately diagnose the problem, safely reclaim and recycle refrigerant and make repairs to keep you cool while driving. Air Conditioner - If your car's air conditioner stops working on a hot day, then the ride to your destination can be quite uncomfortable. If your unit is not blowing any cold air, the sensor may have been knocked out of its position. Some car compressors use a clutch inside the air compressor. If your air is blowing cool but not cold, the problem could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge your AC. Refrigerant freezes skin quickly and that is really painful. For instance, if it’s manually set to the Heat instead of Cool, or when the cooling range is set too high while the mode is set to Auto (eg. There are a variety of reasons why your car AC is not blowing cold air. 9. If your car’s air conditioning goes out on a hot summer day, your commute to work and to run errands is going to be miserable. If this clutch is too worn, it may cause the AC compressor not to start at all. The cooling fan in the condenser is the first thing that you should look into while finding out the reason for car air conditioner not blowing cold air when idling. Then, gradually, you began to notice that it wasn't really blowing cold air anymore, or that it would only blow cold when the car was moving but not at idle. Modern AC systems use an expansion valve or orifice tube to control the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator. Use your garden hose to flush the condenser and radiator fins. Read and follow all instructions that are included with your AC recharge kit and read and heed all warnings carefully. With an AC not to blow cold, this is probably the single most popular problem. So your car's AC was doing fine for the longest time. Freon Leak. The AC system should always be leak checked before a refill. Step 3: Check the strength of airflow. Or worse yet, you come out to start the car one day, turn on the AC and it's blowing barely cold air when it was fine just yesterday. A defective condenser fan. This part is called the blend door actuator inside your car, and it is controlling a flap that is redirecting hot or cold air inside of your car. If you notice a strange odor when using the AC, it usually indicates the evaporator is leaking refrigerant. Low Refrigerant/ Gas. The AC system is also leaking very slowly through hoses and other places. A defective blower fan, engine cooling fans and relays can affect AC system operation and cooling performance. These include: Low Refrigerant: Low refrigerant will prevent your air conditioner from operating (the clutch won’t kick in and make the compressor cycle if the amount of pressure in the system is off). Fixing the AC could be as simple as recharging your car's AC refrigerant or repairing a refrigerant leak but may also require complex electrical climate control repair or slipping compressor clutch to get your air conditioning operating at top performance once again. Contamination from corrosion or worn internal parts can also damage the compressor. Worse, once desiccant becomes oversaturated it can seep into the AC system, damaging or clogging every AC component. Moisture reacts with refrigerant oil to form damaging corrosive acids. Up next, vehicle repairs and maintenance tasks don’t always have to be done in the shop. Only let a certified workshop with the proper equipment do work to your AC system. “Car ac not blowing cold air when hot outside” or “car ac not cold enough”: This happens due to two reasons. Check to make sure the clutch assembly — located at the front end of the AC compressor — is engaging. The air conditioner won’t run properly unless your engine is running. Start with the fan speed turned to its highest setting. It is an indicator that your AC needs repair or replacement. Even if you have recharged your AC, the issue in other car machinery can affect its working too. This setup can look a little bit different, but the main function is the same. If your system occasionally runs cold air, your thermostat could be set to ‘on’, rather than ‘auto’. Always wear safety glasses and gloves when working with refrigerant. It happens that the pump fails and stops pumping at all, and this will cause your AC system to blow hot air. The most common reasons that AC blows warm air in car are leaks in the air cooling system, broken compressor, worn-out clutch or electrical wiring problems. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Automotive Tools & Supplies. Common car heater problems explained Car issues can make people scratch their heads. A ride can be even more uncomfortable if you are stuck in traffic. The filter catches all the dust and impurities that enter the passenger compartment and can, therefore, become clogged over time. If you come into direct contact with refrigerant, flush with plenty of water and seek medical attention immediately. A sure sign of low refrigerant is the AC compressor repeatedly clicking off and on, called short-cycling. Some include oil; dye to help locate leaks; or additives that rejuvenate O-rings and seals. Here are five possible reasons why it’s not working properly. If this actuator is faulty, your car might blow hot air out from the vents even if you require cold air. 3. The best setting for diagnosis is “fresh air” (not recirculated) with the air blowing out of the center vents in the dash and the AC turned on. Unreliable car heaters can … If your air conditioning mechanics is not up to par, then have a certified car air-conditioning system mechanic check it for you. I have been working with cars for 10 years, specialized in diagnostics and troubleshooting. If the pressure gets too high – it will stop the AC compressor from cooling the system anymore because of safety reasons. Having your car’s air conditioning go out suddenly can ruin your day fast. Therefore, it is possible that your car is low on refrigerant that is preventing your air conditioning from working properly. If your car has a “Max AC” setting, select that option. If you can hear the blower fan running but there is barely any air coming from the vents, the evaporator fins are probably clogged with leaves or debris. If this fan fails, there might be a problem with the AC system at lower speeds. For this, we need a fan that can run instead of the wind at lower speeds. You can replace this clutch in many AC compressors or even remove shims for the clutch for it to work a little bit more. The serpentine belt powers the air compressor pulley, and when you activate the AC – the clutch is connecting the air compressor to the pulley. It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, there are things that you can do if your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. There could not only be damages to the AC compressor clutch; the compressor itself can also fail if you are unlucky. The most common causes when car AC is not blowing cold air are an empty AC system, faulty air compressor, faulty AC pressure switch, and a clogged cabin filter. This requires a technician to adjust it back to its right place. why is my car air conditioner not blowing cold air? Plus, check out these ten car problems you can easily fix yourself. Overheating. This often causes the AC condenser to start leaking refrigerant, which will cause the AC refrigerant to pour out. If you leak in the AC system, the pressure will get lower and lower and finally stops working at all. If you want to know more, you can read our article Why should I replace my Cabin Air filter. When an air conditioning unit is not blowing cold air, it could sometimes be due to certain settings. Recharging the AC system is usually a one-time fix. Running the AC 10 minutes a week, even in the winter, helps circulate refrigerant oil and lubricate the compressor and condition O-rings and seals. Here are the common causes an AC system is not blowing cold air. If your car’s air conditioner suddenly stops working, it can be incredibly inconvenient. #1 Your Car has a Freon Leak. When the car ac is not blowing air from vents it is a sign of a faulty blower fan or air duct blockage. ‘Auto’ will blow out air depending on the room temperature. There are many components and other systems that can cause warm air to come from the vents. This one is often overlooked when diagnosing an AC system problem. Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. Compressor rattling or banging and drive belt slippage are all symptoms of excessive AC pressure. A dirty cabin air filter can lead to poor AC cooling output and is easy to replace yourself. It is possible that there is dirt or moisture that has built up in your car’s air conditioning unit. It may be a leak in your refrigerant, or you need to re-charge, or re-gas, your refrigerant. Your AC cools air by blowing it over the evaporator coil. The main issues that occur with the car’s air conditioning system are due to poor maintenance. Home; About Us. There’s nothing quite like being stuck in a hot car in the middle of a traffic jam. Also, check that the AC service port (Schrader) valve caps and O-rings are in place and only hand-tight. Here is a more detailed list of the most common causes of a car AC not blowing cold air. A broken condenser is another real cause for which your car AC might not operate properly. The most common causes when car AC is not blowing cold air are an empty AC system, faulty air compressor, faulty AC pressure switch, and a clogged cabin filter. The last cause on this list is a faulty heat controller. Most newer cars have a variable AC compressor, though, and in this case, no AC compressor clutch can fail. There are several DIY AC system recharging kits available. For the AC system to work properly, it needs this pressure and a specific amount of refrigerant. If your air conditioner doesn't blow cold air it could be because the filter compartment is dirty or stuck. Most of the time, issues with your car’s A/C happens due to either a mechanical, electrical, or structural malfunction. Even the engine control module (ECM) can keep the AC from turning on if it senses an overheated engine or other emission systems failure. Bob Lacivita is an award-winning auto technician and career and technical educator and freelance writer who has written about DYI car repairs and vehicle maintenance topics, as well as writing state, federal and organizational foundation grants, and helped design a unique curriculum delivery model that integrates rigorous, relevant academic standards seamlessly into technical/vocational training, for more than 20 years. I created this blog because I was tired of finding false information on the web while looking for repair information. You do often have to replace the AC condenser at least every 10 years. If your air conditioning isn’t blowing cold air, there are a … Compressor repairs are not a DIY fix. Take your vehicle to a certified technician if the DIY suggestions given here didn’t do the trick, or if the system won’t turn on at all. The compressor is another common cause of auto AC problems. Freon is the chemical refrigerant that cools the warm air before it is blown back into your car. It’s frustrating when your air conditioner won’t blow cold air in St. Petersburg. The AC compressor pumps refrigerant around in the AC system for it to cool properly. The Air condition control unit is often quite expensive, and it is recommended to check the other things first. Lastly, the reason why your car air-conditioning isn’t blowing cold air is because your … If this AC pressure is faulty, it can give the AC compressor faulty signals to stop – even if it shouldn’t, and this will cause your AC system not to function at all. Get a kit that matches the type of refrigerant in your vehicle and includes a gauge to test system pressure before adding refrigerant. The compressor is another common cause of auto AC problems. The main issues that occur with the car’s air conditioning system are due to poor maintenance. It can be cleaned out to help resolve the problem. A faulty blower fan can make the car ac stopped working suddenly. If your car heater is suddenly blowing out cold air instead of heat in the middle of a bitterly cold winter, you have a good reason to be frustrated. Sometimes blower motors and/or their resistors will fail and stop pushing both hot and cold air through the vents. If your AC needs frequent recharging, it’s time to visit your repair shop. Check to make sure the clutch assembly — located at the front end of the AC compressor — is engaging. If you feel that there is a meager amount of air blowing through the vents, it could absolutely be a clogged air filter. Bob and his wife lived through 20 years' worth of DIY home remodeling while parenting two (now grown) boys and now relax by watching their three fabulous granddaughters. Reasons Why Your Car’s AC Might Have Stopped Being Cold Now that you have a clearer understanding of how your car’s A/C works, we can discuss the reasons why it may no longer work as it should. Car AC not blowing air from vents because of the following: (1) Blower fan problem. This is very slow, though, and you can expect to refill it every 6-7 years. The AC condenser is often installed in front of the radiator, and this makes it sitting in a very exposed position for stones and other parts that can damage it at high speeds. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Moisture can build up in a system that is leaking and low on refrigerant. It’s that specific unit in your car that retains the refrigerant cold … Look for oil stains on the condenser (located in front of the radiator), compressor, refrigerant hoses or fittings. There could be several reasons behind this problem. In this case, you can clean it yourself or even change this element. If it’s hot in a situation of car air conditioner blowing hot air, then it’s an engine problem. Also, a clogged cabin air filter leads to a deterioration in the air conditioning system’s cooling. A well-maintained air conditioner can work properly to cool your room. If you haven’t refilled it in 6-7 years, it is definitely time for a refill, and if it was more recently you filled it, it is time to check for any leaks. Its a common reason for air conditioning units not to be blowing as cold of air as you would like. If the pressure gets too low, it will also shut off the function of the AC compressor. If the AC compressor fails, you often have to flush the whole AC system afterward because there might be metal pieces everywhere. You can test the fuses using an inexpensive 12V test light or digital voltmeter (preferred) and check that all electrical connections are clean, tight and secure. However, if the coil gets too cold, the condensation on it will freeze, turning the coil into a big block of ice. We recommend our users to update the browser. Why should I replace my Cabin Air filter. If this fails, it may send the wrong signal to the blend door actuator, and this may cause it to blow hot air instead of cold. His work has been featured in Family Handyman, a Reader's Digest book and Classic Bike Rider magazine, among others. Locating refrigerant leaks can be difficult even for the pros. It’s a nightmare to find your AC not blowing cool air in burning summers. When you turn the heat controller on the AC control unit, there needs to be something that controls the heat inside the car. A damaged, failing, or worn compressor can’t properly regulate the flow of refrigerant in the A/C system to deliver the cool air you crave. You can easily do these 105 super-simple car repairs in your own garage. A cabin air filter is responsible for filtering the air that enters the vehicle’s air conditioning system. The condenser is installed in the front of the car, transferring heat away from the evaporator inside the car. With the engine running, blower fan on max high and AC controls set to the lowest temperature, the clutch should be spinning. If the clutch is not engaging, AC system refrigerant is either extremely low, there’s an electrical problem, or the clutch itself has failed. This makes the AC compressor to spin and power the AC system. A malfunctioning air conditioner can spoil your summer fun. 1. One of them is the low quantity of the refrigerant, which prevents the refrigerant from absorbing the coldness as required. But, people generally face this issue. Each of these problems has its own level of gravity thus different costs of repairing. Low refrigerant levels due to a leaky O-ring, seal or other component are the most common problems associated with a poorly performing AC system. Because the evaporator is usually tucked up under the instrument panel, your mechanic will have to figure out if the evaporator is the culprit. Most older cars have wires for this, but newer cars have an electronic signal between these, which can fail. Some cars have a shut off feature that will disengage your car air conditioner compressor if your engine is under duress. As you might understand, it won’t pass any wind through it at lower speeds. You may hear a slight “click” or change in engine speed when the clutch engages. Services In the condenser, the hot refrigerant transfers heat to the air, pushed by vehicle motion or pulled by electric fans. It results in a hellish driving experience due to the heat buildup in the car. Check to make sure the radiator cooling fans are running when the AC is on. Your AC system is filled with an ac refrigerant, making sure the whole system is working correctly. This means the aircon is constantly blowing air, even when it doesn’t need to. This refrigerant system is of high pressure, and it can reach 15 bars when the car is running. Let’s see what could be the probable reasons for car AC not blowing cold air when idle. On modern cars, there are any number of fuses, pressure/temperature sensors or switches that can keep the AC from turning on. by Magnus SellénUpdated: February 8, 2021. So, let’s find out why the car AC not blowing cold air after recharge. However, if the coil gets too cold, the condensation on it will freeze, turning the coil into a big block of ice. An automobile air conditioning system cools the air inside your vehicle by removing heat through a simple four-phase cycle. This typically happens if the engine is too hot, so be sure to check your car’s temperature. That results in no cooling and the need for extensive repairs. If you do not feel any air or if you only feel air coming through the vents on certain settings, the problem may lie with the AC’s blower motor or the blower motor resistor. If the fan is damaged or cannot run with its full force, it cannot cool down … Absolutely desperate, of course! There are a couple of reasons why your car AC is not blowing cold air. The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. Since today’s air conditioning systems can be very delicate and need a specific amount of freon to operate, a leak in the system can be a big issue. Any problem in your car that has to do with air conditioning can be very distressing, especially if you live in a hot country. 1. There are two AC pressure switches in your car that monitor the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side of the air condition system for safety reasons. But we wanted to explain here 5 of the most common reasons why we find that car and truck air conditioning units are not blowing cold air, and the best way to overcome this issue- and get the AC cold again! Now, imagine that your car’s air conditioning system suddenly stops blowing cold air; how would you feel? If you know how to gauge and refill Freon, do it. Blocked condenser. Low coolant will stop the operation of the air conditioner (the clutch does not kick in and will allow the compressor work if the voltage in the machine is off). When the air filter is dirty, your air conditioner will not effectively cool your house. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. If you notice that your AC is working at higher speeds but not lower, there could definitely be a problem with the condenser fan. So, why is my car AC blowing hot air? Main Causes of Why Is My Car Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air? I hope you enjoy my content!