When the temperature begins to rise, you may think that your car air conditioner no longer works, but it’s still blowing cold air.
It’s just not cooling enough for you to feel it.
There are several reasons why this might be happening, so use this guide to help you troubleshoot and fix your AC system if it’s not cooling your car down as much as you’d like!
You probably already know that there are two major parts of your car’s air-conditioning system—the compressor and condenser—and they work together to keep your vehicle cool in warm weather.
However, even if both parts work correctly, other factors affect how well they function; these include fan operation, cooling cycles, and even airflow direction.
Why is My Car AC Blowing Warm Air Intermittently?
It is normal for the car air conditioners to stop blowing cold air from time to time.
This can be due to different reasons, but what happens when your AC stopped working completely and you don’t know what you should do about it?
There are a few things that might have happened to your car’s air conditioner, but no need to worry because we are here to help you fix that problem. We will take a look at all possible scenarios and try to figure out how they might have happened.
Once we get through with each of them, you will be able to identify which one applies to your case and start taking action immediately.
So without further ado, let’s find out what could have happened when your car AC stopped blowing cold air.
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Car Air Conditioning Not Working – The Most Common Cause:
If your car’s AC not working then there is probably only one thing that has gone wrong with it – its compressor isn’t getting power anymore.
And when I say power, I mean electricity from your battery or alternator.
This can happen for several reasons, but most commonly you will have blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker somewhere in your vehicle.
Don’t worry though, because we are going to show you how to find and fix these problems easily!
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Car Air Conditioner Not Cooling Properly :
Check These Things First: If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly then chances are something else could be causing it to malfunction.
It could be something as simple as a dirty filter or an obstruction in the airflow. We will show you how to check for these things and how to fix them easily!
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Car Air Conditioner Leaking Water
You might have noticed that there is water leaking from somewhere in your car, especially if you park under trees or near large buildings. The most common place where water leaks are around your car’s A/C condenser.
If you don’t fix it right away then water can damage some of your vehicle’s electronic components and cause other serious problems.
Sometimes when your air conditioner stops working then it could be something more serious than just a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
Many things could go wrong with your car’s electrical system and we will help you figure out what they are so you can take action immediately.
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Car Air Conditioning Only Blows Hot Air:
Diagnosing The Problem: Your air conditioner only blows hot air means that something has gone wrong with its cooling system. Many things could cause such a problem, but chances are one of them will apply to your case.
What happens when Car AC Stopped Blowing Cold Air?
When the temperature begins to rise, you may think that your car air conditioner no longer works, but it’s still blowing cold air.
It’s just not cooling enough for you to feel it.
There are several reasons why this might be happening, so use this guide to help you troubleshoot and fix your AC system if it’s not cooling your car down as much as you’d like!
You probably already know that there are two major parts of your car’s air-conditioning system—the compressor and condenser—and they work together to keep your vehicle cool in warm weather.
However, even if both parts work correctly, other factors affect how well they function; these include fan operation, cooling cycles, and even airflow direction.
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Steps of Cleaning the Car AC Condenser Coil
The following are the steps needed to clean your car’s A/C condenser coil.
It is recommended that you complete these steps once a year, or if you drive in very hot, humid weather frequently.
- Locate your car’s condenser coils, which are located behind plastic shrouding under your vehicle’s hood.
- Remove any screws holding up the plastic shrouding.
- Once you have removed all of the screws, gently pull back on the shrouding and remove it from your vehicle.
- Use a garden hose to spray water onto your condenser coils for approximately 5 minutes. Be sure not to use too much water at one time so as not to cause damage.
- Let everything dry completely before replacing shrouding and reattaching any parts that were removed during cleaning.
- Run your air conditioning system for approximately 15 minutes after completing step 5 above. This will allow your cooling system to blow out any excess moisture left over from cleaning.
- Check coolant levels periodically while driving until they return to normal levels. If you notice that coolant levels continue to drop more than normal, then you may need additional repairs performed by a professional mechanic.
- You can also purchase an automotive-specific product that allows you to clean your condenser coils without removing them from your vehicle. These products are sold at most auto parts stores.
- Consult with a professional technician if you feel uncomfortable attempting to perform these repairs yourself. They can help assess whether there is an underlying problem causing your air conditioner to stop blowing cold air, and determine what course of action should be taken next.
- Make sure to replace your car’s air filter every 30,000 miles or 12 months. This will ensure that your AC system continues to run efficiently.
- Also check other components of your AC system such as hoses, belts, and fans. Any problems found here should be addressed immediately to prevent further issues down the road.
- Replace your radiator fluid every two years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first).
- Replace any leaking fluids immediately to avoid permanent damage to your engine.
- Keep your tires properly inflated to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce wear on your tires.
- Have regular tune-ups done regularly to keep your engine running smoothly?
- Keep track of how often you refill antifreeze, oil, etc., and get them changed when necessary.
- Inspect brake pads regularly for wear; replace as needed.
Car Ac Sometimes Works Sometimes It Doesn’t
That is Normal! Every vehicle has an air conditioning system that can cool down your vehicle and make you feel comfortable when it is very hot outside.
However, if you notice that your car’s air conditioner is not working as well as it should, you should seek professional help because there could be a problem with your car’s ac.
Most of these problems are minor and they can be fixed easily, but in some cases, it might mean major repair work.
If you want to know what happens when the car ac stopped blowing cold air, read on.
Here Are the Common Problems You Can Face with Your Vehicle’s Ac System:
- A leaky or broken seal: This issue occurs when you have one or more leaks in your car’s air conditioning system. This can cause moisture to get into your engine and rust out parts of it over time.
- Low refrigerant levels: The refrigerant inside your vehicle is responsible for cooling down its engine so that it can function properly. If you notice that your air conditioner isn’t functioning as well as it used to, chances are that your refrigerant levels are low.
- Faulty compressor: The compressor is responsible for pumping pressurized gas into your vehicle’s evaporator coil so that it can absorb heat from inside your car and turn it into cool air.
Car Ac Blows Cold Air When Idle and Warm Air When Moving
There are a few possible explanations for why your car’s air conditioner is blowing warm air while driving and cold when it’s idling.
The first thing to check is if any of your interior controls have been accidentally set at high instead of low, which would increase the heat in your cabin.
However, if you find that your settings are all correct, there could be an issue with your compressor itself. If you’re having trouble getting cool air from your vents, take your vehicle in to a mechanic to get checked out.
It may just need some repair work on its A/C system or compressor.
If not, there might be something more serious going on.
An overheating engine could cause problems with your cooling system, which will make things worse for your compressor.
In addition, dirty cooling fins or hoses can restrict airflow and make it harder for hot air to escape through them.
Your radiator may also leak, the most commonplace being where tubes join together which will keep coolant from circulating properly throughout your entire engine block.
Car Ac Stops Working When Hot Outside
There are several reasons why your car Ac will stop working when the weather is hot outside, topmost on the list has to do with the fact that your whole car is normally put under strain when outside weather conditions rise.
The hotter it is outside, the harder your air conditioning has to work, thereby putting much strain on it.
If you’re driving your car when it’s hot outside, and then suddenly realize that your air conditioning (AC) isn’t working, don’t panic.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize discomfort as long as you follow common-sense practices.
Here are some basic steps to diagnose and solve a broken air conditioner in your car: First of all, see if other vents in your car work correctly by switching between them for about 20 seconds.
This should also help identify whether or not it’s just your AC system that has stopped working.
If so, move on to step two below. If not, check out our guide on how to fix an A/C unit for more information. Second, turn off your engine and roll down all windows before checking under your hood.
You want to prevent any electrical problems from occurring while you’re dealing with an already faulty system. Once you have done so, look at your radiator cap – it should be slightly open if everything is okay; otherwise, it will be closed tightly due to pressure from within.
Car Ac Blowing Hot Air after Recharge
Every vehicle’s air conditioning unit can fail due to various reasons.
Even after recharging, in such cases, you will be required to change your AC compressor.
This system plays a major role in blowing cold air into your car so that you and your passengers feel comfortable while driving.
Every model of car is equipped with two compressors, but all vehicles come with one primary and one secondary compressor.
If both these compressors stop working, then there is no way of using the air conditioning system in your car.
To get rid of such issues, you need to replace them with new ones as soon as possible.
You can go for repair or replacement depending on your choice and budget.
The problem may occur because of many reasons like low refrigerant level, faulty condenser fan motor, or dirty evaporator coil which causes a poor cooling effect.
However, the most common cause of AC blowing hot after recharge may be a result of the leak.
If you by any chance suspect a refrigerant leak, it is advisable for an HVAC professional to take a look at it immediately.
Overcharging an Ac can also lead to serious problems as well as costing you quite a nice sum to have it repaired.
