If you live in a hot climate, the idea of a defective Car Air Conditioner fills you with horror. It is certainly not fun driving around in the scorching heat, and the heat inside your car could bring health and safety issues. Your malfunctioning Air Conditioner could lead to more than discomfort. Still, it could result in dizziness and full heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.
So what are the reasons why your car air conditioning is not blowing cold air?
The most common reason your car’s air conditioning has given up the ghost is a faulty compressor or a coolant leak. Most car air conditioning problems are down to a non-functioning compressor.
Here are six fault finding tips to help identify why your air conditioner is not working properly
1. Low Gas
Low gas is the most common reason for car air conditioning to be blowing hot, not cold. Re-gassing is an easy fix as most garages have the equipment to re-gas your air conditioning. It will take about an hour and afterwards should be ice cold, and it is pretty inexpensive. Your system will also be pressure tested to check for future leaks or problems during the process. It is best not to do this yourself as the gas has to be recovered and disposed of by professionals.
2. Refrigerant Leakage
Leakages are the most likely reason for the issue above. With low pressure because of a leak, the compressor will not be able to function efficiently and leave you with hot air coming from your vents.
A professional garage will detect the leak using an electronic monitor or put an Ultra Violet activated dye into the system. If you suspect where the leak is, you could go old-school and use soapy bubbles. If the leak is at a hose joint, it is possible to seal it yourself with a sealant designed for air conditioning units. If it leaks due to a mechanical component wearing, it will require a trip to the garage for replacement. In either case, it would be best to have the system re-gassed.
3. Air Conditioner Condenser Blockage
The condenser on your car’s air conditioning is just another radiator. The condenser is at the front of the vehicle for maximum airflow, and it is also positioned perfectly to receive dirt and debris. Check the condenser for accumulated dust and dirt. If it is dirty, it is going to need cleaning. Some vehicles have pretty easy access to the condenser. A good brush and hose down will probably get everything back up and running.
4. Air Conditioning Compressor Failure
The compressor does precisely that.
It compresses the coolant and pushes it through the condenser unit. Your air conditioning will not function correctly with a faulty compressor. Take your car to a certified air conditioning specialist for repair.
5. Cabin Filter
Cabin filters are usually located in most modern vehicles’ glove boxes and are an easy replacement part for air conditioners. Before the air is sent out of the vents to cool you down, it passes through the cabin filter, and a clogged filter will not allow sufficient airflow through the system.
6. Fan Damage
Debris collected on the motor fans can eventually lead to failure. Debris will obstruct cool air from getting to the condenser, resulting in warm air even with the air conditioning on full.
7. Condenser Damaged
Check for noticeable signs of damage or debris obstructing the condenser. It is not uncommon to find things such as plastic bags wrapped around the condenser, impairing its’ functioning.
8. Condenser Fan Failure
The fan could be damaged or fail to rotate at all. Check for dust and dirt and also check the fuses. If you are skilled enough, check there is power to the fan. Otherwise, it is best to seek professional help.
