Top 7 Reasons Why Your Car AC is Not Blowing Cold Air

Are you sweating in your car and wondering why your car AC is not blowing cold air? If yes, then this article is for you.

Car AC in a scorching summer makes any commute a very relaxed affair. But this lasts only until the air conditioning is effective. The easiness vanishes once the car’s air conditioner stops blowing cold air. Any such issue with your vehicle can be extremely upsetting, especially if you are driving on a hot day.

There could be several causes why your AC stops blowing cold air. Let us talk about some of these reasons:

List Of The Reasons Your Car Ac Is Not Blowing Cold Air

There might be various reasons why your air conditioner stops blowing cold air.

This could be due to the regular wear and tear caused due to usage or any damaged, broken, or dysfunctional pieces. It is important to take your car to the best auto mechanic and get it checked. Let’s look at a few of the causes that might be responsible for it.

1. Faulty AC Compressor

AC Compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. In essence, the compressor enables the circulation of a vital fluid, the refrigerant, through the air conditioning system, just like your heart pumps blood to your body.

The refrigerant in the system is pressurized and cycled by the compressor. If deprived of it, the compressor can swiftly fail. When this happens, all cooling stops immediately, and the car’s interior temperature rises. This is one of the biggest reason why your car AC is not blowing cold air.

2. Damaged Car AC Condenser

The condenser of an air conditioning system is a slim, radiator-like component positioned below the grill of a car. The refrigerant inside the condenser changes from gaseous to liquid form when air passes over it, losing heat in the process.

Insignificant dust and gravel on the roads can also result in a condenser leak. The condenser begins to leak refrigerant, causing it to spill out. The condenser, responsible for removing heat from the air conditioner unit, cannot perform its role, thus rendering the air conditioning system inoperable.

It is advisable to send the car to a car repair shop every 3-6 months for car air conditioning service. At an auto care shop, they would inspect your vehicle closely for any signs of damage.

3. Low/Excess Refrigerant

Low refrigerant is one of the primary reasons behind poor air conditioning cooling or why your car AC is Not Blowing Cold Air. Low refrigerant could be due to unidentified leaks in the system. In any case, before you recharge the system, the leak should be found and fixed.

Excessive pressures can reduce an A/C system’s efficiency, though they are less common than low refrigerant levels. Overcharging the system frequently results in these pressures that are higher than usual. This typically happens when a driver uses an at-home charging kit to try adding more refrigerant to their car’s air conditioning system.

4. Air/Moisture Contamination

A car’s air conditioning system must be clear of air and moisture contaminants for optimum performance. An AC system’s pressures might become unpredictable even if a tiny amount of air or moisture is present.

The air is frequently introduced into such a system when using an at-home charging kit. The desiccant inside the system that keeps it dry and stable is present within the system’s drier/receiver or accumulator and might also damage by too much moisture. So, Moisture or contamination is also one of the biggest reason why your car AC is not blowing cold air.

5. Clogged Cabin Filter

The Air cabin filter is located behind the glove compartment and is essential to any vehicle’s heating and cooling system.

The air filter in the cabin purifies any air you breathe inside a car and helps protect it from dangerous particles like pollen and dust. This filter can eventually become clogged since it collect dust and contaminants that will then enter the passenger area.

Additionally, when this filter clogs, it impairs the cooling ability of the car’s air conditioner. It is advisable to inspect and maintain the cabin filter regularly. So, next time you notice an unpleasant odour inside your car, replace the cabin filter to give the system and yourself a breath of fresh air!

6. Fault In The Heat Controller

The HVAC (Heater, ventilation, and air conditioning) control panel might get faulty on your car and send erratic signals. If the HVAC system fails it sends incorrect signals to the blend door actuator, making it blow hot air.

The blend door actuator is a little electric motor that appears to be a little box with some inside plastic gears. It manages the climate control system in your vehicle. It sends the signals when you crank the dial to change the temperature or airflow. The defrosters and other vents are also under its control.

The older car models use cables for this; however, the latest cars send an electrical signal that can malfunction. Therefore, it is advisable to get a check done by car AC specialists. So, fault in the heat controller is also one of the most common reason why your car AC is not blowing cold air.

7. Faulty Radiator/Cooling Fan

Cooling fans lie between the radiator and the engine, which pull the cold air through the car’s radiator. In recent days, electric cooling fans have shown improvement over engine-driven fans, which slow down when they’re most needed.

These fans occasionally serve as a cooling source for the condenser of the cabin air conditioner. An overheated engine may be the result of a failing cooling fan.

Common Problems

Imagine you are on a road trip with your friends to the countryside on a hot summer day, and suddenly, your AC stops cooling your car. It would be a total nightmare! But if you know what might have led to this happening, you can save your and your friend’s day.

Let’s see the possible reasons behind an AC that doesn’t blow cold air and understand how to fix these reasons and how much cost you have to bear for it.

Why Is My Ac Running But Not Blowing Cold Air?

The most common cause of an air conditioner that fails to blow cold air is an open-air conditioner system that has developed a leak. The refrigerant is the working fluid that absorbs heat from the surroundings and provides cooling when combined with other elements like compressors and evaporators. Now, if that develops a leak, there are high chances your AC is not blowing cold air.

While the unidentified leak is the primary cause for something like that, a broken compressor, a damaged AC condenser, or an unreliable AC pressure switch can also cause it. It may also, albeit less frequently, be a problem with your heat controller.

Before leaving for a long ride, if you doubt that the car’s ac is not working correctly, have it checked or serviced by a professional auto mechanic shop so that you don’t miss out on the joys of a road trip with your friends.

How do I fix my car’s air conditioner that is not cooling?

It is advisable to self-diagnose your car’s AC issues but to fix it, it’s best at least to seek advice from an auto care shop regarding car AC repair. You will probably cause more harm than good by attempting to resolve the issue. It’s even better to leave repairs to a car mechanic when an air conditioning system is not working.

However, there are some DIY techniques for maintaining your car’s air conditioner in advance of a problem. It is essential to use these techniques to keep your car AC in good working condition because AC repairs are frequently expensive.

• Once per week, turn on the AC.
• For five to ten minutes, use the defrost mode.
• In the winter, use your AC.
• Every two years, ensure a car air conditioning servicing.

To prolong the life of various components used inside your vehicle’s Air conditioning system, preventative A/C service is highly beneficial.

How Much Does a car AC Repair Cost?

Nothing is unquestionably worse than an avalanche of automotive expenses. When it pours, it rains. Typically, the cost for a car AC service ranges from $100 to $900, depending on the severity of the problem.

To replenish your AC system with refrigerant, one should typically budget between $100 and $250. However, costs are likely to increase when you need to buy extra components like a new condenser, compressor, sensor, or hose. You may still have to pay several hundred dollars for repairs even if none of these components needs replacement.

Trying to fix an AC damage yourself without the necessary knowledge or equipment may result in you spending more money to repair the damage. In that case, taking your car to an auto care service can help you save money in the long run.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, in this article, we have looked at the Top 7 Reasons Why Your Car AC is Not Blowing Cold Air.

While driving your car in hot weather, you need an effective air conditioner; without it, it would be awful. If your car’s AC doesn’t work correctly, it’s typically because of a refrigerant leak from the AC system. Poor maintenance is also another reason behind the air conditioners that fail to blow cold air.

A faulty compressor and condenser can also cause it. To fix the air conditioning problem, it is advisable to take a car mechanic’s help rather than fixing it yourself, which might put you in more trouble than before. Taking your car to an auto care service is highly beneficial, but the service might cost you $100 to $900.