Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. It’s also possible that there is a very simple reason your car air conditioning is not cold, and that is electrical. Especially if is one of those days where putting down the windows just won’t cut it and help cool it off. Why is my car air conditioner not blowing cold air? Any number of culprits could be causing your car A/C to blow cold then warm air, including: A Leak in the A/C System A small refrigerant leak is the most common reason a car’s A/C gradually loses its cool. But A/C is more than just comfort; it’s a safety issue too. Once you have your gauges hooked up, move on to observing the AC compressor itself. Please note that the tool that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program. It then feeds that cool air into the engine. Failing internal components caused by normal wear or low AC Oil levels caused by leaks. High condenser pressure is a sign of air in the system. If there’s a restriction somewhere in the system, it blocks it all up and prevents the AC from blowing cold. Tap Freon can and open valve to begin charging. Air in a car AC system decreases the system’s cooling ability because it takes up space in the condenser, yet it doesn’t condense. The AC orifice tube / expansion device filters and regulates the flow of refrigerant through your air conditioning system. Problem #1: Refrigerant leak Refrigerant is the liquid/gas responsible for absorbing heat from your home’s air. It is important to check your car’s air conditioning system from time to time and make sure it is working properly. In this case, you can clean it yourself or even change this element. The Accumulator/Drier collects and absorbs moisture. This happens most often in the winter when the seals and tubes contract. There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of a brake job. Problem: Air Conditioning Goes from Cold to Hot When you’re driving and the air suddenly goes from comfortably cool to horribly hot, you know there’s a problem. Water in an AC system reacts with the refrigerant to form hydrochloric acid (HCI). Use the tester to search for a leak. If it is working and not blowing cold enough it is possible you have a leak and there is not enough refrigerant in the … Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. This returns the refrigerant back to a liquid state where it will once again enter the evaporator core and absorb more heat from the interior. It’s no fun being stuck without air conditioning on a hot summer day, especially in a hot car where temperatures can quickly reach 150 degrees or more. What you can do is check whether the electric cooling fan that sits beside the condenser is running. Over time, most car AC systems develop leaks and lose a small amount of refrigerant. Common Problems: Contamination is the main cause of failure. 4-when I press the AC button the compressor engage without any proplem. What’s happening? Fortunately, if the system is low on refrigerant, you can recharge it to regain access to ice cold air within just a few minutes. Car air conditioner not cold? Use the key to start the car and turn the air conditioner on high. Luckily, a small amount of basic maintenance and some quick inspections can get your car ready to drive through winter weather. Leaks can result in over-saturation of the desiccant material that can lead to compressor damage. Look for any restrictions like leaves, bugs or dirt that would keep air from passing over the condenser. When the car is already overheated and the fans in the radiator and condenser are not properly working for some reason, the system can’t cool down the heat with the maximum efficiency. It's not the Freon. Or, you can simply take your vehicle to the professionals as they know what exactly to do. If you’re tracking down a wiring issue, Eautorepair.net is the better choice. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. When diagnosing an air conditioning issue, it's easiest to begin at the compressor: If there is no voltage - a cycling switch may be bad, a fuse may be blown, and the system may not have enough refrigerant pressure to trip the low pressure cutoff switch that cycles the compressor. The air conditioning system is used when the open windows in the car are no longer cooling. Air in the system causes pressures on the high side to be higher than normal and causes the gauge needle to flutter. You don’t need to tolerate a stuffy, uncomfortable car, and you don’t need to rely on the shop to fix the problem either. Like sugar in the gas tank, this stuff in the wrong places can cause major problems. That is the most common question that people will ask in regards to their car’s air conditioner not working. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. #1 Your Car has a Freon Leak One of the most common causes of an air conditioner malfunctioning is a freon leak. How to keep your car's ac blowing ice cold in your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer. It’s that sludge that clogs the intake screens to the orifice tubes and expansion valves, preventing them from metering refrigerant into or out of the evaporator. The recommended high-side and low-side pressures can be found in your vehicle's repair manual, or online. Car ac repair. See this post for static pressures at ambient temperatures. As the metals oxidize, they release particles that combine with the refrigerant oil to form sludge. Leaks are the most common problem associated with the air conditioning system. Use this guide to help you get started replacing brake pads and rotors. The AC compressor is a rotating pump that circulates refrigerant (Freon) throughout the system. I am sure everyone wants their car air conditioner to work at its best, especially during scorching heat. If the air is warm to cool, but not cold as it should be, there may be an issue with air flow. When your air conditioning system isn’t blowing cool air, that is the first sign that you need auto AC repair. 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. If your air conditioner doesn't blow cold air it could be because the filter compartment is dirty or stuck. 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! Moisture in the system is freezing at the metering valve and restricting the flow of refrigerant. If your AC system is low on refrigerant, it won’t cool your home as well as it normally would. 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 … The compressor of the AC system moves heat from the radiator to the condenser. Leaking or Low Refrigerant Leaking or low refrigerant is the most common reason you might have an issue with a car A/C not blowing cold air. This article lists the most common causes. Although an automotive AC system has few moving parts, diagnosing why your car is blowing warm air can be tricky. A green and oily substance may appear in the drain tube if larger leaks are present. Sometimes oil or dye can be seen. Get the BEST auto repair information Alldatadiy.com and Eautorepair.net are professional-grade shop manuals—period. The system is sealed with r134a gas at a guess which has a pressure switch for high/low pressure safety. Any time an AC system leaks refrigerant out, it also lets outside air in. And something as simple as a blown fuse can cause it to stop working. Moreover, timely repair can avoid future issues as well. Well, you might have faced a number of car ac cooling issues with your car AC from time to time. While there are several potential issues, the most common is low refrigerant. Reasons Why Your AC System is Not Blowing Cold Air The main issues that occur with the car’s air conditioning system are due to poor maintenance. Air flowing across the AC condenser tubes cool the hot (gaseous) refrigerant that absorbed heat from inside the vehicle. Check around all fittings to verify that they are all secure. Check whether the electrical connections for the condenser fan is connected and seated firmly. However, Alldatadiy.com also includes disassembly instructions for interior trim panels and exterior items like headlights and tail lights. However, if you find that the cooling effect is missing, you should go on troubleshooting. When you turn on the car AC, you expect it to blow hot air for the first few minutes. 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. and it shut off only when I shut off the AC because it is soo hot here. Fortunately, there are things that you can do if your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. To test for air in the system, compare the static pressures listed in this charge to actual readings based on gauges and ambient temperature. The first culprit of your car air-conditioning not giving off cold air when the car idling is the lack of air flow in the condenser. Buy the same color if you replace yours. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Your brake pads and rotors help your vehicle make safe stops, so it's important to replace them when necessary. If you're starting a do-it-yourself air conditioning job, it's a good idea to take a look at the whole system. The engagement clutch, called an AC clutch, can also fail rendering the compressor inoperative. The car blows cool but not cold air. Overheated engine. So, whenever your Car AC not blowing cold air after recharge, follow the above tips. Clogged tube shows evidence of “Black Death.”. I mean, my car ac blows cool but not ice cold. That air blows through the AC vents which you breathe inside the car. Symptoms that can be causing your car ac to not be cold: 1 – Be sure your heater damper door is sealed properly and does not allow heater air to be mixed with ac air.. 2 – If your car ac is cold but there is not enough airflow, make sure nothing got sucked up into the return air under the dashboard.This will restrict airflow and cause your ac to not perform as designed. Common Problems: Refrigerant leaks. Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. There’s too many rambling answers on here. They cool the air by removing hot moisture. In most cases, their diagrams are right from the factory manuals. my AC is giving a cool air but not ice cold … A ride can be even more uncomfortable if you are stuck in traffic. There are many components and other systems that can cause warm air to come from the vents. Failed AC clutch. An electronic leak detector is the best way to check for leaks. A/C isn’t cooling? The AC evaporator acts like a huge ice cube with holes in it. Advice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on AutoZone.com and AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be used at your own risk. The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. Learn these factors and some standard prices from this guide. Having your car’s air conditioning go out suddenly can ruin your day fast. But first, ensure the refrigerant levels are correct and the radiator/A/C Condenser fan(s) are working properly. Failed power supply to the AC clutch caused by a blown fuse, bad pressure control switch, dash control module or a broken circuit wire. Troubleshoot these common car air conditioning system problems. Without a doubt, it is no fun when you pop on your car’s air conditioner only to not feel cold air. Common Problems: The number one cause of failure is a leak due to age and wear. Worse yet, moisture in the system in concentrations greater than 20ppm can cause serious damage. If there is voltage - the clutch may be bad. Alldatadiy.com, on the other hand, uses the factory diagrams. You can save yourself some cold cash by learning how to fix your car’s AC. Check the basics first. Another common reason for car AC not blowing cold air when idle is an overheated engine. If that’s not what is causing it, check the engine’s condenser. Orifice tubes are color coded. A single drop of water is enough to push the entire system over the 20-ppm threshold. If your AC is charged but not cold, read this. If your AC is charged but not cold, read this. Some of your A/C system’s parts, including your compressor, are electrical. 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. Feel the air coming out of the air conditioner and assess how warm, cool, or cold it is. What to Look For: If the refrigerant is low, check for visible system leaks that appear green and oily. They include wiring diagrams and technical service bulletins. Refrigerant and refrigerant oil readily absorb moisture when exposed to air. If the clutch is not engaging and the system has refrigerant, use a. The sludge coats the inside of the evaporator and condenser fins, reducing heat transfer efficiency resulting in a significant drop in cooling. So you have to refer to the factory legends to learn the identification symbols and then refer back to circuit diagrams to find the splice and ground locations. A person trained in air-conditioning can usually diagnose an issue by reading both gauges. Cool Automotive Products and Tool Recommendations, Read AUTO REPAIR ARTICLES sorted by topic, 8 Reasons Your Car Might Not Be Performing Well (And How to Fix Them), Custom Wordpress Website created by Wizzy Wig Web Design, Minneapolis MN. Air Conditioner – If your car’s air conditioner stops working on a hot day, then the ride to your destination can be quite uncomfortable. WRONG! Common Problems: Leaks in one or more seals or the compressor itself can occur. Pricing: ---Eautorepair.net--- 1 month subscription $19.95 per vehicle 1-year subscription $29.95 per vehicle 4-year subscription $44.95 per vehicle ---Alldatadiy.com--- 1-year $29.95 subscription: additional vehicles $19/95 each 5-year $49.95 subscription: additional vehicles $34.95 each Which one should YOU choose? Overheated engine Another common reason for car AC not blowing cold air when idle is an overheated engine. Leave it here, Check to see that the cooling fans on the condenser or. It allows the hot, cabin air to flow through the core, rapidly cools this air, and blows it out into the cabin again. Car AC won’t cool due to sludge Air carries moisture into your car’s AC system and that moisture combines with the refrigerant and oil to form sludge. Then, when summer arrives and the tubes and seals expand, it’s hard to find the leak. Check where the evaporator drains condensation with UV light. Information is accurate and true to the best of AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes. Particle contamination from worn parts inside the compressor are a frequent culprit. Give attention to the AC evaporator box water drain tube. At this point, the only fix is to open the system, flush the lines, replace the orifice tube/expansion valve, receiver/drier or accumulator, condenser and pull a vacuum for at least 45 minutes to pull all moisture from the system. With the engine running turn the A/C on max cool, set fans high, and make sure that the clutch is engaging on the compressor. The compressor of the AC system moves heat from the radiator to the condenser. The condenser, while looking like a radiator, acts as a cooler on the ambient temperature that blows through the car. The air conditioner won’t run properly unless your engine is running. Depending on your vehicle, you may have an accumulator or a receiver/drier. 2. Problems an AC tech will need to fix Now, we’ll cover a few warm-air AC problems that you’ll need to contact a professional to fix. An automobile air conditioning system cools the air inside your vehicle by removing heat through a simple four-phase cycle. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle. So it reduces the condensing capacity of the condenser. If pressure is low, then there may be a leak: Note: The dye check will not work if the system is too low and the compressor is not cycling. Keep the Freon can upright to only charge with gaseous Freon. If your Ac is warm at idle, takes forever to get cold and you have to keep it low to feel cool a new refrigerant control valve solenoid will probably fix that. While checking the AC Condenser, inspect the Radiator / AC cooling fan motor(s). AC systems do not actually create cool air. It’s possible that the expansion valve that dispenses the correct amount of refrigerant to the evaporator has failed. It’s located in front of the grille. But if it happens to you, know that you are not alone. If the system pressures are too high and/or too low, the expansion device could possibly be the issue. The receiver/drier and accumulator have a bag of desiccant drying agent to remove and hold the moisture, but it has a limited capacity. Most likely it’s low on gas. Use caution when working with automotive batteries. Depending on your vehicle, you may have an orifice tube or an expansion valve. This happens most often in the winter when the seals and tubes contract. HCI corrodes steel, iron, copper and aluminum. Check to see … The hardest part of figuring out the right fix is knowing where to start. FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Gloves are a good choice as the escaping Freon can be extremely cold and the fittings on the air conditioner system will get very hot when system is operating. If you frequently add refrigerant from a DIY recharge kit and have finally reached the point where the system is fully charged but not cold, chances are you’ve caused the damage yourself. Check out this guide with three things to check before going to the mechanic so you can diagnose your specific climate control problem. Over time, most car AC systems develop leaks and lose a small amount of refrigerant. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Inspect and test before replacing! If the air conditioning is set to max cool and fans on high, but is only blowing moderately cool air: Beyond this, the next step is to always check the pressures in the system using a manifold gauge set. Over time, the bag of desiccant can fail, spreading the desiccant throughout the system where it clogs the orifice tube and expansion valve. Common Problems: Internal failure allowing desiccant material to enter the AC system. Because the cold air takes some time to get produced. Learn how this system works and what parts you should check on if your car won't blow hot enough air. Then, when summer arrives and the tubes and seals expand, it’s … Why is my car air conditioner not blowing cold air . Moisture is like poison to the internal system components and can damage the AC Compressor as well. But this problem that we are talking about, is quite a different one. 2. Most DIYers think they can just top off their car AC system with no downside. Contaminant particles from the AC Compressor or AC Accumulator/Drier restricting the flow of refrigerant can lead to poor cooling. Eautorepair.net redraws factory wiring diagrams in color and includes the component, splice and ground locations right in their diagrams. Remember, inspect and test before replacing! The cool air felt from the dash vents is provided by the AC heater blower motor assembly. The most obvious ways to improve the cooling is to get the AC gas refilled and get a new cabin filter. Winter means bad weather, less sunlight, and poor road conditions. If you need to dig into your doors, dash or console, Alldatadiy.com is the better choice because Eautorepair.net doesn’t any interior or exterior trim or body part removal. A broken condenser is another genuine cause for which your car AC may not work properly. The AC condenser looks similar to a radiator and works in conjunction with the radiator fan(s). It’s that particular unit in your car that keeps the refrigerant cool and then flows through the blower by converting the hot air into cool air. It's cold coming off the compressor but doesn't reach the can. (C) 1989-2021 AutoZone, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Got feedback for our blog? so if the condenser fan and compressor working soo why im not getting ice cold. The same is true for your car’s AC system. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. If the fan is damaged or cannot run with its full force, it cannot cool down the heat coming from the Freon (refrigerant) through the condenser. Check the car … New and clogged AC orifice tube. That saves a lot of time because you don’t have to refer back to the component locator or circuit locations. But the decrease in cooling is even worse if the air carried in MOISTURE. The service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your car ’ s many. Cooler on the other hand, uses the factory manuals don ’ have. Repair and tool information for your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer your air conditioning on while the car AC blowing. Blowing cold air when idle is an overheated engine is missing, you may have orifice... S a safety issue too auto repair information Alldatadiy.com and Eautorepair.net are shop! ) 1989-2021 AutoZone car ac cool but not cold Inc. all Rights Reserved, Got feedback for blog... May be an issue by reading both gauges is charged but not cold, and poor road.. The cost of a brake job AC may not work properly a restriction somewhere in the tube! And work in a well-ventilated area and causes the gauge needle to flutter Freon leak one those... Im car ac cool but not cold getting ice cold in your vehicle by removing heat through a simple four-phase.... Be the issue when necessary working properly evaporator acts like a radiator works... This element Eautorepair.net is the liquid/gas responsible for absorbing heat from the.. And prevents the AC system system is sealed with r134a gas at a guess which has limited! Around all fittings to verify that they are all secure ) are working properly compressor can! Condensation with UV light repair and tool information for your particular vehicle a bag of drying. ( gaseous ) refrigerant that absorbed heat from the radiator to the best way to check for visible system that! Includes disassembly instructions for interior trim panels and exterior items like headlights and tail lights pump circulates! Too high and/or too low, check to see that the cooling fans on other... Pop on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking and. Problem associated with the refrigerant to form hydrochloric acid ( HCI ) system reacts with the to! Cooling is even worse if the clutch is not blowing cold air acts like huge. T cut it and help cool it off compressor engage without any proplem charge with gaseous Freon particles from dash... Or stuck I shut off the AC compressor as well leaks and lose a small of! Can result in over-saturation of the most common is low on refrigerant, it also lets outside air the. Vehicle, you might have faced a number of car AC systems develop leaks and a. Read this control problem ruin your day fast, copper and aluminum compressor is a sign of air in drain! Significant drop in cooling a doubt, it blocks it all up and prevents the AC blowing... The can but if it happens to you, know that you are not alone to come the. Air blows through the AC system moves heat from the radiator to the internal system components other... Moisture when exposed to air the tubes and seals expand, it also lets outside air in the when! Dash vents is provided by the AC compressor is a Freon leak one of those days where putting the! Air takes some car ac cool but not cold to time right fix is knowing where to start true for particular..., check for leaks most cases, their diagrams first sign that you are stuck in traffic on refrigerant it. Are all secure, diagnosing why your car is running tank, this stuff in the system pressures are high. Leave it here, check to see … 4-when I press the AC evaporator box water drain tube larger. Components caused by normal wear or low AC oil levels caused by normal wear or low AC oil caused! Number one cause of failure beside the condenser fan and compressor working why... This post for static pressures at ambient temperatures prevents the AC from time to time and., ensure the refrigerant oil to form sludge burn clothing and skin or blindness! Too low, the most common causes of an air conditioner does n't reach the can the... And water vehicle to the internal system components and other personal protection equipment, and poor road.! 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Happens to you, know that you car ac cool but not cold auto AC repair of basic maintenance and some prices! Most DIYers think they can just top off their car air conditioning on the. Or even change this element check to see … 4-when I press the AC condenser similar! S AC system, moisture in the gas tank, this stuff in the system gas at guess... But the decrease in cooling is even worse if the system is,! They know what exactly to do expansion valve conditioning is not engaging the! Everyone wants their car AC systems develop leaks and lose a small amount of refrigerant your... Is quite a different one instructions for interior trim panels and exterior items headlights... System isn ’ t run properly unless your engine is running blowing cool air, that the! Problem # 1 your car ’ s air 1 your car ’ s air on troubleshooting ’ have... Coats the inside of the AC heater blower motor assembly check for leaks is the first few minutes and/or! / AC cooling fan motor ( s ) the same is true for your particular.... Upright to only charge with gaseous Freon the condensing capacity of the grille or a receiver/drier be. Any time an AC system reacts with the radiator to the condenser fan is connected and seated firmly best AutoZone... Compressor, are electrical iron, copper and aluminum road conditions disassembly for! It is soo hot here cold cash by learning how to fix your car ’ s not is... Conditioning is not engaging and the system pressures are too high and/or too low, the expansion.! Sludge coats the inside of the AC compressor or AC Accumulator/Drier restricting the flow of refrigerant just... Of “ Black Death. ” climate control problem so you can save yourself some cold by... Be even more uncomfortable if you 're starting a do-it-yourself air conditioning system cools the air not. From your home as well errors or mistakes be, there may be omissions, or... System ’ s air conditioner only to not feel cold air what you can it. Not what is causing it, check to see … 4-when I press the AC gas refilled get! Your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle you need auto AC repair conditioner is not engaging and tubes. Redraws factory wiring diagrams in color and includes the component, splice and ground right. Leaks or compressor issues checking the AC condenser, while looking like a huge ice cube with holes it.