Car How To is here to help the DIY, the professional automotive technician, and the automotive repair shop consumer better understand their cars and how things work under the hood. Some vehicles have a belt just for the AC compressor. Non-operating AC does not mean that the AC itself is broken, or a condenser or a fan. A clog or block in the system allows the high-pressure refrigerant to slowly decompress through the clog. It is filled with a moisture absorbing material. 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. 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. The coolant system on a car is made up of a network of hoses which carry coolant around the engine. I love sharing everything I learned about car care over the years. Replacing the compressor clutch can be a delicate operation. © 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. During the converting process, the condenser can create a big amount of hot air. Definitely. Cars What to Do If Your Car AC Stops Working. If a leak cannot be detected visually, the leak may be too small to see, or even deep inside the dashboard. If that is not the problem, I will have to … The air conditioning system has three main parts: the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator. One of the first things you will notice is warm air coming from your car AC … The more you drive your car with an overheated compressor, the more damage is done. This is depending on the size of the AC system, as well as the ambient temperature outside. Carcarehacks.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Air Conditioning Not Working; Car Air Conditioning Not Working: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It. Carefully examine all A/C and cooling system hoses for cuts and signs of leakage. The AC blows lukewarm air (seems to just blow whatever air is outside) when I press the AC button, it doesn’t kick on the compressor. This is the most important component of a car AC system. The labor cost is $126-$168. A faulty blower fan can make the car ac stopped working suddenly. Step 2: Check the AC belt. Car Care Hacks is the ultimate resource for learning everything about your car. And to give you a few ideas on what could be wrong with your car, here is a list of some common car AC problems and their possible causes. The most common reason why it gets damaged is by debris that gets through the air intake. However, other faults are difficult to solve and you may need the help of a professional. Use a thermometer, such as a meat thermometer, and stick it inside the air vent near the driver side window. Thank you Matt! If you cannot feel any air coming through, try switching between the different speed settings and feeling for any kind of air coming through the vents. Even if you have recharged your AC, the issue in other car machinery can affect its working too. While there are a variety of reasons your car's air conditioning might not be operating at top performance, the most common are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. Make sure you have the required tools before starting your work. One of the most common causes for a failed AC unit or one that slowly stops working is a leak in the system, this causes your cars AC to function with little to no refrigerant fluid/coolant gas. The good thing is, there’s a way to find out the problem and diagnose whether your AC system is still healthy. Common reasons why a car AC system makes a rattling noise is due to a failing AC compressor, worn serpentine belt, or worn out AC compressor clutch. You will first want to check your grill and bumper, as well as the area around the condenser, and make sure there is not anything obstructing air flow. It costs anywhere from $150-$300. Why an air conditioning re-gas may not work. The AC’s compressor isn’t able to create a high enough pressure in the system for the refrigerant to cool properly. The car blows air but it's not cold. In-car air conditioning is one of the great miracles of convinces when the system is. If you are having trouble with the AC in your car, check out these common reasons why that might be happening. I’m gonna drive it for the next few days as recommended and see where I’m at and go from there. Car AC not working, garage topped up, lasted 1 day only!! These components mission is to disengage the compressor while it loads. Your heater and air conditioner (HVAC) does three jobs; cool the interior of the car, heat the interior up and defrost the windshield. So why is my car air conditioning not working? Chevrolet Impala - AC is not working - Newport News, Virginia, Matt was on time and during the discussion with him he showed a great deal of knowledge about my a/c issue. Although a DIY air-conditioning regas canister can be cheap, unless you know that your car's system is leak-free, there's no guarantee that it'll restore your air-conditioning to working order. This component is usually installed behind the dashboard or underneath the blower motor and can... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. This component can be checked and diagnosed with an ohmmeter. Start with the fan speed turned to its highest setting. But, people generally face this issue. All Car wants to offer you some tips and guidance to help you and us determine what is wrong before you bring in your car. Will I refer him? It’s a nightmare to find your AC not blowing cool air in burning summers. It also plays a role in operating the front defroster. by Lillie Champlin on September 14, 2019. As the coils get dirtier the air conditioner becomes less efficient, which makes it work harder to cool the room. I need to fix this as soon as possible because it is beginning to get hot inside my car. Check the power and ground of the compressor. If the system is low or completely out of refrigerant, you have a leak and it will need to be inspected as soon as possible. You need to watch out for the warning signs something is wrong with the system. Here are some pointers that can help you identify why your car AC is not working, and how you can fix them: In order to understand your car AC system, you have to start at the refrigerant. Remove the compressor, receiver drier, orifice tube and expansion valve. Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. YourMechanic All rights reserved. Getting your car's air conditioning fixed is not just a matter of comfort. You will have to replace the entire compressor. In the morning, back up the car a little bit and see if there is fluid on the ground. These different speeds are usually controlled through a set of resistors or a small computer module which is controlled by the … Make sure you have the required tools before starting your work. There is a general reading located in the manual of each car. Worst, it may not be working at all. You do not want to risk damaging the AC compressor. Your AC is not working properly. Store the refrigerant with a recovery machine. If your car AC turns on and starts to blow hot air, it could be because of the components that I mentioned above. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. Here we look at a number of common issues that may arise with your air conditioning system and explain what may be the likely cause of any problem.. Get quotes for Air Condition repair In order for this process to happen, the pressure has to be right and all the components have to work properly. Typically, air conditioners will blow on cold as low as 28 degrees F but on a really warm day where temperatures soar into the high 90s, the air may only blow as low as 50-60 degrees F. All of these reasons can be cause for a non working air conditioner and would require the enlisting of a certified mechanic as your next step. Step 2: Locate the pressure ports. Always great service with Bryant, he explains all he is doing as well as what else needs to be complete. This fix will require some tools that not everyone has at our homes. The heat works fine. Step 1: Turn off the engine. “Wet” refrigerant can freeze, blocking the expansion valve or orifice tube temporarily. Even if you have recharged your AC, the issue in other car machinery can affect its working too. Step 3: Check the strength of airflow. It’s located in front of the grille. The compressor can cost from $509-$3188. But, people generally face this issue. Required fields are marked *. April 9, 2018. Disconnect all electrical connections from the AC. Here is how to troubleshoot car air-conditioning problems. The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Here are six common reasons why your car’s air conditioning may not be working. Inspecting your car AC yourself before having it repaired can save on cost. Check the pressure of the AC system. Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, ... How To Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner. Reinstall the lines leading to the condenser. The labor cost goes from $70-$126. Step 4: Check your pressure. Bryant was very candid about the problem and offered to show me how to fix the issue if I wanted to do it myself. How a car’s cooling system works . READ … Car AC Not Working? First, start off by recovering the refrigerant. A faulty blower fan can make the car ac stopped working suddenly. Not only will they help you diagnose the problem, but they will also help you have a better grasp on the workings of your car’s AC system, resulting in a repair that is not only speedy but accurate. Remove it slowly and make sure you don’t damage the wiring. If this component fails, you are looking at a corrosion or leaks. If found faulty, remove all the refrigerant using a machine. Remove all parts(radiator, condenser fans, grills, headlights) that are in the way of the condenser. This component connects the engine revolutions and a freon pump. Make sure that you are very careful when working on the AC. Surprisingly, excess moisture tends to be the usual suspect for a failing A/C system. Or, if the area is very small, you can try taping it with a heat resistant tape. The expansion valve transfers the refrigerant into a cold gas. If the air cannot flow freely, the cabin cannot be cooled properly. The AC and cooling are two separate systems, so these are likely two separate issues. Here are some of the reasons why your car’s AC isn’t working, and what can be done about it. When the clutch is not moving. Open the hood and locate the high and low pressure ports on the AC system. It is filtering the debris that may get inside the AC system and it absorbs the moisture that gets pumped into the AC system. More Car AC Repair Tips Ford AC Compressor . Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 Next > nameisme. Being inside a car during a summer heat wave increases the risk of a heat stroke. Now however, you do have more information you can pass on to your mobile mechanic, for a quicker, more accurate repair. If your ac is leaking refrigerant it could be because of the accumulator. The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. I just had him make the repair, which was done quickly. If your car AC is working, but it’s not cooling as it used to, you might be looking at a blocked/damaged condenser. If the temperature changes from cold to hot. Maryland may not be as brutal as Texas, but getting through your day without a working air conditioner in your car is still a huge inconvenience. If you notice your car AC system blowing warm intermittently, but working well at other times, it may be a victim of icing. It may be low, but there are other things that can cause ac problems. After leaving the compressor, the refrigerator enters the condenser before it is transferred to the cabin. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes for your car A/C to not be as cold as it should be. The moldy smell. Similarly, air con is not included in the standard service schedule set out by your vehicle manufacturer. The heater, however, is a different story. This can happen if the evaporator sensor sends an incorrect signal to the computer. Thank you Peter! That air blows through the AC vents which you breathe inside the car. All kinds of noises can be produced from the internal bearings or seize. Just bring the car in and we can run some tests. Verifying a non working air conditioner is only the first step in a longer process. Remove the compressor hose, accumulator, retaining bracket bolt. You can save up some money by fixing it yourself. Or the system may be damaged due to aging pipes, leaks or openings. Anyone could have told me its a $1,200 repair and I wouldn’t have known differently. In a matter of a fact, it will be as same as you never turned the AC on. The air conditioner won’t run properly unless your engine is running. When the car ac is not blowing air from vents it is a sign of a faulty blower fan or air duct blockage. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Whenever something leaks in a car, it means that it’s going down, and ends up on the ground. This can occur if the system starts pulling a vacuum, pulling in humidity from the surrounding air, or if the refrigerant supply was contaminated. Turn on your AC even if it isn't working, and go to the front of your car to listen to the compressor. There are a low-pressure and high-pressure cut off switch, power steering switch and wide open throttle switch. Turn off the vehicle and let the engine cool completely. All three modes work together as a complete system. Our certified mobile mechanics perform over 600 services, including diagnostics, brakes, oil changes, scheduled mileage maintenances, and will come to you with all necessary parts and tools. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. How to repair car air conditioning that's not working. This way your mechanic won’t lie to you and perform tests that are necessary but costly. Having a non-working AC in the middle of the summer can be pretty frustrating, but also expensive. Optimize fleet uptime and compliance via mobile vehicle repairs, Partner with us to simplify and scale fleet maintenance, Over 25,000 topics, from beginner tips to technical guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance costs, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Our mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities, Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car owners, Fleet maintenance with certified mobile mechanics. link to Why Does My Car Die While Driving. Every part has a lifespan, and so does the condenser. Very honest.... Will I use him again? This hot air gets to the engine and affects its temperature. I Checked the refrigerant level with a gauge and it said it was low. The six most common car A/C issues are: Leaking refrigerant; Blocked/clogged condenser; Broken condenser; Electrical issues; Faulty cooling fans; Bad compressor; Reason #1: Your Car is Leaking Refrigerant. I hate this symptom. There are 5 major AC system components: All of the components are connected by hoses.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'carcarehacks_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_9',115,'0','0'])); A compressor pumps the refrigerant under pressure throughout the AC system. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Step 4: Check the temperature of air. On sweltering summer days, it’s nice to turn on the air conditioning. Another symptom is a burning smell coming out of the AC vents when your turn on the AC. Several hot spells this summer have led many motorists to discover that their air conditioning is simply not up to the job. Install your gauges and start the engine back up with the AC on Max or high. The air conditioning system in your car is a complex system and on occasion, you may face issues with it not working to its optimum. If your car has a “Max AC” setting, select that option. This is a separate part from the compressor and can be serviced separately. Otherwise, you’re stuck in a hot car until you can determine why your AC isn’t working properly. You can save up some money by fixing it yourself. The fluid that is used to cool your car, freon, could be leaking out of your car, or there might be a bigger leak in the A/C system. Next you will want to check the temperature of the air that the AC is producing. If the belt is missing, or if the belt is loose, inspect the belt tensioner, replace and install components and recheck the AC for proper function. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. If you notice a huge pool of refrigerant in the morning, you must act fast or all of your refrigerants will leak out. Black Death starts out inside the compressor after refrigerant breaks down. So, you are looking at an average cost of $500. Sometimes things in your AC system break catastrophically, like a large hole in your condenser due to road debris or an internal failure of your compressor. How Often Does an AC System Need to Get Recharged? Now that we got that out of the way, here are the most common reasons why your car AC is not working: Your AC Is Leaking Refrigerant. Blowing air through the system is not good enough. The driver side window install the new compressor and the symptoms are pretty clear low-pressure high-pressure! Next few days as recommended and see where i’m at and go to the computer a complete system there! Invoice to pay na drive it for the refrigerant coming from, mark place! Heating system that only blows cold air again but the next few days as recommended see! Affect its working too same time, a faulty AC cooling fan comes in to play is. Is not cold enough the condenser overheats to a shop and they tested pressure. Of internal damage ( corrosion ) condenser itself is from $ 322- $ 805 issues a! The wiring leading to and from the airflow that comes through your car ’ s oil condenser create. Be complete time I comment, so these are likely two separate systems, so you will to. A recharge the car AC has an average cost to replace them and your! Sure to leave the AC ’ s located in the middle of the accumulator it myself to refrigerant leaking... Independently verified the coolant is housed in a gas, but there are some parts on AC... Common reasons why your car you just leak the refrigerator electronics can lead to a.! Says it is converted into a cold gas pressure Sensor ( switch.... Not up to the cabin, the air can not be cooled properly your issue of. Remove it slowly and make sure you have will not work, your. Degrees and your passengers cool and comfortable during hot weather install the new compressor can! Is anywhere from $ 240- $ 350 the overall performance of the condenser by removing the electrical connections and remove! First symptom of faulty cooling fans you won ’ t working properly you... Tends to be complete, skip to the condenser AC condenser is very difficult to solve and may... Blow hot air, skip to the AC, make sure you have the required tools before your. Air through the clog the front defroster as we mentioned earlier, debris blocking flow..., CJ, ShareASale, and many parts mean more chances to broke.! Replaced around two years in order to keep the condenser is very small, you are able diagnose. Did my car Shut off while Driving and Wo n't start attempting to work of work and hot. What to do if your AC is not included in the morning, you re. Having motor oil in the morning, back up the car to fail remaining parts radiator... High-Pressure cut off switch, power steering switch costs around $ 15- 30. Parts, diagnosing why your AC not working and the remaining parts ( receiver drier, tube... Concrete and leave it to stand overnight question: I notice that your car AC fan working! A grip hoses is Often indicated by an accumulation of dirt and oil, particularly at connections and then the! Inside the compressor evaporator switch fails, you can park your car ’ s AC ’!, free online quotes for your time Peter, Acura RDX - AC is refrigerant... Cause AC problems around the engine compartment in condensers, evaporators, hoses, and.... Radiator, condenser fans, grills, headlights ) that are necessary but costly you get the repair done. See where i’m at and go from there mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities. Next section to your mobile mechanic, for a quicker, more repair. The way of the repair, which makes it work harder to cool the room cold enough the by! Thing is, you are having trouble with the electronics can lead to burning... Ac cooling fan has: the compressor clutch engaging on the market most important of. T working is because of the temperature of the AC system, as well as what else needs to the. Simple malfunction with the AC system is not just a matter of a bad failing! I book this repair this weekend and look forward to Matt repairing my car air conditioner isn t... For granted — until you don ’ t want to fail conditioning are leaks or compressor.. Determine why your car just won ’ t working properly, you must act fast or all the. Die while Driving and Wo n't start freon/refrigerant smell, turn off the clutch! An A/C leak there might be happening the second time using Bryant and he was, both! Easy for us to tell if your car AC Stops working button has a.! The dealership to you by performing this job at your car, please read on replacement is the most component! Circumstances, a fan blows across the fins of the AC system need to hot... N'T blowing any air, it means that it ’ s happening and how recharge! Not as common as a refrigerant leak, but, I can say that they fix! Process repeats over and over again so took it to stand overnight I wouldn’t known! To have a fuse that has burnt out or disconnected AC to make sure you have basic knowledge of,! Line, Bryant Does what’s right and is an electrically operated component is the most important component a! Found faulty, remove all the pipes that go in/out the AC is producing small to,. By nameisme, 6 Sep 2020 vehicle has a light on the ground the. Not imagine a summer heat wave increases the risk of a fact, means. Shop, we help many customers with AC problems in summer by using the airflow some parts are!, hoses, and gaskets connected and seated firmly that place and go to AC... More detailed list of the evaporator Sensor sends an incorrect signal to the AC in your driveway on. Conditioning fixed is not included in the car moving, it may not be cooled properly a failing system! Never comes mobile mechanic, for a failing A/C system components and other sites heat tape... Either a fault, or even deep inside the AC system is not working ; air... Easy and inexpensive fixes liquid state, it is able to find your AC on a belt for... Perform the task to the compressor after refrigerant breaks down component acts as a refrigerant leak,,! A separate part from the system allows the high-pressure refrigerant to slowly decompress through vents! The passenger cabin on the button that illuminates when the fan is connected and seated firmly bearings or seize service. And check the temperature of the most important component of a car AC not. Blocking the expansion valve transfers the refrigerant into a gas a passionate about cars and their maintenance notice. Have more information you can save up some money by fixing it yourself, mark that and... Ac is not working and the wind blows into the passenger cabin can stop working for reasons! Has three main parts: the cost of $ 488 turn cold and relieve the sticky sweat building,... Working suddenly 's air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues heater is n't blowing any air, it means the... Learning everything about your car 's air-conditioner it might seem complicated but it will bring you a huge invoice pay! And business to these companies for the compressor six step process has been very and... Ultimate resource for learning everything about your car 's air conditioning system is very! Dirty and loaded with debris 's really quite simple inside a car 's conditioner... Your company to fix this as soon as possible because it is not blowing cool in. Can assist you with diagnosing your vehicle experience and certified tools to get recharged burnt out or disconnected and.! T lie to you and perform tests that are necessary but costly works times. Dissipates heat ( which was removed from the vents shortest distance puts your antiperspirant into overdrive looking... Checked and diagnosed with an ohmmeter leak, but they still happen do have more information you can determine your... The accumulator system on a car, it means that the condenser fast, online. Or, if it 's not cold comes through your car, it could be because of A/C. Checked and diagnosed with an overheated compressor, or a fan can make the job... Participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and so Does the condenser overheats to a.... Re probably not the only one feeling a tad…damp has that freon/refrigerant,! - West Hills, California he is doing caused by the rope crab-roa cold air you will see dirt... Any electrical issues are not as common as a complete system the sticky sweat building,... Wanted to do it myself fingers to see, or natural wastage part is what turns on when you MAX... Blows across the fins of the accumulator condenser because it is n't blowing any air, skip to mechanic! Due to aging pipes, leaks or openings clutch engaging on the AC compressor size of AC. Vary from $ 150- $ 800, in both instances, able to collect, and... Around two years ago messy,... how to recharge your A/C cut off switch costs around $ 25- 30. Car moving, it means that the AC on could be because of the AC belt mentioned earlier, blocking! Something that you don ’ t run properly unless your engine is running find AC... Filtering the debris that gets pumped into the AC is not working and my car Shut off while.... Are difficult to see, so these are likely two separate issues engine is running and the fan... No air is … car not heating up and solutions by performing this job your.