Why Is My Car’s A/C Not Blowing Cold Air?

Wow, is it hot! This summer’s heat wave started early and doesn’t look like it is going to ease up any time soon. The sizzle of skin on a hot car seat or steering wheel is uncomfortable at best and downright dangerous at the worst. I always try to start my car 10 minutes before I need to go somewhere and run the car’s A/C at max to cool down the interior before I get in it. Recently, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t seem to work as well as it used to. If you have noticed that your car’s A/C is not cold, it may be time to schedule an A/C Repair Service to check for low refrigerant levels, the compressor and condenser, and inspect the whole system for leaks.

What Causes Faulty Air Conditioning

There can be many reasons why your car’s A/C is not blowing cold air. They can range from simple and inexpensive, to very complicated and very expensive. Let’s take a look at some common causes and their solutions:

Leaking or Low Refrigerant

Low refrigerant in your car’s A/C system is one of the most common causes for it not blowing cold air. However, the air conditioning is a closed system and it should not leak. If there is a low refrigerant level, then there is a leak that needs to be found and repaired. Finding the leak can be a tricky job. It may be something simple, like a hose or clamp that needs to be replaced. Or it can be leaking within one of the other components, which is more difficult to find and can lead to more expensive repairs.

Adding refrigerant to bring the system pressure up to specifications should not be performed until all leaks are found and repaired. Running your car’s A/C with chronic low refrigerant can cause the compressor to short cycle on a continuing basis. This can accelerate the wear of the A/C components, and create a need for  premature replacements.

Clogged Condenser

The condenser works much like a radiator. Its main job is to convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid under high amounts of pressure, through thin fins or flat tubes. The exterior can get dirty and need to be cleaned to work more efficiently. If there is internal damage (clogs or corrosion) to the condenser, it usually needs to be replaced, as repairing them is often impossible.

Faulty Compressor

The compressor is responsible for maintaining the circulation of the refrigerant through the system. If the A/C system sits unused for a long time, the compressor can go bad. Having regular maintenance on your car’s A/C system can help keep the compressor in good working condition, so it works when you need it most.

Broken Cooling Fans

Broken, cracked, or missing fan blades on the cooling fans can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the A/C system. The blades can be damaged by road debris, car accidents, and even normal wear and tear. If the cooling fans are damaged, they should be replaced.

Car’s A/C Recharge Service

Typically, an A/C Recharge Service will include hooking your car up to a machine that removes all the old refrigerant from the system, while it is under vacuum for a specific amount of time. This test helps qualified technicians determine if the system has any leaks and hopefully show where they are.

Once it is found that the system holds the required pressure, new refrigerant is added to the system and the components are checked out for proper functionality. If the system does not hold the proper pressure, then a more detailed service may be required to locate the issue and repair or replace the faulty components.

Routine Maintenance

Just like all the other systems in your car, the air conditioning should have routine maintenance. Your owner’s manual will have a recommended time frame for A/C Service specific for your make and model of car. It is usually every 100,000 miles under normal use.

However, if you live in a warmer climate or use the A/C all year, you can have it serviced more often if deemed necessary. Regular inspections can help ensure the cooling efficiency and locate any possible refrigerant leaks within the system, before issues develop.

Car’s A/C Services and Repairs

If you live and drive in San Diego, you know that your car needs a good working air conditioner on hot summer days. But did you know that postponing or ignoring your car’s A/C repair may actually be causing more damage to your car?

To help prevent more expensive damages down the road, have your air conditioning serviced regularly and get repair work done at the first signs of trouble. You can count on Wentworth Automotive for an honest and reliable diagnosis plus quality repairs.

Schedule Your Car’s A/C Service

Contact Wentworth Automotive at (858) 541-1044 or online to schedule your car’s A/C Service appointment today.