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what does it mean when your car ac doesnt work

by Mr. Fabian Cartwright Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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if the power supply is not present, the problem might be:

  • defective wiring or fuse
  • bad pressure switch
  • bad control module
  • ac operation criteria has not been met: low refrigerant pressure (low refrigerant or low pressure switch) outside temperature too low (ambient temperature sensor) high refrigerant pressure (engine temperature too high/blockage ...

There are several things that can cause electrical problems for your car's air conditioning. These can include failed switches, a blown fuse, a problem with the control module or something else. Fuses can short out and make the A/C stop working or a loose connection can create an electrical short that is easily fixed.Sep 24, 2019

Full Answer

Why did my car AC suddenly stop working?

Why Did My Car AC Stop Blowing Air?

  • Damaged Relay: In order for the AC’s ventilation system to work, it needs small and large electrical current. ...
  • Defective Resistor: Our air conditioner uses blower motors to move air through the vents. ...
  • Broken Blower Motor: Since the blower motor pushes air through the vents, it is an important component to the air conditioner. ...

More items...

Why would a car air conditioner stop working?

When your car AC suddenly stops working, it’s usually because of one of the following reasons:

  • Leaking Refrigerant
  • A Blocked or Clogged Condenser
  • Broken Condenser
  • Electrical Wiring Issues
  • Malfunctioning Fan
  • Malfunctioning Compressor

Why is my car not working?

Why Is the Car Audio Display Not Working?

  • Connector problem. Different car manufacturers follow different techniques in connecting the car radio display to the main radio unit when it comes to car radios.
  • Faulty LCD or backlight. The backlight or LD is responsible for the visibility of your car radio display. ...
  • Defective main head unit. ...
  • Defective fuse. ...
  • Dimmer adjustment. ...

Why is my blower not working in my car?

Actions so far:

  • Checked the blower with direct power and it works.
  • Checked for incoming resistance ground to the blower, from the dash control switch and it works.
  • Checked for battery at the blower, when the car is running. ...
  • Rotated all the PDC relays around, they have the same ID, other than ABS pump. ...
  • Rotated all the unmarked relays around in the junction box. ...

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Why is my car's condenser broken?

A broken condenser can be caused by a puncture from road debris going through the grill of your car and damaging the part, or equipment failure. If you notice any noticeable punctures in the condenser upon a visual inspection, typically the only way to fix the issue is through replacement.

Why is my car leaking refrigerant?

Reason #1: Your Car is Leaking Refrigerant. A refrigerant leak can occur at any point in the air conditioning process and so it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. The most common places where leaks are found are at A/C unit hose connections. It’s sometimes possible to see an oily substance accumulating ...

How does a condenser work?

The condenser of your vehicle’s air conditioning unit is supposed to re-cool hot refrigerant once it has been compressed. This is done using the airflow that comes through the front of your car as you drive. If the condenser is blocked by some type of debris from the road, then it will be unable to properly cool the refrigerant ...

How to tell if a cooling fan is broken?

The best way to check if the cooling fan is broken is through a visual inspection. Cracks in the fan can be caused by debris on the road and replacement is the only true way to address this issue. Other common issues with cooling fans include blown fuses and other electrical issues.

What to do if you can't see electrical wires?

If any damaged wires are found, they should be mended with electrical tape or replaced altogether. If you’re unable to visually locate any electrical issues, it may be time to take your vehicle to an experienced dealer for further diagnosis.

Where is the condenser located on a car?

In most vehicles, the condenser is found at the front of the car , so it should be easy to visually see if anything is blocking it. This can easily be removed from the grill of your car and the issue should be resolved.

Can you be in a car during a heat wave?

So if your vehicle’s A/C is only kicking out hot air, you should take steps immediately to get the problem fixed.

What should i do if my car AC works intermittently?

The first thing you’ll want to do is note down the related events when the problem occurs. This way, you’ll be able to explain to a mechanic the circumstances of the issue so that they can narrow it down to the cause of the problem first.

Can i fix this problem myself?

A few issues that cause an AC to work intermittently can be fixed by yourself.

How much does it cost to repair this problem?

The cost to repair an intermittent AC depends on the cause of the problem. It’s wise to find out the situation before taking the car to a mechanic. Hence, you can tell the mechanic what you want to be done to your vehicle.

Conclusion

The car AC sometimes works sometimes it doesn’t; however, it should be a thing of the past after knowing what causes this problem and how to fix it. Some of these culprits are straightforward to repair, while others require taking the car to an auto mechanic or an auto repair service such as the Lexus dealer service department.

Initial inspection

If you are wondering why your car AC is not blowing cold air and you want to get to the bottom of the issue, you will need to think like a technician. The first step in solving your problem is to “verify the complaint”. Well, so far all you know is that the air coming from the vents in your car does not feel cold. That is a good first step.

How your AC works

To go any further with your investigation, it helps to understand the basics of auto AC.

Clean debris from the condenser

Other than those operations, you should leave the rest to a trained technician at a trusted repair shop. If you are able to correct a simple issue on your own but you notice that your AC system puts on a repeat performance, schedule an appointment to have the system inspected.

How to tell if AC system is leaking?

The AC system is closed, so refrigerant should not be lost unless there is a leak. Look for oily residue on or around hoses that attach AC components together. Oily spots may indicate a refrigerant leak. You may consider using an electronic leak detector, which can detect much smaller quantities of refrigerant.

Why does my blower motor go out?

The easiest way to do this is to try turning on your heat. If you have weak air flow when the heat is on as well, your blower motor may have gone out. A blower motor may have a resistor problem if your air only blows on the high setting but will not blow on a lower setting.

What happens if you change the vent selector?

If changing the selected vent does not alter the flow of air, you likely have a blend door problem, which will require replacing the doors inside the dash that determine the direction of the air flow.

Where is the compressor located on a car?

The compressor is usually located towards the front of your engine, just inside the grill of your car. Your car should be running with the AC on to check the compressor clutch. The compressor looks like a small motor with a large wheel on the end. The wheel (which is the compressor clutch) should be spinning.

Where is the AC condenser located?

Find the front of your AC condenser. It is normally located in front of your radiator. If there are leaves or other dirt or buildup blocking it, remove them and clean the area.

Can a cabin air filter be blocked?

You will be able to see if it has a buildup of dirt or debris on it. It is possible that your cabin air filter is so blocked that it is interfering with your air pressure, and replacing it will be a relatively easy an inexpensive fix to your problem . Your car manual may have instructions on replacing the cabin filter.

Can you turn on the AC while the car is running?

Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. The air conditioner won’t run properly unless your engine is running. 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 on.

Why is my car's AC not blowing cold air?

The main issues that occur with the car’s air conditioning system are due to poor maintenance. Here is a more detailed list of the most common causes of a car AC not blowing cold air.

Why does my car compressor not start?

This makes the AC compressor to spin and power the AC system. If this clutch is too worn , it may cause the AC compressor not to start at all.

Why does my AC compressor blow hot air?

There could not only be damages to the AC compressor clutch; the compressor itself can also fail if you are unlucky. The AC compressor pumps refrigerant around in the AC system for it to cool properly. It happens that the pump fails and stops pumping at all, and this will cause your AC system to blow hot air.

Why does my car have a pressure switch?

There are two AC pressure switches in your car that monitor the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side of the air condition system for safety reasons. If the pressure gets too high – it will stop the AC compressor from cooling the system anymore because of safety reasons. If the pressure gets too low, it will also shut off the function ...

What happens if the pressure is too low?

If the pressure gets too low, it will also shut off the function of the AC compressor. If this AC pressure is faulty, it can give the AC compressor faulty signals to stop – even if it shouldn’t, and this will cause your AC system not to function at all.

What is the part of the car that controls the heat?

When you turn the heat controller on the AC control unit, there needs to be something that controls the heat inside the car. This part is called the blend door actuator inside your car, and it is controlling a flap that is redirecting hot or cold air inside of your car.

What happens if you leak an AC?

If you leak in the AC system, the pressure will get lower and lower and finally stops working at all. The AC system is also leaking very slowly through hoses and other places.

How does AC work?

AC systems work – not by cooling something directly – but by transferring heat from one place to another. In the case of a car, the heat is transferred from a heat exchanger in the passenger compartment to a heat exchanger in the engine compartment.

Why does heat flow faster in engine compartments?

Since heat flows faster if the temperature differences are greater, as the ambient temperature increases, it become s harder and harder to transfer that heat in the engine compartment heat exchanger fast enough to the outside air.

Does A/C work when it's hot outside?

A/C doesnot work when its hot outside. When the A/C does work it cools well. When I take the car out of garage the A/C cools well but as I start driving and if the weather outside is hot, the A/C stops cooling after some time. And it will then not cool again till I park the car in a garage and the engine has cooled down.

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1.7 Reasons Why Your Car AC Is Not Working And How To …

Url:https://www.carcarehacks.com/reasons-ac-not-working/

25 hours ago What does it mean when your car AC doesn't work? 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.

2.6 common Reasons Why Your Car’s A/C Might Not Be …

Url:https://www.bryantmotors.com/car-buying-guide/reasons-car-ac-not-working.html

12 hours ago Clogged or dirty cabin air filters and fan housing will cause the AC to work harder, making it sometimes work while other times it won’t. Fortunately, replacing a cabin air filter can be done quickly with only a screwdriver. The cabin air filter is located behind the …

3.My Car AC Sometimes Works Sometimes It Doesn’t: Why …

Url:https://gmundcars.com/car-ac-sometimes-works-sometimes-it-doesnt/

14 hours ago While it is obvious that this description is an oversimplification of the process, you can see that there are a lot of variables at play in your car’s AC system. The main reasons that your air conditioner does not blow cold air revolve around a low refrigerant level (usually because of a leak ), failing compressor, or faulty wiring, each of which require the help of a professional.

4.Videos of What Does It Mean When Your Car AC Doesnt Work

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29 hours ago  · Step 1, Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. The air conditioner won’t run properly unless your engine is running. 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 on. Start with the fan speed turned to its highest setting. If your car has a "Max AC" setting, select that …

5.What to Do When Your Car Air Conditioning Doesn’t Work

Url:https://hoganandsonsinc.com/what-to-do-when-your-car-air-conditioning-doesnt-work/

2 hours ago  · A condenser can get clogged with debris. You can check this and clean out the debris to see if the problem improves. If the condenser is damaged, that could be the AC culprit. Cabin air filters are also an important component of your AC system. If the filter is blocked or damaged, it could cause problems with your cool air.

6.3 Ways to Diagnose a Non Working Air Conditioning in a Car

Url:https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-a-Non-Working-Air-Conditioning-in-a-Car

28 hours ago  · The engine compartment fans are there to facilitate this heat transfer, so part of this diagnosis is for your AC shop to check that those engine compartment fans are working like they should. Sometimes they’ll just stop rotating b/c they are broke, but they can appear to be working but not rotating as fast as they should too.

7.Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Common Causes (& How to …

Url:https://mechanicbase.com/ac/reasons-why-your-cars-ac-is-not-blowing-cold-air/

10 hours ago

8.A/C doesnot work when its hot outside - Car Talk …

Url:https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-doesnot-work-when-its-hot-outside/91326

30 hours ago

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