Why Is My Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air?

Your AC helps control the temperature in your car’s cab and ensures that both you and your passengers are comfortable while also preventing your engine from potentially overheating. When your car’s AC stops blowing cold air, you might experience uncomfortable heat levels that negatively affect your driving experience. Having a working AC is especially important during the hot summer months, as keeping cool becomes more difficult.

Our knowledgeable team at Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville can help you figure out why your car’s AC isn’t blowing cold air anymore. Read the following guide to explore common reasons why an AC stops working and review some ideas on how to fix it.

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Reasons Why Your AC Isn’t Blowing Cold Air

Image via Flickr by Giovanni Collazo

It’s never fun when your AC suddenly stops blowing cold air. Not only is sitting in a stuffy, hot car very uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous. Depending on how hot it is outside, driving without the AC on can lead to distracted driving and even heat stroke. When your AC isn’t working properly, there’s also a greater chance that your engine might overheat and you’ll be stuck on the side of the road. Your AC may stop suddenly stop blowing cold air because of the following reasons:

Broken AC Compressor and Clutch

Your AC compressor is the core of your car’s AC system and pumps freon into your vehicle. This is the non-combustible gas many vehicles use to produce the cold air that circulates throughout your system. If your AC compressor stopped working, there’s a likelihood that you have a leak in either the compressor itself or its multiple seals. An electrical problem or engine issue may also cause your compressor to stop working.

Old or worn parts inside your compressor can be a sign that your compressor isn’t working. The rust from worn parts can lead to particle contamination, which can eventually cause the compressor to stop performing at its optimal level. The compressor may also stop working if the vehicle’s AC clutch experiences a blown fuse.

Dirty or Broken Air Condenser

The air condenser turns the freon gas back into a liquid, so if dirt or debris blocks this component, the refrigerant will either blow room-temperature air or stop blowing air entirely. A refrigerant leak or contaminant particles from either the compressor or AC accumulator can cause poor freon dispersal. A more severe leak can lead your condenser to stop working, so it’s important to check this part regularly, alongside radiator fans that cool your engine.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Many vehicular systems need a refresh now and then. If your car’s AC isn’t blowing air cold enough for your preferences or needs, it’s likely time to recharge your AC system. The longer you’ve had your car, the greater the likelihood that your AC system has lost a small amount of refrigerant with each year that’s passed. Recharging your car’s AC system by replacing the refrigerant can allow the cold air to resume blowing freely. Adding refrigerant can also tell you whether there’s a leak, as you might hear a fizzing sound or smell a charcoal-like odor.

AC Evaporator Core Leak

Your car’s AC evaporator provides cold air for your AC system by filtering out any hot air within your cabin. When your evaporator is old, the chance of it leaking increases. Damaged outer seams on the evaporator core often cause leaks, but other causes may not be as visible. A leaking core might cause immediate damage to the evaporator system, but if gone unchecked over a long period of time, it can lead to a failure in the entire system.

Solutions To Get Your AC Working Again

Here are some things you can do to get your AC system blowing cold air again:

Fix Any Leaks

Leaks are among the most common causes of a faulty AC system. You’ll want to check your system frequently for potential leaks. You can use a UV AC leak detection kit to look for leaks caused by a faulty part. Be sure to check all seals to make sure they’re properly secure. If you notice a leak, it’s important to address it as soon as possible, so it doesn’t get worse over time. Signs of a refrigeration leak include oil residue around AC hoses and pipe fittings or hissing sounds from the system even when the engine is off.

Flush Your AC System

An AC system flush is a good way to clean sludge, dirt, and grime from your system. It’s useful when you’ve already lost a large amount of fluid and would like to replace the refrigerant fluid. If your AC compressor stopped working, consider performing a flush immediately. Start by flushing the evaporator, followed by the condenser and the AC hoses. Try to be as thorough as possible so you can be sure you’ve removed any harmful substances from your AC system.

Replace Any Worn or Defective Parts

Depending on how much you drive and how long you’ve had your vehicle, you may need to replace certain parts sooner than others. It’s important to keep track of what you need to replace so you can avoid a complete system failure. Try to have your AC system inspected at least once a year and note any potential problems that come up while driving your car. While making sure the compressor is running efficiently, check out your car’s other parts. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of system failure and help uncover additional issues with your AC system.

Get Your AC Fixed At Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville

If you’re experiencing problems with your vehicle’s AC system and live around the Centerville area, head over to Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville. Schedule an appointment today, and our expert technicians can quickly diagnose the issue with your AC system and have you comfortably back on the road in no time. Thinking about fixing your AC yourself? Feel free to order parts online, and we’ll make sure you quickly get what you need to make the repair. Feel free to call us at (937) 519-3542.