Being stuck in a hot car with no air conditioning feels like murder. The drive seems endless and feels sweaty, but you’re in luck. You can do several things to fix your vehicle’s AC without needing a mechanic’s help, such as checking the air filter and the coolant.
However, if you cannot get the air conditioning working on your own, the culprit is usually one or more of the following five things:
1. A Leak in the Refrigerant
The refrigerant (aka coolant) is a chemical formulation your compressor uses to cool the air that gets pushed into your vehicle’s cabin. Naturally, if it’s low or leaking, all you’ll get is hot air. If you tried to check the coolant yourself and noticed it was low, you probably added some more. If it continues to disappear, however, it’s leaking, which is a mechanic’s job.
Leaks are more likely to happen in the winter, as the air conditioning system isn’t used during those months. The seals can dry out, resulting in a leak that you may not have noticed until the weather got warmer.
2. A Malfunctioning Compressor
The compressor is essential to your car or truck’s AC because it’s responsible for pressurizing the refrigerant and extracting heat from the air, which results in cooling. It also senses temperature changes inside and outside your vehicle, effectively controlling the temperature output. If this component fails, it can either give you inadequate or no cooling.
If the air blowing into your vehicle’s cabin is warmer than it should be or if you hear any loud noises when the compressor is running, you’ll likely need it replaced. High-pitched sounds are especially indicative of a bad AC compressor, as that points to a broken component.
A bad compressor is a problem that should be addressed by a mechanic, as they can pinpoint why the compressor has failed and address both the compressor repairs and the underlying cause.
3. A Defective Cooling Fan
When your cooling fan is functioning, it runs only when the AC system needs to remove excess heat from the engine. A malfunctioning fan will blow in only hot air and might run continuously. A number of issues can cause the fan to fail, including debris, electrical problems, blown fuses, or a bad temperature switch.
A bad cooling fan can cost you energy while allowing the cabin to become unbearably hot in scorching temperatures, so getting your vehicle to a mechanic can help you a lot.
4. A Bad Radiator or Condenser
A failing condenser means that the refrigerant vapors exiting won’t be cooled, causing the airflow to become constricted. The refrigerant will also start leaking, usually due to the many seals and tubes used by the condenser.
On the other hand, a broken radiator can take out a drive belt, harm the wiring, or hurt the freon line.
The only way to fix these problems is to have them replaced.
5. You’ve Developed an Electrical Problem
Electrical issues can cause poor connections, especially in the form of blown fuses, damaged wires, or malfunctioning sensors. Ignoring electrical problems can cause other issues, such as acid build-up. This can damage and corrode components to the point that you’ll have to replace the entire air conditioning system, which is a costly repair.
How Can You Avoid Problems?
Aside from doing things like running the AC briefly in the winter, your best bet is to have the A/C inspected when you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. Your owner’s manual should recommend when you should schedule your maintenance, allowing you to avoid costly fixes down the road.