What Makes Car Ac Cold

Faulty Ac 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 of the AC compressor.

If this AC pressure is faulty, it can give the AC compressor faulty signals to stop even if it shouldnt, and this will cause your AC system not to function at all.

Ac Orifice Tube / Expansion Valve

The AC orifice tube / expansion device filters and regulates the flow of refrigerant through your air conditioning system. Depending on your vehicle, you may have an orifice tube or an expansion valve.

Common Problems: Contamination is the main cause of failure. If the system pressures are too high and/or too low, the expansion device could possibly be the issue. But first, ensure the refrigerant levels are correct and the radiator/A/C Condenser fan are working properly. Remember, inspect and test before replacing!

Car Ac Not Cooling: The Most Common Causes

Air conditioning is especially important on hot summer days, but sometimes it doesnt cool properly. You can find out why that can be and what you can do yourself in our home about it.

The air conditioning system is used when the open windows in the car are no longer cooling. However, if you find that the cooling effect is missing, you should go on troubleshooting. This article lists the most common causes.

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Understanding Your Vehicle’s Ac System

The air conditioning system in your vehicle can be complex due to the location of the hoses and lines. Essentially, your vehicle’s AC system compresses and heats the refrigerant, then allowing it to decompress and condense into a liquid that causes it to rapidly lose heat. This process absorbs heat from the car’s cabin and is continuously repeated to achieve your desired temperature.

The basic concept is much easier to understand when the components are broken down, as follows:

• The compressor runs off an engine belt that squeezes or compresses the gaseous refrigerant.
• Once it has been pressurized, the condenser cools it down through a series of finned tubes where it returns to a liquid state. This liquid will then pass through a dryer or receiver that removes excess water to eliminate the risk of ice crystal formations inside the AC system.
• Next the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator via a thermal expansion valve where it is then exposed to heat from the vehicle’s cabin. At this point the fluid boils, reducing it to a gas form once again. During this process the heat from the surrounding air is absorbed causing the evaporator coil to chill. Finally, it is redistributed throughout the cabin by the blowing fan through the vents as cool, crisp air-conditioned air.

Here are the top 3 reasons why your car AC may not be blowing cold air:

Ac Hissing When The Car Shuts Off

A hissing noise is another common sound drivers hear from their cars air conditioner. The good news is this doesnt always spell trouble.If you hear the AC hissing after you turn your car off, thats actually just your cars way of equalizing pressure.

See, theres both a high pressure side and a low pressure side in your system when the AC is running. A refrigerant like Freon moves between these two separate sides which are divided by either an expansion valve or an orifice tube.Turning off your car will cause the Freon to move from the high-pressure part of your AC compressor down to the side with lower pressure to equalize out.While AC pump noise is totally normal for your cars air conditioner, hissing at any other point may give you reason to visit your mechanic, just like a buzzing noise.

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The Ac System Needs Recharging There Is A Freon Leak

The most common cause of an air conditioner not getting cold enough is that it is low on Freon and needs to be recharged. There could be only one reason why the system need recharging, there is a Freon leak in the AC System. Automotive AC systems are under pressure and sealed. They are filled with a product called Freon and each vehicle model has a specification of how much Freon is contained within it. Generally, Freon is measured in ounces or grams and the only way to know how much freon is currently in the system is to remove it with a specialty machine and refill the system to the proper amount. A system leak may not be a cause for concern because older systems generally leak freon out over time. Some leakage over a period of years is acceptable but not over a period of months or days. If your system is leaking out over months or days there is a more serious problem that needs to be corrected. Components in the AC system are made of Rubber and gaskets that fail over time and it is common to replace these worn parts to get your system operating properly again.

Freon is the chemical that cools the air and there are several types. The automotive industry has moved from R12 to R134 to now to R1234yf. These changes have been brought about by environmental concerns over the previous generation products. Todays Freons are better for the environment.

Replace The Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter prevents dust, pollen, dirt and other pollutants from entering your car through the A/C and heat vents. If the filter is clogged or dirty, it can also inhibit or even block A/C airflow, meaning the cold air you’re craving will struggle to reach the cabin.

Depending on your vehicle, you may be able to check and replace the filter yourself. Consult your owner’s manual for more information. If you’re not comfortable replacing the filter on your own, don’t sweat it! Head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a quick filter replacement.

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Top Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my car AC blowing cool air but not cold?

If your car ac not blowing cold air, then it means the system is broken. One of the most prominent causes of broken air conditioning is fluid leaks or blocked/broken compressors.

However, if the system is blowing cool air but not cold, then there is a possibility for a clogged filter, radiator issue, cooling fan problem, or your ac needs a recharge.

How much does it cost to repair a car air conditioner?

The average cost in the United States to repair a cars air conditioning is $1,829. However, the value can differ based on the location, make, and model of your vehicle.

Can a broken fuse cause AC not to work?

YES. Electrical issues are seen as one of the major reasons for a car ac not blowing cold air.

Is it worth fixing AC in the car?

Well, that depends on the owner. If you live in a cold place that has cold weather almost throughout the year, having an ac that does not blow cool air is not a big deal.

However, if you live in warm places where the sun is at its peak temperature, having the ac of your car fixed is worth it.

Can you fix the AC in a car?

If your car is facing loose wires, then you sure can fix the issue all by yourself. But if there is a leak or the compressor fails to work, you need professional help to do the repairs.

How to recharge car ac?

Easy steps to recharge the ac of your car:

Cold Air Blows Intermittently

So you went for a road trip or a long drive, and after 30 minutes of driving realized that your AC suddenly stopped working or switched to blowing warm air. The cold air returns shortly, and the cycle repeats itself for as long as you are driving. Whats wrong with your car?

Intermittent cooling is often caused by the components of your vehicles AC system freezing up. Typically an iced over evaporator is the culprit. An evaporator covered in ice cant cool the air, so you would have to wait until the ice melts, which is why the cold air eventually returns. There may be numerous issues causing the icingfrom a dirty cabin air filter to a blocked evaporator drain or an overcharged system. Look for puddles of water under your carthis could be a sign of a freezing problem.

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Car Ac Stopped Working Suddenly

When your car air-conditioning suddenly stops working, its usually due to a leak or issues with the compressor. Your AC may be blowing air, but its not cold.

The common problems are the following:

Heres a more detailed explanation for the possible reasons why your car AC stopped blowing cold air all of a sudden:

Why Ac Compressor Clutch Fails

If your AC compressor clutch is faulty, you will hear a squealing noise and you wont get cold air. Here are a couple of reasons why the AC compressor clutch fails:

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Recharge Your Ac Regularly

The very important stuff that most people forget is the recharging of refrigerants. Though your refrigerant can perform well for long years, it is suggested that you recharge it once every two years. This can keep your AC running fresh and avoid situations in which your car AC is not blowing cold air.

The A/c Compressor May Not Engage

This problem can occur due to a variety of conditions. Failure can occur when theres an electrical fault in your compressors circuit or clutch, Freon can be low or the vehicle can be overheating. Todays cars are computer controlled and one of the first systems that is turned off when the computer senses an engine problem is the A/C system. Usually, the malfunctioning part has to be replaced by a qualified mechanic.

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How To Make Your Car A/c Colder In Summer

July 15th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

Hot air blasts in your face, in the heat of summer?

Not cool.

A/C, listen up. Youre trying but youre not helping!

Is your car A/C not cold? If its not giving you much relief this summer, dont sweat it help is on the way. Here, we are going to show you how to get the maximum coldness out of your A/C.

Easy Ways To Make Your Car Ac Colder:

1 Yes there are things you can do to make your car ac colder and blow out faster. One super simple tip is to turn the ac vents going to the passenger side off. Usually there is a control wheel on each air vent that allows you to position and point the air flow. This control wheel or slider will also allow you to shut the vent. If you shut the AC vents that go to the passenger side, you will get MORE AIRFLOW to the ac vents that are on the drivers side. This will increase and double the airflow to the drivers side.

Adjust car ac vent to blow air on you

2 Park your car under some shade or use a window sun blocker. On a hot and sunny day the temperature inside a parked car can get to 145ºF. This is even if the outside temperature is only 90º to 100ºF. By blocking the sun entering the windows of your car, you will keep it cooler therefore making the ac not have to work as hard once you get in and begin your drive.

Use a car sun shade in your car to keep it cool

3 Never put the pedal to the metal. When you stomp on the accelerator, you are taking away the power needed for the ac to run efficiently. Some cars use the extra acceleration you are demanding by using all power necessary therefore your ac will keep blowing air but will not be as cold. In hot weather when running your cars ac, do not accelerate too quickly, accelerate gradually and this will keep the ac running as normal.

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Common Types Of Car Ac Systems

How To Diagnose Blend Door Actuators

Blend door actuators are the most common reason for the car air conditioning to blow cold air on one side and hot air on the other. They can be diagnosed with an advanced scan tool. The scan tool can tell if the blend door actuator should be in a different position than commanded. If it does not move with the adjustments and commands, there is a problem with the blend door actuator and it will need to be replaced. If the actuator is clicking, this is another sign it will probably need to be replaced.

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How To Get The Maximum Cooling From Your Cars Ac

This was all about how you can extract maximum cooling from your cars AC. Some of the tips and tricks were to make sure that you enjoy a comfortable ride in the summer days. If you change certain things about your driving and parking habits, your cars AC can definitely perform better.

In the end, heres a treat for you! Watch this video and see how you can get the best from your cars AC!

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What Is Car Air Conditioning Service

Refrigerant serves as the life blood of your air conditioning system. It circulates from compressor to condenser and evaporator, changing back and forth between a liquid and gas state. Much of professional air conditioning service is spent making sure your vehicle has sufficient refrigerant circulating throughout these parts. If your car runs short of R-134a , things are gonna heat up quickly!

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Avoid Giving Your Car A/c Mixed Signals

Once you’ve forced the hot air out of the cabin, how can you keep it cold inside? Crank the temperature dial to its absolute coldest setting.

According to Consumer Reports, keeping the dial somewhere in the middle can make car A/C reheat air slightly, which burns more fuel and makes for a less efficient car A/C system overall. Keep the temperature on the coldest setting, then adjust the fan speed as needed.

Problem: Water On The Floorboards

Bacteria builds up on the air conditioners evaporator coil in the A/C heater box located under your dashboard. The bacteria from airflow mixes with the condensation from the coils, creating a slimy film on the A/C fins and producing a moldy smell. After time, the film builds up and can clog the drain line. The drain line is a rubber hose that begins in the evaporator heater box, goes through the floor, and to the undercarriage to remove excess moisture. Once plugged, water from the condensation fills up the heater box and begins dripping out and onto the floor of the vehicle, typically on the passenger side.

Solution: If you notice the floor of your vehicle is damp, dont hesitate in getting your vehicle to an automotive center for immediate repair. A technician will need to determine what has caused the drain line to become clogged and repair or replace the hose as necessary.

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