Why Does Refrigerant Leak To Begin With
The most common reason for an Air conditioning system to not function properly is Freon leaks. A broken seal or a cracked hose are some of the reasons that cause a refrigerant leak.
If there are moist conditions, a broken seal wouldnt help things at all as the excessive water vapour in the air could mix with the Refrigerant and form an acid that can affect the functioning of crucial parts of the AC system.
Faulty Blend Door Actuator
The blend door actuator, also known as the temperature blend door actuator or vent mode door actuator, can break or malfunction over time. A blend door actuator is faulty if the HVAC control module commands it to a certain position but it fails to comply, leading to situations like the temp blowing hotter or colder than its intended setting. A faulty blend door actuator can be identified with a powerful scan tool and sometimes makes a clicking noise from worn or broken internal parts.
Why Does Your Car Ac Blow Hot Air
That is because something internally is malfunctioning and needs your attention.
Thankfully, if you have made it this far, you should have a much better idea as to the cause. The longer you wait to resolve the issue, the more likely it is to lead to something more severe.
Regardless, can you really survive in a hot climate without a working AC system? Its really not worth it.
Read Also: How Much Does Registration Cost In California
Reasons Your Car A/c Is Blowing Hot Air
When you get in your car on a hot day, your car will likely blow warm air at first. This is normal because the system needs time to cool the air. But if you keep driving and youre still sweating, its time to bring your car to the experts.
We talked to Dale Gilbert, an experienced Technician at Virginia Tire & Auto of One Loudoun, to learn all about vehicle air conditioners. He shared four of the most common problems he sees related to an A/C blowing hot air.
Clogged Filters Can Cause Ac To Start Blowing Warm Air
To function properly, the air conditioner has to maintain adequate airflow. Failing to do so can lead to hot air coming from the air conditioner.
One thing that can restrict airflow severely enough are clogged air filters. If air filters are clogged, the airflow will be reduced drastically, and every part of AC will try to overcompensate for the lack of airflow .
This can lead to a number of problems with AC blowing hot air being one of them.
Do note, however, that dirty filters usually only lead to AC not blowing cold air. For AC to start blowing warm air , the airflow really has to be severely restricted. Only when filters are clogged the airflow is restricted enough for the AC to blow warm air result.
Air filters that are dirty and only need to be cleaned are not the cause of warm air coming from your AC unit.
Clogged AC filters are. In this case, the fix is simple: just replace the air filters. With a normal airflow, the AC will start working normally again.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Walmart Charge To Install Car Stereos
Faulty Compressor Leading To Ac Blowing Hot Air
If your freon levels are OK, the reason for your AC blowing hot air might be a faulty AC compressor.
AC compressor has only 1 job: to compress the freon. Fully compressed freon will undergo full expansion, and will fully cool down the cooling coils.
If the AC compressor doesnt do its job well and freon is not compressed fully, the freon expansions will also be insufficient. That means that cooling coils might not be properly cooled. In fact, cooling coils might start getting warm and even hot without sufficient freon expansion .
Which leads to youve guessed it AC blowing hot air.
How to fix hot air coming from your AC due to a faulty compressor?
Compressors are notoriously difficult to fix. In most cases, its much easier to just replace the faulty compressor. This is also what most HVAC professionals will do.
With smaller window or portable AC units, you can try to replace the compressor yourself. With bigger units , its better for a professional to do the job. The compressor, if youre interested, is located in the outdoor unit.
When the AC compressor is replaced/fixed, the freon compressor will go back to normal. If this truly was the issue, you will see that once you fix it, the AC will start blowing cold air again.
How Do I Fix My Car Ac From Blowing Hot Air
If your car has a refrigerant leak, you should know that it is very difficult for you to tell because of the very fact that refrigerant immediately evaporates upon making contact with the outside air. This means that you wonât easily tell if it is leaking unless you know your way around your carâs AC. The best way for you to have this issue fixed is to take your car to a technician or a mechanic to have the AC problems diagnosed.
Meanwhile, if your issue is in relation to the condenser, the problem might be something as simple as debris blocking it. However, if you found yourself in a minor collision in the past, the collision might have damaged the condenser. This means that the only way for you to have it fixed is to take your car to the shop.
In some cases, compressor issues happen when the car goes through a long period of not using the AC, such as when it is winter. A lot of people actually keep the compressor working all year long by keeping the AC in the defrost setting so that the compressor wonât go through periods of inactivity.
Finally, if the problem is related to electrical problems, try looking at your fuse box to see if there is a blown fuse. A blown fuse can be a sign of more serious electrical problems that can only be solved by taking your car to the mechanic. However, there are some cases when a fuse replacement can actually fix the entire problem.
Recommended Reading: Does Carvana Lease Cars
Help Us Diagnose Your Car’s A/c Problem
Help our technicians diagnose the culprit that’s causing your A/C to blow cold then warm by taking note of the following:
- Are all of the vents getting warm, or just one?
- How long were you driving before the A/C started blowing warm air?
- Has this happened before and if so, how many times? Under what driving conditions?
- Does the A/C start blowing warm air on the highway? In stop-and-go traffic?
When your car A/C blows cold then warm, head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care. An A/C performance check is the easiest way to start uncovering what’s plaguing your car air conditioner. Schedule an appointment online or stop by your nearest location today!
What Happens If The Compressor Fails To Work
If a compressor fails, there would be no flow of Freon. And flowing of freon is crucial as it lays the basis for the process of supplying cool air.
So the short, simple and easy answer to this would be that the AC would blow hot air. Thus, a compressor would always be needed for the proper functioning of AC.
You May Like: The Fastest Car In The World 2021
What Causes The Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air One Side
There are several common causes including a bad blend door actuator, control module, incorrect settings, battery issues, or low refrigerant. Unfortunately, as these systems become more complex, the opportunity for failure increases.
On top of this, your ability to fix these complicated problems is limited by the need for specialty tools and scanning equipment required. However, before going straight to a mechanic and spending money, do some quick tests to work out what the issue is.
Also known as the temperature blend door actuator or vent mode door actuator, this is a mechanism that blocks or allows cool or hot air through. The door or related systems can fail which causes the door to stop actuating.
If you notice a clicking or ticking sound when operating your air conditioning, this could be a sign of a faulty actuator. This is especially the case if you hear the noises when experiencing the symptom of one side only blowing hot or cold air.
The two most common causes are either a failed mechanical issue or failed sensor. Generally, a gear in the temperature blend door actuator is faulty and the actuator component needs to be replaced. This is possible to be done by someone with little automotive repair experience.
Drivers behavior can also be surveyed and monitored. It is clear that a vehicles air temperature is changed far more than the mode is changed . As the temperature actuators are much more involved in the former, the actuators will generally fail first.
Install Ac Curtains And Park The Car On Shade Areas As Much As Possible
It would be best if you did not break your head thinking Why is my car air conditioner blowing hot air and how to fix it as you can achieve it easily by following simple methods like parking your car in shaded areas or even installing AC curtains.
These Are simple tricks that ensure your car AC blows colder air than the usual warmer air it blows.
When the car is parked in a shaded area or when you have installed AC curtains, it tends to keep the air inside the car cooler, which eventually leads to the AC picking up the cooler air and turning it into more cooler air during the journey!
Recommended Reading: How Much Is License And Registration In California
Avoid Pulling The Temperature To Maximum
If your car blows hot air when ac is on, you must first check out for the reasons mentioned above to find the exact cause. But if, in general, the car is not living up to the expectations of fulfilling the desired coldness inside the car while it is turned on, you might well make some changes to how you use it.
Please do not pull the temperature to maximum soon after you start it! When you do so, the system actually takes up air from inside the car and cools it down to blow that cold air to you again. And the air inside the car is already hotter, of course! So, drive for some time at normal temperature, then turn to max chilling mode.
Clogged Or Dirty Cabin Air Filter
If you notice the car AC stops blowing cold air after a while of having the runtime, you may well think there is a problem in the cabin air filter of the cooling system. Though it is not always that all cars have cabin air filters but the ones that possess them needs to know that when the cabin air filter is clogged or dirty, it can block the pathway of the cold air throughout the cooling system, leading to blowing of air from the car AC.
The main purpose of the cabin air filter is to purify the air and let it pass through the cooling system without any obstructions. But when the filter itself is filled with debris, dust particles, bugs, leaves, and dirt of other types, you cannot expect it to function properly.
So, you need to keep in mind that the cabin air filter must not be dirty or clogged. And for that, you have to constantly keep cleaning it after every ride or once in a week or so. If the filter is not kept clean regularly and the debris remains stuck in it, not only will it lead to the blowing of hot air from the system, but in the long run, it will affect the entire cooling system negatively.
Don’t Miss: How To Cancel My Geico Policy Online
Signs That Ac Filter Is Clogged:
Reduced airflow –
The most obvious sign that a filter needs cleaning is reduced air, as when dust sits on the filter, the air would pass through in smaller amounts as dust acts as an additional barrier.
Increased dust from AC –
The second most obvious sign is that there is an increased amount of dust in the cabin. As the blower moves, the dust particles that are sitting on the filter start to disperse and before you know it, loads of dust enters the car’s cabin.
Keep Your Engine Cool
It is pretty essential, especially in the hot season. The system ensures a stable temperature and during the fixed cycle time.
According to the manufacturers, we are also responsible for rotating the system and periodically flushing the water during the specified cycle.
In addition to keeping the engine cool it is also important to regularly check the pipes and transmission belts because these parts are also prone to cracks and heat burns.
You May Like: How To Get Paper Title In Florida
Reason #: The Condenser Is Broken
If there doesnt appear to be anything blocking the condenser, its possible that it may be broken altogether. 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.
What Are The Symptoms Of Poor Ac Performance
For once the air conditioner system will not be able to maintain an optimum cabin temperature due to poor performance. It could also happen that the air conditioner system only works during the early morning or evening time. If the refrigerant is low or the car is he would not work at all. Also, a failing compressor can sometimes work and sometimes fail to works in an intermediate way.
Also Check: Where To Charge Car Ac
Common Car A/c Repair Issues
Leaking Refrigerant When a cars air conditioner gradually loses its cool, one of the most common reasons is a leak in the system. In some cases, an additive combined with the freon will take care of the problem. If your car is over five years old, brittle or inelastic rubber O-rings used throughout your autos A/C system are more likely to blame.
Electrical Issues Your cars AC system is a tangle of wires, fuses, switches and relays. A fault with any of these items can cause your autos A/C to stop functioning and blow hot air.
Failing Expansion Valve Is your autos A/C alternating between blowing cold then hot air? It could be your expansion valve is corroded or failing. This leads to ineffective refrigerant flow-either too restrictive or not restrictive enough. The result is a constant swing from hot to cold air.
Faulty Cooling Fans When fans arent operating at full strength, your cars AC will gradually begin blowing hot air. The fans can be damaged by road debris. The issue may also be related to blown fuses or electrical issues.
Blocked or Broken Condenser An auto A/C systems condenser re-cools hot refrigerant once its been compressed. The condenser can easily break or become blocked from road debris. That means air isnt cooled as effectively or not at all.
Low Or Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a fluid that cools your passenger cabin as it alternately expands and condenses, circulating throughout the air conditioning system. Since the system is sealed and airtight, your refrigerant supply cannot evaporate or get used up. A low level of refrigerant means youve got a leak somewhere, which should be repaired before your coolant is topped up.
Locating and fixing a refrigerant leak is a complicated task, best left to an auto repair professional. If youre driving a pre-1995 vehicle, Ontario law makes it even more complicated you must have it leak-tested by a technician with an Ozone Depletion Prevention certificate to ensure that you wont be discharging an ozone-depleting substance.
SOLUTION: Sorry, there is no option for DIY here. As an Ottawa car owner, youll need a certified technician to handle this one.
Don’t Miss: Can I Get A Duplicate Title The Same Day In Florida
Car Air Conditioner Blows Cold Then Warm
An automotive air conditioning when blows cold air for a while than warm air is called Intermittent cooling. A car air conditioner starts cold then gets warm feels like the AC is tricking you. There are several reasons why a car air conditioner blows cold then warm. Here you will find the complete reasons of a car AC blows cold then warm then cold again.
11 Reasons For Car Air Conditioner Blows Cold Then Warm
Below are the eleven complete reasons for a car air conditioner blowing cold then warm.
Aamco Utah: Keeping Your Cool When You Need It The Most
AAMCO Utah is a reputable auto care center in Utah that has been offering state of the art transmission car maintenance and repair for years. We take pride in our expert and professional technicians, modern equipment, and years of experience servicing American licensed vehicles. We also offer Car A/C repair and maintenance, among other services such as suspension system service, electrical system maintenance, Engine tune-up service, Brake repair, and maintenance, and many more.
Is your A/C unit blowing cold air momentarily, then turning hot? Your air conditioning system might be faulty. your local AAMCO Utah auto care center, our qualified technicians will work swiftly to restore your system for a more comfortable ride this summer.
Also Check: Who Accepts Car Care Credit Card
