Why isn't the air conditioner in my car blowing cold air?

This is a common issue that occurs in nearly every vehicle equipped with an air conditioner. Even after making the proper AC settings, the air conditioner may stop working or blowing hot air. Because of the complexity of the vehicle's air conditioning system, diagnosing this problem may be difficult.

Dealing with the problem becomes even more difficult because it may involve other components of the vehicle. Hence why it is recommended to book your car in for a car service in Reading and let allow the professionals fix the issue.

The Most Common Causes Why isn't a car's air conditioner blowing cold air?

Refrigerant Leakage - Refrigerant leakage is the most common cause of AC problems. This could occur at any of the circuit components or the connections between them. The external condenser is the most common location for leakage. This could be due to a dent in the fluffy fins caused by an accident. You can find the leak by smearing some oil on it.

Inadequate Cooling Fans - Inadequate cooling fans can have a negative impact on cooling the hot refrigerant emitted by the compressor. Due to the impact of the fans blowing cold air, the hot refrigerant must cool by flowing inside the condenser.

Faulty Compressor - A bad compressor prevents refrigerant from flowing successfully through the AC circuit, resulting in no cold air. The most common mistake that causes compressor damage is leaving it idle for long periods of time. You can, for example, leave the air conditioner off during the winter.

Blocked Condenser - This could be one of the causes of no cold air blowing from the air vents. A clogged condenser could be caused by a car driving through mud or by sludge in the pipes. This creates a barrier between the refrigerant and the cold air blown by cooling fans. It eventually stops the refrigerant from cooling.

Electrical Issues - An order from the ECU is required for the cooling fan to run at maximum speed to cool the engine while turning on the AC, as well as to provide the refrigerant with the cool it requires to operate. It then travels to the fuse box to magnetise a relay, which activates the fan at the appropriate speed. Turning on the air conditioner thus involves many electrical systems that must be in perfect working order to function as expected. Any failure in the circuits, such as a faulty relay, will prevent the signals from reaching the fans. This will then prevent the engine from receiving adequate ventilation, causing it to overheat.

Clutch Cycling Switch Failure - This is a critical component of the AC system. It is located in the AC's low-pressure zone. Its function is to monitor the pressure of the refrigerant flow in the system. When the switch detects a drop in pressure below a certain level, it allows pressure to flow to the low-pressure area, bringing the pressure in the system back up to normal. If this switch has a problem, such as a bad contact or another electrical fault, it will disrupt the entire process. This is because the switch is in charge of maintaining a constant pressure in the alternating current circuit.

How Air Conditioning in a Car Works

Let us begin by getting a good understanding of how the air conditioning system works, the function of each component, and how it affects the system. It is critical to understand how all of these components interact in order to enjoy the cold air in your cabin. The following are the major components of the air conditioning system:

Refrigerant - While this is not a component of the system, it is required for it to function. The refrigerant is the air conditioning system's lifeline. It is required by all system components for the AC process to be successful. Refrigerant exists in the form of a gas. The refrigerant is a liquid at high temperatures and pressures. There are numerous refrigerant codes, such as "R-134A," "R-410A," "R-22," and others. As a result, you should stick to the recommended type for your vehicle. Either consult your owner's manual or conduct an online search for full car service near me to speak with a professional.

Compressor - The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. The compressor's job is to compress the refrigerant and convert it from a gaseous to a liquid state under high pressure and temperature. The compressor operates by connecting to the engine via a drive belt and obtaining rotation from the engine.

Condenser - This is one of the most delicate components of an air conditioning system. The condenser is situated in the front of the vehicle. It has the appearance of a radiator, but it is located directly in front of it, facing the cooling fans. The condenser's primary function is to condense the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor. This occurs when the refrigerant flows inside the condenser tubes while facing the cold air blowing from the front of the vehicle.

Evaporator - The only component found inside the cabin is the evaporator. The remaining components are housed in the engine compartment. The evaporator has the same fins and tubes as a small radiator. The primary function of this component is to receive cold refrigerant from the drier/receiver. Heat is exchanged between the cabin air and the outside air as it passes through the cold evaporator core. That is when cold air is blown from the cabin's air vents.

Receiver - The receiver is used during the preparation stage. It removes any moisture from the refrigerant that may have accumulated while in the evaporator. The importance of removing moisture is that it prevents ice from forming, which can lead to component blockage and damage.

Expansion Valve - This component's primary function is to convert a high-pressure liquid refrigerant to a low-pressure liquid.

Final Thoughts

One simple way to keep the cold air in the cabin is to search online for where can I get my car serviced near me and have a car mechanic change the cabin/Ac filter on a regular basis. This keeps the evaporator clean and clear of clogs. If you suspect you have a problem and are unable to diagnose it on your own, it is best to seek professional assistance.