The compressor of the AC system moves heat from the radiator to the condenser. Over time, most car AC systems develop leaks and lose a small amount of refrigerant. In most cases, their diagrams are right from the factory manuals. Air in a car AC system decreases the system’s cooling ability because it takes up space in the condenser, yet it doesn’t condense. Use the tester to search for a leak. If the system pressures are too high and/or too low, the expansion device could possibly be the issue. The recommended high-side and low-side pressures can be found in your vehicle's repair manual, or online. Overheated engine. It’s also possible that there is a very simple reason your car air conditioning is not cold, and that is electrical. A green and oily substance may appear in the drain tube if larger leaks are present. With the engine running turn the A/C on max cool, set fans high, and make sure that the clutch is engaging on the compressor. If pressure is low, then there may be a leak: Note: The dye check will not work if the system is too low and the compressor is not cycling. Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. If you’re tracking down a wiring issue, Eautorepair.net is the better choice. #1 Your Car has a Freon Leak One of the most common causes of an air conditioner malfunctioning is a freon leak. The AC evaporator acts like a huge ice cube with holes in it. That air blows through the AC vents which you breathe inside the car. But first, ensure the refrigerant levels are correct and the radiator/A/C Condenser fan(s) are working properly. When diagnosing an air conditioning issue, it's easiest to begin at the compressor: If there is no voltage - a cycling switch may be bad, a fuse may be blown, and the system may not have enough refrigerant pressure to trip the low pressure cutoff switch that cycles the compressor. You can save yourself some cold cash by learning how to fix your car’s AC. Check where the evaporator drains condensation with UV light. You don’t need to tolerate a stuffy, uncomfortable car, and you don’t need to rely on the shop to fix the problem either. Your brake pads and rotors help your vehicle make safe stops, so it's important to replace them when necessary. What’s happening? Failing internal components caused by normal wear or low AC Oil levels caused by leaks. The first culprit of your car air-conditioning not giving off cold air when the car idling is the lack of air flow in the condenser. Having your car’s air conditioning go out suddenly can ruin your day fast. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle. A/C isn’t cooling? Feel the air coming out of the air conditioner and assess how warm, cool, or cold it is. If your air is blowing cool but not cold, the problem could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge your AC. Give attention to the AC evaporator box water drain tube. How to keep your car's ac blowing ice cold in your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer. Alldatadiy.com, on the other hand, uses the factory diagrams. The cooling fan in the condenser is the first thing that you should look into while finding out the reason for car air conditioner not blowing cold air when idling. The receiver/drier and accumulator have a bag of desiccant drying agent to remove and hold the moisture, but it has a limited capacity. Please note that the tool that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program. If the air is warm to cool, but not cold as it should be, there may be an issue with air flow. Problems an AC tech will need to fix Now, we’ll cover a few warm-air AC problems that you’ll need to contact a professional to fix. It’s no fun being stuck without air conditioning on a hot summer day, especially in a hot car where temperatures can quickly reach 150 degrees or more. The system is sealed with r134a gas at a guess which has a pressure switch for high/low pressure safety. It's not the Freon. Another common reason for car AC not blowing cold air when idle is an overheated engine. This article lists the most common causes. The car blows cool but not cold air. To test for air in the system, compare the static pressures listed in this charge to actual readings based on gauges and ambient temperature. Air in the system causes pressures on the high side to be higher than normal and causes the gauge needle to flutter. A person trained in air-conditioning can usually diagnose an issue by reading both gauges. Moreover, timely repair can avoid future issues as well. While checking the AC Condenser, inspect the Radiator / AC cooling fan motor(s). This happens most often in the winter when the seals and tubes contract. It’s that particular unit in your car that keeps the refrigerant cool and then flows through the blower by converting the hot air into cool air. Water in an AC system reacts with the refrigerant to form hydrochloric acid (HCI). New and clogged AC orifice tube. Why is my car air conditioner not blowing cold air? So you have to refer to the factory legends to learn the identification symbols and then refer back to circuit diagrams to find the splice and ground locations. A ride can be even more uncomfortable if you are stuck in traffic. Fortunately, there are things that you can do if your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. Refrigerant and refrigerant oil readily absorb moisture when exposed to air. (C) 1989-2021 AutoZone, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Got feedback for our blog? Troubleshoot these common car air conditioning system problems. Overheated engine Another common reason for car AC not blowing cold air when idle is an overheated engine. However, Alldatadiy.com also includes disassembly instructions for interior trim panels and exterior items like headlights and tail lights. If it is working and not blowing cold enough it is possible you have a leak and there is not enough refrigerant in the … There are many components and other systems that can cause warm air to come from the vents. The cool air felt from the dash vents is provided by the AC heater blower motor assembly. In this case, you can clean it yourself or even change this element. Winter means bad weather, less sunlight, and poor road conditions. Information is accurate and true to the best of AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes. So it reduces the condensing capacity of the condenser. The AC condenser looks similar to a radiator and works in conjunction with the radiator fan(s). The best setting for diagnosis is “fresh air” (not recirculated) with the air blowing out of the center vents in the dash and the AC turned … Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Moisture in the system is freezing at the metering valve and restricting the flow of refrigerant. my AC is giving a cool air but not ice cold … Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. It's cold coming off the compressor but doesn't reach the can. An electronic leak detector is the best way to check for leaks. If your air conditioner doesn't blow cold air it could be because the filter compartment is dirty or stuck. Or, you can simply take your vehicle to the professionals as they know what exactly to do. Use this guide to help you get started replacing brake pads and rotors. Orifice tubes are color coded. Air flowing across the AC condenser tubes cool the hot (gaseous) refrigerant that absorbed heat from inside the vehicle. It’s that sludge that clogs the intake screens to the orifice tubes and expansion valves, preventing them from metering refrigerant into or out of the evaporator. If your AC is charged but not cold, read this. FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. This returns the refrigerant back to a liquid state where it will once again enter the evaporator core and absorb more heat from the interior. See this post for static pressures at ambient temperatures. 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