How to save money with car repairs
You don’t need a mechanic for everything. Here are 10 simple car repairs you can handle yourself.
- Following Autozone, there are several reasons why your car’s AC may not be blowing cold air. Leaks and compressor issues are two of the most common issues.
- Some issues can be easily fixed, while others may require a trip to the mechanic.
Summer vehicles can be incredibly dangerous and incredibly fast.
Inside the car, the temperature can rise by 20 degrees in 10 seconds. At 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior can skyrocket to about 140 degrees in an hour. Even at just 60 degrees, the temperature inside can reach up to 110 degrees.
That being said, the last thing you want during a few hot summer months is a car with no air conditioning. So, if you previously flipped over with AC and warm air comes out of the vent, head straight to the internet to find a solution.
According to AutoZone, there are various reasons why AC may not be working. Leaks and compressor issues are two of the most common issues. Fixing these issues ranges from cheap and fast DIY solutions to heavy bills from mechanics.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my car blowing hot?”, here’s everything you need to know.
How does AC in my car work?
Before trying to determine an air conditioning problem in your vehicle, it is a good idea to briefly understand how it works in the first place. Contrary to what you might believe, the air conditioning system does not create cold air, Autozone says. Instead, they cool the air by removing hot air and moisture.
Essentially, when you turn on AC, refrigerant flows through the system, absorbing heat from the vehicle’s cabin, and is removed through a series of parts and processes. The heat is then released into the atmosphere and the process repeats itself.
Why is my car blowing the heat away?
There are several reasons why AC blows warm air instead of cold air. Some possibilities include:
- Insufficient airflow in the cabin: This can be a bad problem with blower motors, but more commonly it is a clogged cabin air filter.
- Enough refrigerant: Gas circulating through the system can leak.
- The compressor may not be cycling: A clutch problem or a compressor failure will prevent the air conditioning system from dispersing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant.
- The expansion valve is packed: A clogged expansion valve means that the cooled refrigerant cannot return to the cabin.
- The radiator is blocked: Debris that blocks capacitors mounted behind the radiator can make it impossible for heated refrigerant to cool effectively.
- Electricity issues: It may be that the electrical connections are loose, damaged, or some parts such as HVAC controls are not working well.
Diagnose and fix the problem
Depending on the problem, you may be able to diagnose and fix it yourself. Below are some possible steps you can take to achieve a simple fix:
- Check the condition of the cabin air filter and replace it if it is dirty or clogged.
- Make sure the heater fan is blowing. If it is blown away only at high speeds, it could be that the blower motor resolver star is broken or the fuse could be blown.
- Clean the radiator. If there are any debris clogged, flush it out to pass through the air and the condenser.
- Check all wiring connections for the AC system you can access. Please check along the wire for friction or cutting.
- If necessary, use a DIY refrigerant kit to check and refill refrigerant levels.
If a DIY diagnosis does not reveal the root of the problem, or you can’t understand it, Autozone recommends involving experts to avoid spending a lot of time or small scale just to end up on a mechanic anyway.
Additionally, it is important to maintain routine maintenance, such as checking and replacing your cabin air filters, especially during the warm summer months. It is recommended that you specialize in your air conditioning system at least once a year to identify potential issues before leading to serious issues.
Finally, running the air conditioner regularly can help keep the seals dry and not cracked, even in cooler months, leading to leaks.
