Is it normal for the car air conditioner to have no airflow in gears 1-2-3 but normal airflow in gear 4?
2 Answers
It is normal for the car air conditioner to have no airflow in gears 1-2-3 but normal airflow in gear 4. Power of the air conditioner: Different cars have different power levels. For every 1 ton of refrigeration capacity obtained by the car air conditioner, it consumes 2 horsepower. To save space in the car, the condenser of the car air conditioner is usually designed to be smaller, and the operating environment temperature is relatively high. Therefore, to achieve the same refrigeration capacity, the car air conditioner inevitably consumes more power than a household air conditioner. Maintenance of the car air conditioner: When using the air conditioner for the first time in summer, you should first check the air conditioning system, such as checking the refrigerant and whether the air filter is too dirty through the liquid storage tank, and whether there are foreign objects in the radiator. Cleaning of the car air conditioner: The air filter should be replaced regularly; otherwise, the air conditioner will produce a musty smell. In addition, the condenser should also be cleaned regularly, and the water tank should be removed for thorough cleaning.
I used to drive a small car where the air conditioner didn't blow any air at settings 1, 2, or 3, but it immediately cooled down when switched to setting 4. At first, I thought the AC was broken, but when I took it to a repair shop, the mechanic said it was a typical blower motor resistor issue. In most cars, lower settings rely on the resistor to adjust the fan speed. If it burns out, higher settings still work normally because they draw power directly. I didn't fix it promptly, and driving in the summer was unbearably hot—I almost got heatstroke. I recommend not delaying: check the fuse or do a simple resistor test. If the cost isn't high, replace it yourself or get a professional to fix it. While you're at it, maintain the whole system to prevent short circuits, avoiding bigger faults that could affect driving safety. In short, this isn't normal—get it fixed ASAP.
