What are the reasons for a car air conditioner not cooling?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car air conditioner may not cool: 1. Lack of refrigerant. Car air conditioners typically require refrigerant replenishment every 2-3 years, with leaks being the main cause of refrigerant loss. If your car's air conditioner stops cooling and resumes after adding refrigerant but stops again after a while, you should be cautious. 2. Damaged air conditioner flap. Damage to the air conditioner flap motor is relatively rare but not unheard of. If the flap motor fails, it can be troublesome. The flap motor is usually located in the lower middle part of the dashboard and serves as the main switch for the air vents. If it fails, the switch is broken, and even if the air conditioner can produce cold air, it will only come out through gaps, making the cooling effect minimal. 3. Dirty condenser. The purpose of cleaning the radiator and condenser is mainly for heat dissipation. When cleaning, be sure to first use compressed air to blow away debris before washing with water; otherwise, it may have the opposite effect, leading to poor cooling and increased fuel consumption. 4. Damaged air conditioner compressor, throttle valve, or expansion valve. The probability of the air conditioner compressor failing is low, so there's no need to worry too much. However, faults in the expansion valve or throttle valve can directly cause the air conditioner to stop cooling. 5. Worn or loose belt. During routine maintenance, 4S shops usually remind you to replace the belt. If not replaced, slippage may occur during use, leading to belt breakage, unusual noises, loss of power assistance, and poor air conditioner cooling. 6. Water in the pipeline. The car air conditioner's refrigeration system includes a dryer tank, whose main function is to absorb moisture from the refrigerant and prevent excessive moisture from reducing cooling capacity. When the desiccant in the dryer tank becomes saturated, it can no longer filter out moisture.
When my car's air conditioning suddenly stopped cooling, I figured out a few common causes on my own. The most common issue is insufficient refrigerant, as some may leak over time; next is a problem with the compressor, which may fail to compress the refrigerant properly due to aging or malfunction; a non-functioning fan can also affect heat dissipation, leading to poor cooling performance; additionally, a blown circuit fuse can cause the AC to trip as soon as it's turned on; furthermore, a clogged cabin air filter can restrict airflow, preventing cold air from blowing out. Checking the fan operation before each drive and briefly inspecting the fuse box can help avoid major issues. Regular maintenance is crucial, such as recharging the refrigerant every two years to keep the AC system healthy—after all, not having AC in the summer is unbearable, so it's best to get it checked at a professional shop early on.
