What Causes a Car Air Conditioner to Not Cool?
2 Answers
The reasons for a car air conditioner not cooling and the methods for air conditioner maintenance are as follows: 1. Damage to the air conditioner compressor, throttle valve, or expansion valve: There is a saying in the air conditioner compressor field, 'Low pressure high, high pressure low, replace the compressor.' The probability of air conditioner compressor damage is not high, but faults in the expansion valve and throttle valve directly lead to poor air conditioner cooling. 2. Lack of refrigerant: Because the sealing device of the air conditioner is not absolutely sealed, the refrigerant of the air conditioner generally dissipates over time. Therefore, ordinary vehicles need to add refrigerant every 2-3 years. Some cars may even require it once a year. If the car air conditioner starts to cool poorly shortly after adding refrigerant, this indicates a condenser leak. The method to check for leaks is quite labor-intensive. Generally, a fluorescent agent is added to the refrigerant oil, and a special glass is used to inspect for leaks, which helps locate the leak point.
My car's air conditioning suddenly stopped cooling two months ago, which really scared me and made me check it immediately. Insufficient refrigerant is a common cause, possibly due to a leak in the system, such as aging seals or a broken pipe; a faulty compressor can prevent the refrigerant from circulating—if you hear a clicking sound when starting up, that's likely the issue. A dirty or blocked condenser affects heat dissipation, so you can clean it when washing your car. Also, a clogged air filter can block the airflow, reducing cooling efficiency—usually, replacing the filter solves this. A non-working fan or a loose belt can also cause the compressor to malfunction. I looked up DIY methods online, but simple tasks like adding refrigerant require professional tools, so I recommend going to a 4S shop for repairs to be safe. Don’t end up making things worse like I did.
