What Causes a Car's Air Conditioner to Suddenly Stop Cooling and Only Blow Air?
2 Answers
An overloaded cooling system may be the reason why a car's air conditioner suddenly stops cooling and only blows air. Relevant explanations are as follows: Causes of car air conditioner malfunctions: When a car is driving with the air conditioner on, it draws in external air into the cabin. However, the external air contains harmful particles such as dust and odors, which the air filter can filter out. Over time, the filter may become clogged with these particles, preventing air from entering. This affects the air conditioner's cooling performance and increases fuel consumption. The radiator and condenser are used for heat dissipation and are located in the engine compartment at the front of the car. Due to current assembly techniques, there are small gaps in the engine cover, allowing dust to enter. If these areas become too dirty, heat dissipation will be affected. Solutions for car air conditioner malfunctions: Clean the condenser, repair or replace the compressor, add air conditioner refrigerant, and adjust the belt tension. Reasons why a car air conditioner may not cool include: excessive dust on the condenser; damaged or malfunctioning compressor capacitor; leakage of air conditioner refrigerant; loose car air conditioner belt; moisture infiltration in the cooling system. Methods for maintaining a car air conditioner include selecting an appropriate temperature; controlling the direction of the air outlet; avoiding prolonged operation; refraining from smoking while the air conditioner is on; avoiding using the air conditioner at low speeds; and turning off the air conditioner before shutting off the engine.
My car also experienced the sudden issue of only blowing hot air from the AC, which is quite common. It could simply be due to refrigerant leakage—without this liquid, naturally, no cold air can be produced. Compressor problems are another reason; it's responsible for compressing the refrigerant, and if it's broken or the clutch isn't engaging, the fan spinning won't help. There's also the possibility of a clogged condenser, a non-working fan, or electrical circuit issues like a blown fuse. Last time, I checked the fuse box myself, located in the engine compartment—replacing it is easy if that's the issue, otherwise, you'll need a mechanic. Don't forget about a dirty evaporator; dust accumulation over time affects cooling efficiency. If this happens while driving, it's advisable to pull over immediately, open the windows for ventilation, and not push through—safety first. Regularly inspect the AC system, such as topping up the refrigerant every six months, to prevent leakage issues from recurring.
