What Causes Intermittent Car Air Conditioning Issues?
2 Answers
Intermittent car air conditioning problems may be caused by the following reasons: 1. Lack of Freon: Check for possible leaks by dripping water at the pipe joints of the car. Bubbles usually appear at the leak points. After locating and repairing the leak, visit a repair shop or maintenance center to refill Freon. 2. Dirty Filter: Try locating the bypass valve on the filter element base. The valve opens when the pressure difference on both sides reaches a certain value. Generally, engine oil flows into the main oil pipeline through this pipe. Use automotive-specific lubricant to lubricate other related components. 3. Insufficient Antifreeze: Visit a 4S shop or auto repair shop for professional inspection and repair. 4. Aging Air Conditioning Core: If the car's air conditioning core has been used for a long time, it might be the issue. Purchase a new air conditioning core online and install it. 5. Excessive Refrigerant Pressure: Use a pressure gauge to check the refrigerant's pressure value and thoroughly clean the condenser. 6. Insufficient Refrigerant (Snow Seal): Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure value while the car is running. Carefully observe if the cooler is functioning normally. If not, it might be due to insufficient refrigerant, which results in weak or ineffective cooling. If the refrigerant is insufficient, visit a repair shop for a refill.
I found that the car's air conditioning is intermittent, mainly due to some intermittent faults, possibly caused by a slow refrigerant leak, with the system pressure fluctuating, leading to intermittent cooling. Check the refrigerant level and for any leakage points in the pipes, as older cars are prone to aging seal rings at the joints. Or there might be poor electrical contact, such as wear on the air conditioning switch or relay contacts, which becomes more noticeable in hot weather, causing unstable circuit connections. The compressor clutch is also a common issue; internal friction plate wear can cause slipping, improper engagement, and thus intermittent cooling. Don’t overlook the drifting of the temperature control sensor, which monitors the cabin temperature—if it fails, it can misjudge the operating status. These issues aren’t suitable for DIY fixes; I recommend going to a professional repair shop for a systematic check as soon as possible to avoid affecting driving comfort.
