What Causes the Subaru Forester's Air Conditioning Not to Cool?

[DeOlivia]

Subaru Forester's air conditioning not cooling is caused by a blocked expansion valve in the AC system, which prevents the refrigerant from circulating properly, thus failing to produce cooling. Here are some tips for using car air conditioning: 1. Ventilate before turning it on: After the car has been exposed to prolonged sunlight, open all four doors and the sunroof to allow air circulation for 3 minutes. This quickly lowers the interior temperature, making the AC cooling more effective. 2. Use the recirculation mode wisely: Recirculation blocks outside hot air, creating a sealed space inside the car where air rapidly circulates under the AC's effect for quick cooling. Once the interior temperature drops, it's recommended to switch to fresh air mode every 30 minutes to purify the cabin air, then switch back to recirculation after 5 minutes. 3. Turn off the AC in time: Shut off the air conditioning 5 minutes before parking to protect the engine and save fuel.

[SanBradley]

My Subaru Forester's AC suddenly stopped cooling, and I'm familiar with this issue! Last time, I checked for a long time and found that the refrigerant had completely leaked out. The repair shop said it might be due to aging pipe connections. It's also quite common for the compressor to fail—if you don't hear a humming sound when starting up, that’s a bad sign. Sometimes, the dashboard will light up a warning indicator. A dirty condenser is troublesome too—I’ve seen cases where it was clogged with poplar fluff, causing poor heat dissipation. Another possibility is an electronic thermostat malfunction; if the temperature sensor is faulty, it sends incorrect signals. You can check the AC pipes yourself—if the high-pressure pipe isn’t hot and the low-pressure pipe isn’t cold, it’s likely a refrigerant issue. I recommend not delaying; driving without AC in hot weather is unbearable. The best way is to take it to a shop and test it with a pressure gauge.

[DiZachary]

A friend had an issue with his Forester's AC not cooling, and I helped him troubleshoot it. First, we ruled out basic problems like mistakenly adjusting the temperature knob—we didn't make that rookie mistake. Next, we checked the cabin air filter, which was clogged like a piece of charcoal. Replacing it immediately improved airflow, but the cooling still didn't kick in. Later, we discovered the compressor clutch was burnt out—the belt would spin freely without engaging when starting the AC. Also, watch out for a stuck expansion valve, as it can interrupt refrigerant flow. A faulty radiator fan can also drag down AC performance by hindering heat dissipation. We picked up a handy trick: after turning on the AC, feel the pipes in the engine bay. If both are at room temperature, it means the system has completely failed and needs immediate repair.

[DelJasmine]

Here's how I dealt with my Forester's AC failure: First, check the electrical system. Ensure the AC switch is powered, and inspect each fuse by pulling them out one by one in the engine compartment fuse box. Then, listen for a clicking sound from the compressor—if absent, check the relay. If the blower makes unusual noises, remove the glove compartment to clean the filter. Refrigerant leaks are often caused by condenser damage from road debris; a pressure gauge will show abnormally low pressure. Older cars need attention to aging pipe seals—my five-year-old car had two seals replaced. Timely repairs are crucial. Last year, news reported a driver suffering heatstroke due to AC failure. Spending a little now ensures safety.