What is the reason for the car air conditioner suddenly not cooling and only blowing air?
2 Answers
The reason for the car air conditioner suddenly not cooling and only blowing air is an overload in the cooling system. Below is an introduction to the related issues of the car air conditioner: Reasons for car air conditioner failure: When driving with the air conditioner on, the car needs to draw 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. However, after prolonged use, the filter may become clogged with these particles, preventing air from entering. This affects the cooling performance of the air conditioner 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 processes, there are small gaps in the engine hood, allowing dust to enter. If these areas become too dirty, heat dissipation will be affected. Solutions for car air conditioner failure: Clean the condenser, repair or replace the compressor, add air conditioner refrigerant, and adjust the belt tension. The reasons for the car air conditioner not cooling are: too much dust on the condenser; damaged or malfunctioning compressor capacitor; leakage of air conditioner refrigerant; loose car air conditioner belt; moisture in the cooling system. Methods for maintaining the car air conditioner include choosing the appropriate air conditioner temperature; controlling the direction of the air outlet; avoiding prolonged operation; avoiding smoking when the air conditioner is on; avoiding using the air conditioner at low speeds; and turning off the air conditioner before shutting down the engine.
I've experienced the car AC suddenly blowing warm air several times, and there are quite a few common causes. It could be a refrigerant leak (commonly called "low on Freon"), leading to insufficient system pressure for proper cooling. Alternatively, the compressor might be faulty and unable to compress refrigerant to produce cold air, usually due to long-term wear or electrical issues. Another possibility is a non-functioning or clogged fan causing poor condenser heat dissipation, which affects cooling performance. Electrical problems like blown fuses or relay failures can interrupt control signals. A severely dirty cabin air filter blocking airflow may also reduce cooling efficiency. When this happens suddenly, don't keep driving - pull over safely to check simple components like fuse boxes or filter locations, then visit a professional repair shop for diagnosis. Regular AC system maintenance can prevent such sudden failures and ensure safe summer travels.
