What to Do When Foreign Objects Enter the Car Air Conditioning System?
2 Answers
First, identify the object to determine what has fallen in. If the object is not too large, you can directly turn on the air conditioning, increase the fan speed, and blow the object out. Be sure to observe the air vents during this process. If the object gets stuck in a certain part of the air conditioning system, it is recommended to use a small screwdriver or other long, thin object to gently poke or hook the object out. If necessary, visit a professional repair shop such as a 4S store to have the system disassembled and the object removed.
Last time I turned on the AC, leaves blew out with a strange smell. Upon checking, I found debris stuck in the AC intake. I immediately pulled over, popped the hood to locate the cabin air filter—usually behind the glove compartment on the passenger side. When I pulled it out, it was clogged with dust and leaves. After cleaning and replacing the filter, everything worked fine. If the filter change doesn’t solve it, foreign objects might have fallen into the blower fan, causing noise when spinning—never force the system on to avoid damage. I handle minor fixes myself, but for anything complex, it’s safer to visit a repair shop. Prevention is key: avoid parking under trees, flush the AC system annually to prevent dust buildup (which affects health) and extend its lifespan. Address odd smells or weak airflow promptly.
