What to Do When the Car Air Conditioning Suddenly Stops Working?
2 Answers
There are many reasons why a car air conditioner may fail to start, such as refrigerant leaks, compressor issues, or electrical system faults, all of which can prevent the car air conditioning compressor from functioning effectively. Check if the issue is due to refrigerant leakage or quality problems and promptly add or replace the refrigerant. Analysis of reasons for car air conditioner failure to start: 1. High and low pressure gauges show low readings: This is mainly due to insufficient refrigerant. During inspection, you may find the high-pressure pipe slightly warm and the low-pressure pipe slightly cold, but the temperature difference is not significant. Bubbles can be observed in the sight glass every 1~2 seconds. 2. Low-pressure gauge shows low readings: A hazy mist flow can be seen in the sight glass, with no temperature difference between the high and low-pressure pipes, and the air is not cold, indicating severe refrigerant leakage. It is recommended to fix the leak before replenishing the refrigerant. 3. Low-pressure gauge reading is close to zero, and high-pressure gauge shows low readings: In this case, the air conditioning system usually blows warm air, and frost forms on the pipes before and after the expansion valve. The cause may be frost blockage in the expansion valve, preventing the refrigerant from circulating in the system.
Last time my air conditioning suddenly wouldn't turn on, I first turned off the engine and restarted it to see if it was a car startup issue. If the problem persists, don't panic—check the fuse box, usually located near the driver's seat. Those small components inside can easily blow and affect the AC. If the fuses are fine, try testing the airflow buttons; if they don't respond, the switch might be faulty or there could be a wiring issue. Sometimes the compressor gets stuck, so restarting the engine a few times might help. If that doesn't work, it could be a refrigerant leak or a control module malfunction. In such cases, it's best not to force the AC on to avoid damaging more components—instead, roll down the windows for cooling or visit a roadside shop for a quick check. I've been in a similar situation—driving in hot weather is unbearable, so addressing it promptly saves bigger headaches later. Try troubleshooting yourself first, then call an expert if needed. Safety comes first—don't risk getting stranded on the highway.
