Why does the car air conditioner alternate between cooling and natural wind?
2 Answers
The air conditioner alternating between cool wind and natural wind depends on whether the compressor is working. When the compressor is working, it produces cool wind; when it is not working, it produces natural wind. Here is some relevant information: Reasons why the compressor may not be working: The compressor load is too high, causing the overcurrent protector to trip and shut off power. The mainboard control is faulty, intermittently starting the compressor. Air in the system is not completely purged, leading to excessively high pressure, which triggers the high-pressure protector and shuts down the system. Reasons for abnormal air output from the air conditioner: The automatic mode may be enabled. When the set temperature is close to the room temperature, the system shuts down upon reaching the set temperature, creating the false impression of a malfunction where the system turns on and off frequently, even though there is no actual issue with the air conditioner. The voltage is unstable or abnormal. The compressor's overcurrent protection is triggered. It is recommended to try replacing the voltage stabilizer. The indoor coil temperature is too high, causing a protective shutdown. When the indoor temperature is 26 degrees and the outdoor temperature is above 20 degrees, the air conditioner cannot heat properly, making it prone to protective shutdowns.
My car has also experienced the issue where the AC blows cold air for a while and then switches to natural wind. Veteran drivers suspect the compressor clutch might be faulty—sometimes it overheats and stops rotating due to self-protection, causing the airflow to turn lukewarm. Another possibility is insufficient refrigerant, where low pressure prevents the AC from running continuously. A clogged expansion valve is also a common culprit, leading to unstable cooling performance. Poor condenser heat dissipation can also trigger frequent compressor cycling. For safety, I recommend first checking if the front cooling fan is spinning properly. If there are any abnormal noises, shut off the engine immediately and visit a professional repair shop for a full inspection of the cooling system to avoid heatstroke risks in hot weather. Regular AC maintenance can prevent many such failures—don’t wait until minor issues turn into costly repairs.
