Why does the car air conditioning not cool in high temperatures?
3 Answers
Car air conditioning not cooling in high temperatures is due to a lack of refrigerant. The following is a related introduction to car air conditioning: 1. Air conditioning layout: Different types of air conditioning systems have different layout methods. Currently, cars widely use integrated heating and cooling air conditioning systems. The layout form involves assembling the evaporator, heater radiator, centrifugal fan, and control mechanism together, known as the air conditioning unit assembly. 2. Air conditioning components: Modern air conditioning systems consist of refrigeration systems, heating systems, ventilation and air purification devices, and control systems. Car air conditioning generally includes the compressor, electronically controlled clutch, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, receiver-drier, pipelines, condenser fan, vacuum solenoid valve, idle speed controller, and control system. Car air conditioning is divided into high-pressure and low-pressure pipelines. The high-pressure side includes the compressor output side, high-pressure pipelines, condenser, receiver-drier, and liquid pipelines; the low-pressure side includes the evaporator, accumulator, return pipelines, compressor input side, and compressor oil pan.
During my road trip on a scorching hot day, the car's air conditioning suddenly stopped cooling, making the interior unbearably hot. It was likely due to a refrigerant leak or the radiator fins being clogged with dust, and the high temperatures exacerbated the system overload. Upon inspection, I found the fan wasn't spinning, causing poor heat dissipation in the condenser. After taking it to the repair shop, the mechanic refilled the refrigerant and cleaned the radiator fins, and now it's working fine. I recommend regularly cleaning the engine bay, especially servicing the AC before the hot season to prevent issues with the evaporator or compressor. If you notice weak cooling while driving, pull over immediately to ventilate the car and avoid heatstroke risks that could compromise safety.
When researching cars, I found that the AC not cooling in high temperatures is often due to heat dissipation issues. For example, poor condenser ventilation, restricted refrigerant flow, or a loose compressor belt causing insufficient power. High system pressure in hot conditions can easily trigger the protection mechanism, with stuck expansion valves or insufficient refrigerant being common causes. I once handled it myself by first checking if the fan was working, then inspecting for dust blockages before using pressure gauges – if high/low pressure was abnormal, I sent it for professional repair. I recommend avoiding max AC settings at high speeds to reduce load and extend lifespan.
