Why does the car air conditioning stop cooling after running for a while?
2 Answers
The reasons why the car air conditioning stops cooling after running for a while are: 1. Clogged receiver-drier; 2. Faulty component in the air conditioning system; 3. Excessive refrigerant in the car air conditioning system; 4. Excessive moisture in the dryer; 5. Excessive dust on the filter screen; 6. Aging or loose belt; 7. Blocked air ducts or dirty air conditioning pipes; 8. Compressor failure. Solutions for the car air conditioning stopping cooling after running for a while include: 1. Timely replacement of the air conditioning receiver-drier and replenishment of coolant; 2. Cleaning the filter screen; 3. Checking the pipelines and air conditioning pump in the car air conditioning system for damage; 4. Inspecting the compressor.
I've been repairing cars for over 20 years and often encounter situations where the AC stops cooling after running for a while. Insufficient refrigerant is a major issue—either it's leaking or depleted, requiring leak detection and recharge. When the cabin air filter gets clogged with dirt, airflow gets blocked just like having a stuffy nose. If the condenser is covered with bugs and leaves, it's like wrapping a blanket around a refrigerator, making heat dissipation impossible. Another common problem is a loose or broken compressor belt that prevents proper operation. Electrical issues are also frequent, such as malfunctioning temperature sensors sending wrong signals. My advice is to first rinse the radiator front, replace the air filter, and if that doesn't work, use pressure gauges to check refrigerant levels. Professional diagnosis is far better than random guesses—don't wait until complete failure when major repairs become costly.