Why doesn't the air conditioner blow hot air?
4 Answers
Because the air conditioner has an anti-cold air function, the wind blowing in when the air conditioner is first turned on will be cold. Wait a few minutes. The following are other reasons why the car air conditioner does not blow hot air: 1. Lack of refrigerant or a leak somewhere: Most cases of the air conditioner not cooling are due to a lack of refrigerant. You can first measure the air conditioner pressure. If both high and low pressures are low, it is basically a lack of refrigerant, and you just need to add it until the pressure is appropriate. 2. Excessive pressure in the air conditioning system: The car air conditioning system has its own pressure because the compressor is pressurizing it. When too much refrigerant is added or there is a blockage in the pipeline, the system pressure can become too high. At this point, the control system will disconnect the compressor's electromagnetic clutch, causing the compressor to stop. The solution is simple: after confirming that the pressure exceeds the standard, discharge some refrigerant to restore normal pressure. 3. Damaged evaporator temperature sensor or pressure switch: The evaporator, also called the evaporator box, is located in the air duct under the dashboard. The refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat here to produce low temperatures. When the airflow passes through the small channels in the evaporator, it is cooled. When it approaches the frost temperature, the compressor stops. If this sensor is damaged and frequently reports false alarms of approaching frost temperature, the compressor will frequently stop.
I reckon the lack of hot air from the AC is most likely a cooling system issue. My car had the same problem recently - it blew cold air right after starting and wouldn't warm up even after driving for ages. Turned out the coolant was critically low, practically empty in the engine bay. Clogged or leaking hoses are common too, especially in older vehicles. There's also this part called the thermostat - if it gets stuck in the open position, the engine won't reach proper operating temperature and you'll get no heat. The worst case is a clogged heater core, like what happened to my 8-year-old car - the mechanic said it was full of scale deposits. If the blower gets stuck only blowing through the cold air ducts, that's even worse - you'll be shivering all winter. I'd suggest first checking the coolant level and engine temperature gauge - these are things you can inspect yourself.
As a frequent visitor to auto repair shops, I've found that lack of warm air in the AC is often related to coolant circulation issues. After the engine warms up, the coolant in the heater core should transfer heat to the air, but this won't happen if there's insufficient coolant or a faulty thermostat. Older vehicles especially need caution against coolant hose leaks, as rubber hoses can crack over time. If the temperature control knob doesn't respond, the cable behind the control panel might be broken. Last time with my car, the blend door was stuck in the cold air position, blowing only cold air no matter the setting. Heater valve failures are also common, especially when seasons change and heating suddenly stops. Never attempt to dismantle the dashboard yourself - the wiring is too complex inside. It's more reliable to have a shop check coolant temperature and blend door actuators directly, avoiding unnecessary part replacements.
The AC blows cold air but not hot air? The core issue lies in the heat exchange system. The engine's heat needs to be transferred to the heater core via coolant, which is then blown out by the blower. Insufficient coolant is the most common cause—check the auxiliary tank's level. A clogged heater core is more troublesome, as scale buildup can block heat transfer. If the temperature control knob fails, it indicates a faulty blend door. A stuck thermostat prevents the coolant temperature from rising. Electrical issues, such as a broken heating resistor, can also cause no heat. Simple troubleshooting steps: Check if the coolant temperature gauge is normal → Inspect coolant level → Test the temperature control knob → Listen for abnormal blower noises. If all else fails, the dashboard may need to be dismantled to inspect the heater core.
