Why is there no air coming out from the middle of the car air conditioner while air is coming out from the sides?
2 Answers
If there is no air coming out from the middle of the car air conditioner while air is coming out from the sides, it may be due to a damaged air direction adjustment switch. Below is an introduction to the relevant content: 1. Inspection: All car air conditioner vents have an air direction switch, which is connected to the air duct conversion mechanism. Check whether this switch is set to the middle air outlet position or if the connecting mechanism of the air duct device has become detached. 2. Ventilation outlet: If there are obstructions in the ventilation outlet, remove them to ensure normal ventilation. Observe whether the outdoor unit frame is loose and clean any foreign objects inside the outdoor ventilation mesh cover. Also, keep the ventilation outlet unobstructed.
I've been driving for over 20 years and encountered many AC issues. When air only comes from the sides but not the center vents, it's most likely due to a stuck flap mechanism in the central vent or a faulty blend door actuator. The flap acts like a small damper controlling airflow distribution. If its pivot gets jammed or the linkage comes off, the central air duct gets blocked. Try switching to defrost mode or up/down air sweep mode while listening for unusual motor sounds behind the dashboard. If experienced, you can remove the glove compartment to inspect the actuator linkage. Don't delay fixing this - driving in summer without center airflow makes you uncomfortably hot with poor visibility, especially dangerous on long trips. I recommend promptly visiting a repair shop to inspect the entire air distribution system, including blend door controllers and wiring.
