The cold air from your car’s air conditioning when driving on a sweltering summer day can be refreshing and relaxing. However, a malfunctioning car AC can blow hot air instead of cold air and spoil summer fun.
There are many reasons why a car’s air conditioner can blow hot air. If your car’s AC is not working as it should, it could be time to reach out to a reliable auto repair shop like Chloe’s Auto Repair and have the problem fixed.
In this guide, we will outline some of the reasons why a car’s AC can blow hot air.
Broken condenser
The condenser is responsible for cooling the hot compressed refrigerant moved from the compressor in order to bring it down to ambient temperature. If the condenser is blocked by dirt or debris, it could result in your car’s air conditioner blowing hot air from your dash. When any part of the condenser starts to malfunction, air won’t reach it, thereby preventing the refrigerant from cooling correctly.
Faulty compressor
The compressor is the heart of your car’s air conditioning system. It is responsible for pressuring the refrigerant fluid and circulating it through the system. Similar to other components of your car, the compressor can wear out over time. If the compressor is not working properly, the refrigerant fluid may not be able to reach the condenser for cooling, and this can cause the AC to blow hot air.
Compressor problems tend to happen in the winter months when the AC is off. You can prevent compressor failure in the winter months by turning on the AC a couple of times every month.
Refrigerant leak
Your car’s AC relies on refrigerant fluid to absorb heat and humidity from the passenger cabin as the fluid alternately expands and condenses. The refrigerant fluid may leak as a result of an old hose or a punctured evaporator. A leak in the AC system can cause the unit to blow hot air, since there isn’t sufficient refrigerant to cool things down. Locating and fixing a refrigerant leak in a car’s AC system is a complicated task that should be left to a reputable auto repair shop that provides AC system repair.
Damaged cooling fans
A car’s AC system comprises cooling fans whose function is to remove heat from the refrigerant fluid. Cooling fans can crack or malfunction, resulting in an inefficient AC system. Damaged cooling fans can only be replaced at a reliable auto repair shop.
Problems with the electrical system
A car’s AC system comprises a maze of wires, switches, and fuses that work together to deliver power to the A/C unit. If an electrical component in the AC system malfunctions, your AC could shut down and blow hot air.
Other reasons why a car AC system may blow hot air include:
- A stuck blend-air door Dirty filter A failing expansion valve
If your car AC is blowing hot air, you need to reach out to a dependable auto repair shop for AC system repair.
At Chloe’s Auto Repair, we have a team of technicians who are ready to help you with AC system repair and restore your car AC to good working order.
