Air conditioning in your car working properly is an amazing thing. However, when it fails (which, of course, happens without fail on the hottest day of the year), it turns into a real mockery - warm, stale air begins to blow into the cabin. If your car's air conditioner is faulty, then you'd better not put off a visit to the service shop.
Automotive air conditioning systems have a rather complicated design, which predetermines the complexity of their repair without the necessary equipment and special knowledge. In addition, the refrigerant used in the system is subject to increased environmental requirements. We have identified the 3 most common air conditioning system malfunctions so that you have an idea of the reasons for its failure.
1.
A refrigerant leak is a unique phenomenon in itself, because when the pressure drops, it instantly turns into a gas. Closed air conditioning systems in cars are reliably sealed and do not require refueling. If there is not enough refrigerant in the system, it can be concluded that there is a leak that needs to be repaired.
Leaks from the air conditioning system do not lead to the formation of puddles under the bottom of the car, as happens with antifreeze. And only a professional mechanic is able to find almost imperceptible signs of leakage, such as oil deposits on tube connections. Refrigerant leakage can also occur in the compressor, condenser and/or evaporator, that is, in almost all elements of the system. To detect them, as well as refueling, special equipment is used, including those using ultraviolet radiation, which allows you to diagnose and service your car with high quality.
2. Air conditioner compressor wear auto.
The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. Its function is to circulate the refrigerant to effectively remove heat from the passenger compartment. Like many other automotive parts, the A/C compressor wears out over time. Due to the complexity of the design, the compressor may fail if contaminants enter it or if other elements of the system break down.
How to prolong the life of your air conditioner compressor.
There are several ways to extend the life of an air conditioner compressor. First of all, at least once a month, turn on the compressor for about 10 minutes (even in the cold season), regardless of the ambient temperature. This is a very simple operation, since in most modern cars it is turned on together with the heater. Another way is the constant diagnosis of the air conditioning system, which should be carried out by professionals.
3. Air conditioning electrical system malfunction.
The air conditioning system includes many electrical wires, fuses, switches and pressure regulators, the coordinated work of which ensures the safe and efficient operation of the air conditioner. In case of failure of any of these elements due to wear or defect, automatic shutdown of the entire system is provided for safety reasons. Without special equipment and, more importantly, the necessary knowledge and experience, diagnosing these problems is very difficult.
Your air conditioner is blowing warm air because something is turning off the cooling mechanism while the fan is running. Causes include simple things like thermostat settings and poor airflow, but there can also be issues that can cause big problems like electrical problems and refrigerant leaks.
We'll start with simple problems you can fix, and when you need the skills of a professional to diagnose and fix a bigger problem.
1. Problems with the thermostat
If you're worried about your home or your air conditioner blowing warm air, the first thing to check is the thermostat. It's a fact: they're faked, kids accidentally hit it with a flying object, or a colleague turns it off because it's too cold.
Make sure the thermostat is set to COOL and the fan is set to AUTO. And, of course, the set temperature is lower than the actual air temperature.
2.Dirty filter
Reduced airflow is one of the most common problems that can prevent your air conditioner from cooling. Oddly enough, your air conditioner really needs warm airflow over the coils to function properly. The air conditioner filter is designed to remove dust and contaminants from the air passing through the equipment. However, an air filter clogged with dust and debris can completely block air from entering the system. When this happens, the coils are unable to remove the heat. Therefore, your system's fan simply blows back into your space.
If you haven't had your system for some time and your AC is blowing warm air, the next step is to check the air filter and change it if necessary.
3.Ventilation holes closed or blocked
Here's another airflow issue that can cause warm air to blow out of the air conditioner. Is it possible that the ventilation grilles were closed in winter and never opened? Or (this is common in offices!), do you have furniture or other obstacles blocking them?
Make sure all registers and returns are open and allow air to flow freely.
4.Disconnected or leaking channels
It's also possible that you have an airflow problem that you can't see... in your ducts. If the duct has holes, cracks, or is completely disconnected, air may not be able to reach the device. Or the cooled supply air can be wasted in your walls, in your attic, or downstairs, and the air conditioner blows out warm air as a result.
If the channels are available, you can take a look at them. It is not uncommon for damage to occur during construction projects, or from infestation by birds or rodents. On a second glance... this could be an area where you'd be better off getting professional help to check the condition of your ductwork.
5.Power loss for outdoor unit
Many air conditioning systems have an internal evaporator/air cleaner and an external condensing unit. If the air cleaner is working properly, the fan is still blowing air into your space. But without the operation of the condenser unit, there will be no cooling; therefore, your air conditioner is blowing warm air.
This scenario can happen when your capacitor bank loses power, often due to a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to diagnose electrical problems yourself unless you are a qualified electrician or HVAC technician. However, there is one thing you can check: your kill switch. It may have been accidentally turned off when the power to the condensing unit was turned off, and this could also blow out warm air.
6. Dirty condenser coils
One of the important functions of your condensing unit is to release heat to the outside of your room. The capacitor coil is responsible for this work. Because it is exposed to the elements, it can be loaded with dirt and dust, not to mention leaves and debris. Eventually this prevents the coils from working and your system can't cool efficiently, so the air conditioner blows warm air.
7.Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant (freon) is the substance that flows through your air conditioning system and causes it to cool. This is a closed loop so you don't need to add refrigerant if there is a leak in your refrigerant line or coil. When this happens, your system will lose charge of refrigerant and cooling capacity. Depending on the size of the leak, the loss of cooling may be slow or immediate, but your air conditioner will end up blowing warm air.
Young drivers may already be unaware of how it is to drive in a hot summer car without air conditioning. Previously, the cooler in the car was the subject of chic, and today it is even included in the basic configuration of many inexpensive models. But any breakdown of the air conditioner, and in terms of comfort, we roll back 20-30 years ago. Like other components of the car, the air conditioner, according to the law of meanness, fails exactly when it is needed most - in the very heat. We found five reasons why the air conditioner blows warm air into the cabin.
1. Not enough refrigerant
This is the undoubted leader in the number of problems with air conditioning. Poor cooling or not working at all? First of all, you need check freon level. Alas, it will not be possible to do this on your own, without special equipment, however, having sensed the demand for such services, car air conditioner maintenance workshops began to open everywhere. Yes, there are workshops, sometimes a compact filling device is bought and services are provided on roadsides and parking lots. This is us to the fact that it is not difficult to find a place to check and refill freon. The only exception is very old cars that are designed for R12 freon, a workshop that works with it is not easy to find today, but equipment for R134 is everywhere, you can check the level and refuel without problems. Such a service costs 1000-2000 rubles.
Another question is where the old refrigerant disappeared. If the last time the air conditioner had to be filled more than two years ago, then most likely you should not look for any additional reasons. This is either natural evaporation, or such a microscopic leak that no one will ever find it. Another thing is if there is not enough refueling even for a year, then there is definitely a “hole” somewhere in the system. This is determined at the service, freon is poured into the system with additives that glow in the ultraviolet. Then you just need to look at the engine compartment with a special “lantern” in order to understand where the “siphonite” comes from, and then, according to the diagnostic results, either brew (argon welding is needed) or change the tubes.
2. Weak condenser cooling
Anyone who, at least in general terms, represents the operation of an air conditioner (and not only a car, the principle of operation of all cooling devices is the same), understands that there will be no coolness in the cabin without freon cooling. In a car, cooling takes place in a condenser, which is called a radiator in slang. It is located in front of the main radiator and is the first to meet the flow of incoming air, which helps the standard fan cool the freon.
There are two reasons why cooling will be insufficient. Either some problems with the fan, or the condenser is clogged. As with any electrical device, there are many possible problems with the fan. This is the failure of the motor, and problems with wiring, and insufficient voltage, and the absence of a "mass", and a blown fuse - in general, the diagnostician has a place to turn around. True, the fan itself easily detects itself. When the air conditioning compressor starts, the fan must turn on at the so-called first speed. If this does not happen, then you can not look further until the fan is running, the air conditioning system is useless. And then either go to an auto electrician, or arm ourselves with a tester and start calling everything to determine the cause. Please note that it is the first speed that is needed, the fan can, for example, turn on at the second speed, but this will not help without constant operation at the first speed.
With a clogged condenser on the one hand it is easier, but not on the other. It’s easier in the sense that you don’t need to diagnose anything, you just need to take it and mechanically clean it. The difficulty is that the layout of many cars is such that for this procedure you will have to disassemble half of the “front end”, at least remove the bumper - just stick the Karcher hose and blow it out, moreover, you can damage the honeycomb. But, in any case, the problem of a clogged condenser can be solved independently and without specialized equipment.
3. Compressor failure
If checking the level and cooling of freon did not give anything, then it's up to heavy artillery - reasons that are more difficult and expensive to fix. First on this list - compressor failure. It often happens that trouble does not come alone, compressors just fail due to a lack of refrigerant or its poor cooling, because they also do not work in normal mode and receive little lubrication (grease is added to freon, little freon - lack of lubrication) . Compressor repair is a thankless task, this is a rather complicated device, and you need both skill and spare parts. If the compressor is out of order, then it makes sense to consider buying a used copy for disassembly. The compressors of most cars have a decent resource, so even a hand-bought copy can last a long time, although in any case it’s a pig in a poke that can only be checked by installing it on a car, so we don’t agitate anyone for this solution to the problem.
In addition to the compressor itself problems may be with the electric clutch and pulley. The clutch has electrical and mechanical damage, and repairs are usually difficult and expensive, the clutch is rarely repaired. In pulleys, the weak point is the bearing, which can fail at any time. The saddest thing is if it blocks, then the drive belt almost inevitably breaks and the car owner gets a bunch of additional problems, but the creak and rattle that accompanies, for example, water ingress, is also a very unpleasant thing. Just the bearing in the pulley on many cars can be changed without problems, and even on your own, you only need pullers and a press. And you also need to be careful, if during the pressing and pressing in the pulley is slightly damaged or bent, then such a compressor will no longer work.
4. Damaged wiring
Violation of electrical circuits - a breakdown is commonplace, but very nasty, and most importantly, no one is safe from it. There are a lot of electrical components in the air conditioning system, each has wiring, plus control pressure sensors, without their correct readings, don’t expect coolness in the cabin either. The traditional diagnostic problem of electrical breakdowns is a huge number of potential diagnostic sites. As they say, call and call. Fortunately, according to reviews of air-conditioning mechanics, electrical problems do not occur so often, so it is necessary to revise half of the wires in the car only in case of great need. But this can also happen, and then the repair can be very unpredictable in terms of timing and duration.
5. Dampers and stove controls
Formally, this reason does not apply to the air conditioning system, but it fully fits the conditions that we put in the heading - warm air can blow from the air conditioner, provided that it is fully operational. Even in a simple, manual car stove, various flows are mixed by blocking some air channels and opening others. In climate control systems, where everything works with the help of servos, and even under the control of this electronic “brain”, this “maze” can be very complex. And violations in the system lead to unpredictable consequences.
In terms of detecting and correcting problems, electronic systems turn out to be more convenient, primarily because any, even the most ancient climate control, has verification and self-diagnosis systems. If the climate unit is working, then with a high degree of probability it will be able to tell which circuit is broken and where to look for the jammed damper. True, the repair and replacement of the unit itself can cost a pretty penny.
With mechanical air conditioners, you will have to remove the dashboard, disassemble the stove and look for a torn cable or a jammed damper on your own. This procedure is almost always more time consuming. True, you don’t need great skills for such work - it’s enough to read on the Internet how to remove the dashboard and disassemble the stove on a specific car model, put on tools and find the problem. It only takes time.
Dirty damper and gear drive. Photo — drive2
Repair of the air conditioning system is better not to postpone until later. Every day in the heat is a blow to comfort, and the later you solve the problem of air at the wrong temperature from the nozzles, the longer you will have to suffer. By winter, it makes no sense to repair the air conditioner, if everything has not been done before the end of the season, it is better to start a new circle in the spring.
As for the possible causes and repair technologies, everything is the same as with other elements of the car. We consider the reasons for popularity from frequent to rare, exclude options and by brute force we come to the true culprit of the breakdown. Repair or replace part? Do it yourself or go to the service? Alas, it will not be possible to answer these questions unambiguously for all drivers - the input data is too different. But understanding the problem and self-diagnosing a breakdown is already half the battle on the way to returning coolness to the cabin, even if you then contact the service with a problem.
Air conditioning in a car is an option that many take for granted. In the summer in the heat, it is indispensable for ensuring comfort in the cabin. However, regardless of the brand of the car, the quality and prestige of the brand, air conditioning systems fail from time to time. And this is where the question of repair arises. There are three main causes of failure: technological, external and operational.
Types of faults
Technological breakdowns depend primarily on the quality of materials and workmanship, and may include engineering errors. This kind of damage is almost impossible to influence, as this is a manufacturer's error. The main breakdowns include violation of the tightness of the system, jamming of the compressor, refrigerant leakage and many others.
External problems include exposure to an aggressive environment. The most common reason is pollution. To prevent damage of this kind, you must follow the rules of operation. Such problems are explained by the violation of the rules for the use and maintenance of the air conditioner, as well as its natural wear and tear.
Hot air from air conditioner
The most obvious sign of a problem that a driver can notice is warm air coming in instead of cool air. Most likely, the reasons may be the failure of the condenser, the failure of the fans or the lack of refrigerant. What to do if the car air conditioner blows warm air?
First you need to check the performance of the condenser, in the auto-conditioning system it is designed to cool the air. The condenser is located in front of the machine, so over time various foreign objects can accumulate there, for example, bags, candy wrappers and leaves. Just by inspecting this part of the car, and removing excess debris, it is often possible to restore the previous operation of the air conditioner.
Sometimes the capacitor is damaged by road gravel and other hard objects. In this case, most likely, it will need to be replaced. But, fortunately, it is easy to do it yourself and it is not necessary to go to a car service, since the capacitor is attached with several bolts in front of the car.
And the condenser needs to be flushed periodically. During operation, a lot of dust accumulates in it, which also subsequently worsens its performance. For service maintenance of the air conditioner, you can use the services of the company "Horizont". There, using special equipment, everything will be done quickly and efficiently.
The air conditioner does not cool the air
Another reason why the car air conditioner does not cool the air is the lack of refrigerant. To fix this problem, you need to check the amount of freon and, if necessary, fill it to the required level. With the constant operation of the air conditioner, approximately ten percent of the refrigerant leaks out in a year. Therefore, refueling the system should be regular. But first of all, you need to check if the system is tight and if there is a leak in it. If there is, it must be eliminated by replacing all hoses and fittings (tips) with new ones.
The air conditioner is idling
If, after checking the condenser and freon level, the car air conditioner works, but does not cool, most likely the fan is the problem. The auto-conditioning system works due to the uninterrupted blowing of the condenser. But, like any other part, over time, the fan fails. Faults can be detected by a simple visual inspection.
There are many problems, and not all of them can be diagnosed and fixed on your own. Therefore, experts recommend regularly undergoing preventive examinations in a specialized center, for example, in one such as Gorizont LLC. There, highly qualified personnel will check the level of freon and oil, carry out a complete cleaning of the system, including the condenser, and if a fan malfunction is detected, they will carry out a quality repair of the unit.
The main purpose of an air conditioner is to cool the air, but there are times when air conditioner blows hot air. There are several reasons why the air conditioner may blow warm or hot air.
1. Wrong operating mode selected
The first reason is the simplest. The air conditioner mode switch is in the wrong position. Normally, warm air from the air conditioner comes out in heating mode, which is indicated by the HEAT icon on the remote control. Switch the air conditioner to COOL mode. It happens that the temperature set on the remote control is too high in relation to the room temperature. In this case, set a lower comfort temperature on the controller.
2. The air conditioner requires refueling with freon
The second reason is that the compressor (condenser) of the air conditioner is not working properly, or, more often, freon has “left” the system. Freon is the gas that fills the air conditioning system. Through microcracks or in case of defects in the system, freon tends to evaporate and when the pressure of freon in the system drops, the air cannot cool to the desired temperature and, as a result, at the outlet air conditioner blows warm air. It is recommended to periodically, about 1 time in 2-3 years, refuel the air conditioner with freon. This event can be combined with air conditioning cleaning and order air conditioning service.
3. Low voltage in the mains
The third reason is that the mains voltage is too low, which does not allow the air conditioning compressor to start. This usually applies to those houses where problems with electricity are traced with a certain frequency. The problem may also lie in defects in the inter-unit wiring that connects the outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner.
4. Service required
The fourth reason may be the contamination of the heat exchanger and air filter in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. If you do not regularly clean the filters, then in just one and a half to two months the layer of dust that forms reduces the efficiency of the air conditioner by 2-2.5 times. As a result, the cooling capacity of the air conditioner is noticeably reduced, and freon enters the compressor not in a gaseous state, as expected, but already in a liquid state, which gradually leads to a breakdown of the compressor.
It is better to entrust the solution of such problems to the specialists of the service center for servicing air conditioners, who will qualitatively carry out the necessary diagnostics and eliminate the identified defects in the operation of the air conditioner, and figure out why air conditioner blows warm or air conditioner stopped blowing.
Air conditioner blowing in winter
In winter, the air conditioner blows cold air. As you know, the drain from the indoor unit is drained through the pipe. If the drainage is taken outside, then it is quite possible that sometimes, with certain wind directions, you may feel that blowing air conditioner in winter even though the air conditioner is off. This is not a malfunction.
The air conditioner blows weakly. Air conditioner blowing bad
There are situations that air conditioner blowing bad. In this case, we can recommend that you service the air conditioner by contacting a specialized company. Most likely, the filters are clogged and the air flow has decreased, so the air conditioner blows weakly or at all air conditioner stopped blowing.
