How to fix weak ac in car

With all of today’s modern automotive conveniences, good heat and AC are still at the top of everyone’s lists. A car may have Bluetooth connectivity, GPS and other fancy functions but if it has low airflow air conditioning, we’re lost. As your car ages you may notice that it seems like the AC doesn’t blow as hard — the temperature still seems cold but the air just doesn’t blow like it used to. Here are a few things that could be blocking up your vents and causing a low airflow air conditioning problem.

Start From the Top

It may seem a bit silly but you have to start somewhere so you should always start your search at the end of the line. Make sure the vent controls on the dashboard are open and the vent is pointing outward. Depending on the style your vehicle uses, the vent control can also get hung up so sometimes closing and reopening them with the thumb wheel is all that’s needed.

Go With the Flow

Nine times out of 10, weak airflow is caused by a clogged up cabin air filter. Over time, this filter catches all dirt and debris, which can build up and slow or stop the flow of air. It’s typically located under the dash on the passenger side or inside the glove box and should be cleaned or replaced regularly.

Find the Fan

This one is a bit of a long shot but it could be the fan has become clogged up with debris. You’d be shocked how much junk can find its way into the duct system of a car. Everything from leaves to rodent nests seem to find their way down in to the fan area. Make sure it is clean with nothing to impede the flow of air.

Flip Flap

All vehicles give you the option to have your AC come out up top or on our feet using a series of blend doors that direct the air to the proper set of vents. Small motors on most modern cars control these doors but in some cases can also be moved using cables. Either way, if the cable or motor isn’t working properly, it won’t completely open and close the blend doors and cause an air leak and lower airflow.

Intake

The final issue that could be causing low airflow air conditioning could be related to the intake where air enters the system. There are two intakes, one for fresh air located at the base of the windshield and one for re-circulated air that can be found in the passenger side footwell. If either of these intakes is obstructed it can severely hamper the flow of air.

Keeping your AC flowing at max performance is important to keeping cool. If your vehicle’s climate control is suffering from low airflow air conditioning check out these areas for blockages.

Check out all the air conditioning system parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on low airflow air conditioning, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Image courtesy of Flickr.

Erich Reichert has been an editor and on-air personality in the radio control car hobby for 12 years. A certified car nut since birth, he has written for internationally published titles such as RC Car Action, RC Driver and Xtreme RC Cars, as well as Stuff Magazine, Road and Track and Super Street. He's covered everything from product reviews and tech articles to high-profile lifestyle pieces and celebrity interviews. Erich found his passion for writing after a successful career as an art director, working with brands such as Pepsico, NASCAR, MTV, Nintendo, WWE, Cannondale Bicycles and HBO. He's also a father, an avid hockey fan and an FIA race license holder who enjoys hiking, playing drums and movies.

Owing to the long, sweltering summer in the UAE, air-conditioners are in regular use in homes and cars. A car AC provides comfort and protects passengers and drivers from heatstroke. A car’s AC should be in proper working condition to keep the cabin cool for all the passengers. If the car AC isn’t cooling as much as it should or blows warm air instead of cold, then you need to get the air conditioner checked and it’s time to schedule an immediate maintenance appointment with a professional.

In many cases, the reason for a weak car air conditioner is a faulty AC compressor – but that’s not always the case. Let’s explore some other reasons for bad car AC. Moreover, you can save yourself from any inconvenience, if you timely take your car for factory maintenance and check-ups. Moreover, there are a few useful tips to get maximum cooling from your car’s air conditioner. Now let’s find out the causes of weak car AC. 

REASONS FOR WEAK CAR AIR CONDITIONER 

Poor air conditioning in a car could be due to various factors. Here is a list of factors that may affect the performance of a vehicle’s air conditioner: 

LOW CHARGING 

Beginning with the most basic, obvious reason for a weak car air conditioner, which is running on low charge. Needless to say, it is also usually the most common reason encountered because unlike other air conditioning systems, you have to recharge your car’s AC intermittently. This issue can be instantly resolved by recharging the refrigerant – either by hiring a professional or at a service centre nearby. 

FAULTY AC ACTUATOR 

A faulty AC actuator is noticed when the AC is blown in the car at the maximum and the air flaps open. As a result, if this mistake is ignored and persists for a long time, the hot air from the outside conveniently dilutes the cool airflow from the AC, rendering it ineffective. A faulty AC actuator is one of the common reasons why several car owners arrive at car servicing workshops with complaints of weak car AC. 

AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE 

As we mentioned earlier, a weak car air conditioner that doesn’t cool the air despite the airflow is mostly due to AC compressor failure. It powers the refrigerant under high pressure before the air reaches the condenser, and therefore, with a faulty compressor, the AC won’t work as effectively. In such cases, the compressor has to be repaired. However, it is worthwhile to know that other defects such as electrical faults in the circuit or a leaking refrigerant may also bring about the plight. If you know the signs of a failing car AC compressor then get a certified mechanic at the earliest to inspect issues.

CABIN FILTER DAMAGE 

Cabin filter damage ensues inadequate filtering of the debris due to its malfunctioning. Cabin filter has the important function of separating dust particles that enter from the front-end during driving. In circumstances where the filter has stopped working or is not properly functioning, the debris accumulation easily damages the motor fans and in turn, the car AC condenser. 

OVERHEATED ENGINE 

An overheated engine does more damage to the car’s AC than you can imagine. It renders the fan in the radiator ineffective that stops the condenser from cooling the air. In addition, it also impacts the maximum efficiency of the refrigerant to blow the hot air inside the car, thereby affecting the overall working of the car’s AC. 

As in other cases, you would want to consult a professional’s assistance to fix this issue at your earliest so that the servicing avoids any further imminent troubles of the car’s AC.  

DAMAGED MOTOR FANS 

The accumulation of dust, dirt and debris on the motor fans result in its damage, thereby obstructing the passage of cool air to the condenser. Damaged motor fans lead to blowing of warm air despite the air conditioning switched on for it has blocked the condenser to cool the airflow. 

CONDENSER DAMAGE 

A weak car air conditioner could be due to a damaged AC condenser. Dirt and debris from the road and outside might only block the condenser but result in its complete breakdown. This can be checked by inspecting the front of the car condenser blocked or damaged by the road debris. Therefore, it is better to get it repaired at the earliest. 

DAMAGED BELTS AND HOSES 

Your car’s air conditioning system is equipped with several hoses and belts that work together to operate the system. If there’s any sort of damage, leak, detachment, or blockage to these components, the impact will prevent proper airflow from the vents. 

DAMAGED BLOWER MOTOR OR RESISTOR 

Like the fans in a room, the blower motor is what pushes the air through the vents in the car. A blower resistor, similarly, works in unison with the blower motor to control the level of air production flowing through the vents, usually based on your preference. Any damage to these two critical components, either from wear and tear or due to age, immediately affects the AC’s functioning. Again, you may not be able to determine the damage by yourself so it’s best to get expert help. 

ELECTRIC ISSUES 

Different electrical issues may hamper the working of your car’s AC such as a short circuit in the electrical unit. Given the temperature of the UAE that rises well above 40 degrees and beyond, this can be a likely occurrence. At 45 degrees, the electrical wires can easily get hot enough to cause an internal short circuit. 

LEAKING AC REFRIGERANT 

A leaking AC refrigerant is another probable cause of malfunctioning the car’s AC. It is the job of the refrigerant to keep the cabin cool and maintain the cool airflow. Most often, the leakage may occur if your car has met an unexpected accident around the same time. The impact of force causes the AC hose to leak from the joints while the oily substance gathers around it. A visual inspection can also be enough to identify the damaged refrigerant needing repair. Remember, in maximum cases, a leaking refrigerant is the usual cause of a weak car air conditioner. 

BLOWN UP FUSE 

Blown up or burnt fuse in a car fuse box is another common reason affecting the car’s AC cooling. The easiest way to identify it is to get your car checked by a professional. A blown-up fuse not only stops the compressor from working but also spreads warm air inside the cabin. It may also affect the entire circuit installed inside the car, leaving the healthy switches malfunctioning in the circuit board. As a result, you might face a lot of trouble than just a bad AC on a hot summer day 

Therefore, if you are encountering similar faults when trying to access the AC, it is better that you head to a car service provider or a mechanic as soon as possible.

Other Reasons for Poor Air Conditioning in a Car

If your car’s AC is not in use for a long period of time, there could be several other factors that may affect its performance. Besides, when you are commuting with kids, they might switch on and off the car’s air conditioner, playfully. This may cause the condenser to break, as the engine could not bear such frequent pressure. 

Moreover, if the condenser is too old and has not been serviced regularly then there is a greater chance of the condenser breakdown. 

It is therefore recommended to check your car’s air conditioner before you plan for a long road trip in summer to avoid any inconvenience.

Now you know the reasons for bad car ac in your car, hence, when you encounter a problem you should head to the service centre or a professional technician. Besides, timely maintenance and service of AC may help avoid any sort of inconvenience.  In case the air conditioner is not repairable or any other auto part is damaged that may affect the car and AC’s performance,  get those replaced immediately.  You can even order auto accessories and parts in the UAE online or visit a store nearby. But, make sure the part you order fits with your car’s model.