Jumping into your car after a sunny spring day can be an unwelcome surprise. The windows and cabin of your vehicle act a lot like a greenhouse when it’s left in direct sunlight. The sun’s energy can enter through your windows or be absorbed by the metal roof but has no way to escape. This heat is trapped and can cause the interior of your vehicle to get extremely hot on sunny days. You can help mitigate this effect by tinting your windows, choosing a light color paint or using a windshield sunshade but even these are not solutions, they just slightly lessen the burn marks on the back of your legs from your hot leather seats.
When you’ve paid a premium for air conditioning in your car you’re ready to be comfortable when you hop in. Of course, it takes a few seconds for the air to get cool, but what if you’ve waited a minute or so and you’ve still got your car air conditioner blowing hot air in your face? Before you zip down to the dealership and pay for a vehicle inspection to figure out why your car’s air conditioner is not blowing cold air, try checking a few common easy to fix problems listed below.
“Why is my AC blowing hot air?” Check These Common Causes:
- Blocked condenser
- Broken cooling fans
- Broken condenser
- Low refrigerant due to a leak
- Electrical faults
The condenser in your air condition system looks a lot like a radiator and is mounted at the front of your vehicle. It is used to cool the hot compressed refrigerant back to ambient temperature as it comes from your compressor and uses the air your car is traveling through to do that. If this isn’t accomplished, the refrigerant will still be hot when it travels through the expansion valve. If this is the case the hot refrigerant will only be cooled back down to ambient temperature so your AC won’t work. Since the condenser is at the front of your vehicle, it has the opportunity to get clogged by all kinds of road debris from leaves to plastic bags or anything else you might drive into. A quick visual inspection of the condenser through your grill can help you tell if it’s blocked.
Like having a blocked condenser, having broken cooling fans can cause a lack of cooling at your condenser and could cause your car AC blowing hot air. The fans could actually be broken, like a burnt out motor, bad mount a chipped fan blade, or they could simply have an electrical problem like a blown fuse or burnt out relay.
Since your condenser is at the front of your vehicle it is also subject to less kind road debris like rocks, sticks or other hard objects that may puncture it. If the puncture is large and easy to see, replacement is likely your best bet. If you cannot see the puncture, consider adding UV dye to your air conditioning system to identify the puncture point, or simply add Red Angel Air Conditioning Stop Leak to your air conditioning system to quickly and permanently seal the leak.
Similarly, you may have low refrigerant due to other causes like loose connections, old hoses or the simple escape of refrigerant over time. These small leaks can cause your air conditioning system to stop blowing cold air. Before you recharge your air conditioning system, add Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to ensure your system is properly sealed and will hold your new refrigerant.
Lastly, you could have an electrical problem with your system. Like broken condenser fans and electrical fault can cause a normally working system to stop working simply due to a bad connection or faulty sensor. Electrical problems can include a faulty signal from your ventilation system caused by a broken wire or bad module, bad sensors tripping off your system or even a sensor in your vehicle’s motor that is causing the system to shut off inadvertently. For more information on tracking down electrical issues like this, read our article on diagnosing electrical problems.
A simple visual inspection and a can of Red Angel A/C Stop Leak is all you need to solve many of the common easy to fix problems with your air conditioning system! Stop by one of our partnering auto parts stores today to pick up a can of Red Angel A/C Stop Leak & Conditioner today!
- AutoZone
- Advance Auto Parts
- Bennett Auto Supply
- CarQuest Auto Parts
- NAPA Auto Parts
- O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Pep Boys
- Fast Track
- Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
- S&E Quick Lube Distributor
- DYK Automotive
- Fisher Auto Parts stores
- Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
- Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
- Salvo Auto Parts
- Advantage Auto Stores
- Genuine Auto Parts stores
- Bond Auto Parts stores
- Tidewater Fleet Supply
- Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
- Any Part Auto Parts
- Consumer Auto Parts
Pictures Provided By:
car_ac_blowing_hot_air.jpg – By dnberty – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
I have a 97 honda civic and my ac band busted and my ac stopped blowing cold air. I changed the band that busted ( the one that goes around ac compressor ) and it still doesn’t blow cold air. I tried to put some freon in but that didn’t work it still blows hot . The band is running on all pulleys good, what can be the problem???
Thanks for your question about your Honda Civic. We’re sorry to hear your air conditioner isn’t working properly, but great job on getting the belt changed! It sounds like when the original belt broke it may caused some more problems. It is possible that when the belt broke, it damaged the wiring or one of the lines going to the AC compressor. You can start by checking to see if the compressor is engaging by having a friend turn the air conditioning on full while you are watching the engine run. When they push the AC button, the center of the AC compressor pulley should start to turn along with the pulley. If that doesn’t happen your compressor may not be receiving the electrical signal to engage due to broken wires, or it may not be engaging because of a low pressure caused by very low refrigerant levels if a line was knocked off or broken when the belt broke. If the center of the compressor is turning when the AC button is pushed you will need a set of AC gauges to measure the pressures across the compressor to determine if it is working properly. You can start by checking to make sure all the wires are connected, but after that you may need a mechanic or AC gauges to make a further diagnosis.
My compressor turns on and off like every 3 to 5 seconds when the car is running with the air condition on. Air condition is blowing hot air now. Does that mean it needs to be replaced.
Tina,
Depending on what kind of car you have it is possible that your compressor is ok and that is the standard cycle time. It does sound a little bit short for most vehicles so it could be an indication that you have a clog somewhere in your system so it reaches a high pressure very quickly and shuts the compressor off. To find a clog, you will need to measure the pressures at each component to determine where the clog is, then replace that component.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
It is very possible that you simply could just be low on freon also. I’ve been working on A/C for 20 yrs now but even if it is a little low. You need to have it evacuated and the slow leak found and fixed. Cause little leaks can sometimes turn into large problems down the road. Good luck stay cool.
my ac in my 2004 chevy silverado will blow cold for about an hour then go hot. is what you are talking about? compressor good and has freon….
Patrick-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Silverado. Based on your description, it is possible that you are experiencing a slow Freon leak. We recommend evacuating the system and using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (https://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to stop the loss of refrigerant and then topping the system off with the proper amount of R-134a.
Thank you!
-BDP
You probably just need freon.
My car ac runs cold for app a half hour. Then blows warm air. If I stop for 45min or so. It will blow cold again.. what can I do to repair.
Rick-
The first thing you should check is that the system has enough refrigerant, using an A/C gauge, as it may be leaking out. If the level is low or empty then you probably have a refrigerant leak within the A/C system. In that instance we recommend adding 1 can of Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) and then following it up with the proper amount of R-134a to fill the A/C system (you may check the specs in your owner’s manual to ensure the proper amount is added).
If it turns out that the refrigerant level is full then you may want to have an A/C specialist take a look at the vehicle for proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Rick, that’s what my Mazda Tribute does now.
Hello, I got my AC checked out due to blowing hot air and two auto repair shops told me the ac compressor was bad. I got a new ac compressor and got it replaced yesterday. It was blowing super cold air and then less than 24 hours later I get in the car and it’s blowing out warm air. Not as hot as before but definitely not super cold like it was yesterday when the shop replaced the ac compressor. They also put 2 cans of freon and compressor oil in there. Could this be a leak issue?
Shawn-
Based on your description, it does sound like you are experiencing a slight refrigerant leak. It’s possible the shop didn’t detect this because of the issue with the compressor, and the system seemingly working fine after replacement and topping off with refrigerant. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Refrigerant Stop Leak to help stop your leak and return the A/C to normal functionality.
Thank you!
-BDP
When my car is idling I cut the AC on my car stalls it’s like when the compressor kick on its then the compressor off but every time it’s it stall my motor and it’s starts blowing hot heat do u think my compressor bad
Jammie-
Based on your description, it does sound like you have the symptoms of a failing compressor. Especially, if this only happens when you are trying to put the A/C on and the compressor is trying to engage. A replacement compressor should solve the issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
Rick, did you ever figure out what is the problem? My car does the same.
my 2016 Hyundai Elantra cold air has stopped working all of a sudden now blows nothing but cold air. I’ve noticed the compressor is not disengaging. But is still blowing hot air. Do you think it’s a compressor issue or something else.
Brandon-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Elantra. Have you tried measuring the refrigerant? It’s possible that the compressor is having to work harder than usual due to low refrigerant levels. It would be difficult to say where the leak is coming from, however, you could add a uv dye to try to pinpoint the source of the leak.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Buick rendezvous and I charged my ac and now it’s blowing hot air worse than it was before. The Freon valve says the Freon it’ll filled in my car. I’m a female please help
Samantha-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Rendezvous. If the system is full with refrigerant, and there doesn’t seem to be any leaks, the problem could be with one or more of the components of the A/C system. If you can hear the compressor engaging and the fans kicking on, the problem could be with the condenser. Also, an electrical problem would keep the A/C from blowing cold air. We recommend bringing the vehicle to an A/C specialist for diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Every thing was checked added freon,still blows hot air,cannot find the problem.
Joe-
Was the refrigerant level relatively low? Based on your description, it sounds like you may be experiencing a refrigerant leak. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak & Conditioner http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/ to get the system back to normal operation. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-8663-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi there,
I would like to ask you a question about my car had a problem with the hot air blow. I don’t really know what wrong with it?
Ngoc-
Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
LEXFORD I have 2008 Nissan Sentra car the A/C not cooling the fan work but get warm air from a/c does stop leak would made it blow cool air.
Thank you
Lexfo-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Sentra. It’s possible you are low on refrigerant. Based on your description, we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (https://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/). After use, top the system off with refrigerant and the A/C should be back to blowing cool air.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2009 nissan rogue and the ac stop blowing cold after 40mph
What could be?
Margarita-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Rogue. Based on your description, it sounds like you my be experiencing a refrigerant leak. We recommend using Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to help stop the loss of refrigerant and get the system back to normal functionality.
Thank you!
-BDP
Unlike everybody else’s problems here. My vehicle blows great when accelerating. When I stop, slow down, or idle I loose my ac and it blows muggy warm air. While driving at constant speeds it goes back and forth between hot and cold. My ac holds pressure and I am not low on Freon. I think I might have a wire that cuts in and out. What do you guys think?
Isaac-
The most common explanation for why your car’s a/c will blow cold when accelerating, but warm when you stop or idle the vehicle, is that the system is low on refrigerant. Since you’ve mentioned that the system is not low on refrigerant, an electrical issue could be the cause. We’d recommend getting a set of gauges and measuring the PSI’s from the high side and low side. These PSI measurements should be able to point you in the right direction as to what’s causing the problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car was blowing hot air and I replaced a actuator sensor then it blowed cold air then a couple of days later i turned it on and it blew hot air again I tried to put free on and it didn’t work still blew hot air what could it be I need help please ????
Aubrianna,
Thanks for your question about your car blowing hot air. Our first recommendation would be to check the part that you just replaced to see if it has gone bad again. It’s possible you installed a bad part, or there is a deeper problem that is causing that part to go bad. Also, you mentioned adding refrigerant, if you had a low refrigerant level a leak could be your problem. If you had a low refrigerant level, add BlueDevil A/C Stop Leak to seal the leak and keep things cool.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2005 chevytrailblazer & i bypassed the compressor my pressure switch is good i also charged it n it still blows warm air. What could the problem be?
It’s the Actuator that’s all it is and it’s not expensive to get you an actuator and fix your vehicle you’ll get cold air right after you do that
My serpentine belt broke on my 2012 chrystler 200 3.6 lit and when it broke it ripped out I plug and was only blowing hot air.
Took to shop and they found problem. Wished I would have looked forst…lol
Hey I have a 12’ Chevy cruise … my Freon is full my compressor is working properly. I had a small pin hole leak in my condenser but I put stop leak and haven’t had any problems until now …. While I’m driving the ac blows cold but if I stop at a light or for a few minutes any where it begins to blow hot rather quickly … what could be causing this to happen
Tammy-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruise. Based on your description, it’s possible the system is just a bit low on refrigerant. This would be the best explanation for why the system would be blowing cold air while you drive and not when you come to a stop. We recommend measuring the refrigerant level with a gauge and making sure the system is topped off to the proper level. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2003Hyundia Santa Fe is blowing hot air put a gauge on it is showing in the red I was told to take it to a shop and let them look at it because it could have a leak not sure what to do
Michelle-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Santa Fe. Based on your description, we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak & Conditioner, found here on our website: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/ . Make sure the system is evacuated or partially depleted prior to adding the product. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a crown vic and I have heat on all settings
Mike-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Crown Victoria. Have you noticed a loss of refrigerant? Based on your description, we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to stop the loss of refrigerant and get the A/C back to blowing cold. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2002 bmw 530i blow hot an cold air when recharge refrigrent blows cold for 10 min then hot an cold again ac compressor works ac fan works blows of Gas frm compressor
Ravindra,
Thanks again for your question about your BMW 530i. Based on your description it sounds like your system has a refrigerant leak. If you add more refrigerant and the system works for 10 minutes then stops working it could be because the new refrigerant has leaked out. You can try using Red Angel AC Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) then adding more refrigerant to get the system circulating and allow the Red Angel to seal the leak.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
It’s your compressor
I have 2000 Silverado ,I replace compressor,drier,expansion valve my truck blows cold for 3-weeks,than it blows hot (what is the problem?)
James,
Thanks for your question about your Silverado. Assuming you didn’t develop a leak, it’s possible that when the new parts were installed some debris got into the system and now you’ve got a clog. You could prove that by measuring the high side pressure after the compressor and seeing if somewhere it spikes or drops before the expansion valve. Since its only been 3 weeks you may consider taking your truck back to the shop that did the work and seeing if they will check their work to see if something they did has caused the problem.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I hot wire my a/c compressor to make it to come on cause it was not turn . But I add freon in it and it is in the green still blow hot air what do I do
James,
Thanks for your question about your air conditioning. The problem could be that you’re hotwiring the compressor and there are other electronics in the system that aren’t turning on causing the system not work properly. Our suggestion would be to start by repairing the problem with the wire to the compressor, or fuse or whatever is causing that problem and see if that gets things back to normal.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Just got a new ac gluch relay changed.
Ted-
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have Corolla Toyota 2010 AC working sometime and sometime not
Ahmaf-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. Based on your description, the system may be low on refrigerant, which would indicate a leak. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Refrigerant Stop Leak to help stop the loss of refrigerant and return the A/C to normal functionality.
Thank you!
-BDP
On my 2011 Hyundai Elantra the AC only works sometimes when I start the car. When it is working and the engine is running it stays on and is consistently cold. When I turn the engine off and start the car again it will sometimes work and sometimes just blow warm air. When it is not cooling when I start the engine I can feel air blowing thru the vent, it pauses then drops down to the floor vent and the back up to the cabin vent with warm air.
Susan,
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai Elantra. Based on the random change of ventilation, it sounds like your problem might be with the ventilation system rather than the air conditioning system. If you’ve got automatic climate control, you might try resetting the module, or checking the wiring to the servo control motors that control the ventilation doors.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
My a/c has been blowing hot air for three day, i replaced the thermostate, and hoses and cleaned out the entire system. But still hot/room temp air is piuring out.
Cameron-
Based on your description, it sounds like you may be experiencing a refrigerant leak, causing the system to only blow hot air. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to help stop the loss of refrigerant and get the system back to normal functionality.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have Chevorlet cruz, and when i wash my car, after that car ac doesn’t work and blows hot air. Any specific reason behind that?
Saurav-
Thank you for asking about your Chevrolet Cruze. Based on your description, is sounds like you are getting low on refrigerant. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (https://gobdp.com/product/ac-refrigerant-stop-leak/) to help stop the loss of refrigerant and return the A/C to normal functionality. You will top the system off with refrigerant after running the vehicle for 15-20 minutes with the Red Angel in.
Thank you!
-BDP
My AC is not functioning well,when am in a traffic, my temperature goes up and car over heat,but when not in traffic it blows well.
Tolulope-
Is the vehicle overheating in traffic only when the A/C is on or does it overheat when sitting in traffic regardless? If only when the A/C is on, it could be that the a/c compressor is failing and putting an increased load on the engine, causing it to work harder and to overheat. Replacing the compressor should solve the issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2005 suburban stopped blowing cold air. Took it to my mechanic and he said I have burnt wires leading to control panel in the dash. Can this be bypassed to make the AC work again. The compressor and fan blower are ok and it’s full of freon .
Blend door actuator.
I have a 2005 Ford Crown Vic and my air has been working fine since I got the car Valentine’s day of this year (2014). Once I cut my heat on Saturday (09/13/2014) the air will not work. When I cut the air on, the heat blows and even when I turn everything off I still feel heat coming out of the vents… What could this be??
Their may be an electrical issue not allowing the AC & Heat switch back and forth. You will most likely need to have this diagnosed at a local dealership or trusted mechanic.
-BDP
i have a 2001 japanese model Corolla 1.3l
i changed my ac compressor 4 months ago.
today i understood that when in idle. it cools less. i opened the front. and checked the cold pipe.
wen i revd, it got colder. when i stopped reving, it got less cold.
im in saudia. but its not that hot nowadays.
is this sign of bad compressor? coz i jus got it new, havent used one full season. n its a DENSO Japenese compressor.
maybe its not getting enough power? need your guidance.
Junaid,
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Corolla. The symptoms you’re describing could be an indication of a bad compressor or simply a low refrigerant level. Unfortunately, to discover which is the problem, you will have to measure both the high and low side pressures in the system. If the low side pressure is too low, you most likely need more refrigerant. If your high side pressure isn’t high enough, or the pressure rise across the compressor is low at idle, it could indicate that your compressor is failing.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
It could be also that one little button with a car and a sideways “U” shaped arrow. That button means when its pushed you’re allowing air from outside come in through the vents
On a ford more than likely its the vacuum controlled dampner in the heater core housing.
Hello , my 2001 F-150 is blowing hot air , i try to add some ac but i get a lot of back pressure , from where i connect the ac refill canister could you give an idea why this happen,
Thank you for you time
Pedro-
Make sure the engine is running and the A/C is turned to maximum cooling when you add Freon. You should also make sure that you are connecting to the low-side service port and not the high-side.
-BDP
The air in my 2007 ford taurus doesnt blow cold air but sometimes it blows cool air then warm air I replaced the belt and the compressor works and I put two cans of freon in it what’s the problem???
Gamond-
It sounds like you have a refrigerant leak and not a problem with your compressor. You can try adding the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to stop any refrigerant leak you may have. After adding the product you will want to fully recharge the A/C system with the proper amount of Freon. The Red Angel can be seen and purchased here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/
-BDP
Yesterday my the AC in 2006 Hyundai Accent was working just fine. Then on my way home it started blowing out hot air. My question is what has made the AC to blow out hot air, the blower works just fine because it is blowing out hot air. Any suggestions?
Theresa,
Their is a good chance you have a leak in your system. You can try to recharge with freon but if it goes warm again, you’ll know…
Red Angel AC Stop leak may be a great solution for you.
-BDP
I am driving a very old Toyota Corolla. Its air conditioner was fine. But after a few months, it is not working. It’s only blowing warm air. It’s definitely not a fan problem because the air is not cool even though I was driving at a high speed. It’s not the compressor too becauase it spins when I turn on the AC. So what problem could it be?
Gabe-
It is possible that you have a leak in the A/C system and have lost most or all of your Freon. If that is the case your vehicle would be a great candidate for using our Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and then you would recharge the system behind it.
-BDP
I have a 1995 Saturn.sl2and we add freon yesterday and afterward it spilled out antifreeze and the Ac is still not cooling of it hot air wat can it be
Sara-
Thank you for asking about your Saturn SL2. Based on your description, it is difficult to say where the refrigerant would have been lost from. Unfortunately, it sounds like you may be losing it a little too quickly for the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to be affective. We recommend taking the vehicle to a A/C specialist for a diagnosis as to where the leak is coming from and a possible part replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
2001 Honda civic is not blowing any air. Have replaced the blower and the climate control panel. Still not solved. Where can I look next?
Tom,
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Civic. You’re on the right track and have replaced the most common elements that would have failed in your blower motor fails to operate in any speed, even high. There are a few other components that feed electricity to your car’s blower. There are two fuses that affect your blower motor. One in the engine bay fuse box and one in your under dash fuse box for the blower motor relay. The blower motor relay should also be in the under hood fuse box. If all these components check out good, you can check the blower motor resistor to make sure it’s good as well. The resistor is what allows the blower motor at different speeds so when it fails, usually only 1 or 2 fan speeds fail at a time. Hopefully one of those components have failed causing your fan not to run.
I have a 2008 Chrysler 300. The problem is that with out even turning the A/C on or air my car is blowing hot air. Why is this happening?
Adrian-
First of all, we are sorry to hear that your Chrysler is acting up. You need to check the blend door. Look under the dash while moving the temp from hot to cold, you should be able to see the blend door move. Some vehicles have had a problem with the foam getting caught in the door. If this happens the entire heater assembly has to be removed. Hope this helps!
Thanks,
-BDP
I have a 2000 dodge venture van. when I turn it on hot air is thrown but the ac is not even on. Can you help me please?
Yuri-
It sounds like you may need to replace the temperature actuator.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 97 Honda Passport. when we first got the car the freon was low so I added R-134a and it blew cold air for a good while, then it just stopped. So i added a freon leak detector and did not notice any leaks. but when I checked the gauge recently it was in the Alert section of the gauge. but when I turn on the AC now there is a noise coming from behind the glove box which im guessing is the blower motor, could that be a problem of the warm air? but the sound just happened recently so I am unsure
Christian,
Thanks for your question about your Honda Passport. It sounds like your problems are unrelated. If you are hearing noise from behind the dash, specifically near the glove box when you turn the fan on, it is most likely your blower motor as you said. Often times, the cabin air filter is right on top of the blower motor fan so the best thing to do would be to remove your cabin air filter and see if it is damaged or full of debris. Replacing the filter may help stop that sound.
It also sounds like you have a leak in your air condition system as your pressure was low even after adding R-134a. It is possible that your leak is somewhere inside the cabin of your Passport making it hard to find. You can always add BlueDevil Red Angel to your vehicle’s air conditioning system to seal the leak. BlueDevil Red Angel can be added the same way you added the R-134a and it will stay inert in your system until it reaches the leak point. There, it will form a chemical weld sealing your air conditioning system so you will stop loosing pressure. You can purchase BlueDevil Red Angel here: http://bit.ly/L3fS0V
I have a 2007 Mazda 3. The fan is working but when I turn on the AC there is not a difference in temperature (hot air) and when the car is stopped or idling the it makes a high pitch loud buzzing noise. However, the buzzing stops when I turn off the AC button. If I am driving with the AC on it doesn’t make the noise and there is an extremely subtle temperature drop coming from the fan, but as soon as I slow down or idle the buzzing starts again. What could the problem be? Thanks
Corey,
Thanks for your question about your 2007 Mazda 3. The answer depends on where the buzzing noise is coming from. If it is coming from under your dash or near the blower fan then our guess is you have a failing blend door motor that is making the noise. If the sound is from under the hood then our guess would be that the magnetic clutch on your AC compressor is failing. To check for this you can try popping your hood while your engine is idling and having a friend turn the AC on while you watch the compressor. If the noise is coming from the compressor or the center part of the compressor pulley doesn’ turn when the AC is switched on, then this could be your problem.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi, iam driving camry 2019, the AC light is on but the fan and compressor turn off and blow a hot air (when the car stop only) and this happen when temp out side rising and when car moving its turn on again, your advise please
By the way that happen after a few minutes of stopping not directly
Thank you
Mahmoud-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Camry. Does the compressor kick back on when you start moving again? Does it seem to be blowing cold air when you’re moving? If so, it may be indicating that you are low on refrigerant. Try recharging the system and filling the refrigerant up to the proper level.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have 2008 lincoln town car. When i turn on AC hot air blowing couple second then turning to cold air.
What is the problem
thank you.
Vedat-
It sounds like your compressor may not be kicking on properly. You may want to have it checked by an A/C specialist.
Thank You,
BDP
Hi,
I have a 2011 Ford Figo. the AC was working fine till last few days. Now, the situation is, I dont get cold air till I run for atleast 20 mins of time. After that 20, it cools well. I checked if its the case with blowing hot air as well. For hot air, the effect is immediate. But not for cold air. Would be glad, if you can help find the right issue.
Regards
Savith
Savith-
We recommend checking the Freon levels. It is possible that you are a little low on refrigerant.
-BDP
Savith,
Thanks for your question about your Ford Figo. There may be a few problems causing your air conditioning not to work. The first possibility is that you have a low refrigerant level and it’s causing your air conditioning to take a long time to cool. A low refrigerant level would be due to a leak in the system. To seal your leak, add Blue Devil Red Angel to your air conditioning system to seal the leak, then add refrigerant to restore your air conditioning system to proper operation. You can purchase BlueDevil Red Angel here: http://bit.ly/L3fS0V.
There are a few other problems that may be causing your air conditioner to malfunction. The first is the thermostat in your cabin. It will turn off the air conditioner if it thinks the cabin of the vehicle is below the temperature you set. If the thermostat is faulty it may be keeping your air conditioning from coming on. Also, if your AC fans are not coming on, it could be causing your air conditioning system to cool very slowly or not at all until your vehicle is driving at higher speeds. When you turn on your air conditioning, check to see that at least 1 fan is spinning behind your radiator.
i have hyundai ELANTRA it is blowing hot air…
i didnt switch in the ac, it is automaticaly blowing hot air.
what to do
suggest me
please
Arhaan,
Thanks for your question about your Elantra. It sounds like you have a problem with your HVAC system rather than your air conditioning system. There is a door in the air ducts in your car that directs the air to either blow over the heater core, or ac coils causing the air to be hot or cold. It sounds like that door is stuck directing the ventilation air to blow over the heater core causing the hot air to blow.
Depending what year Elantra you have, the door is most likely controlled by an electrical actuator. If this actuator has failed it may be causing the problem you’re having. Replacing that actuator can be difficult as it will be located behind your dashboard. It may be worth taking your car to a mechanic.
I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe that intermittently blows hot air when the A/C is on. I hear a clicking sound for a few minutes and then the hot air comes out. Just by accident, I found that if I pull over and turn the car off and then turn it back on, the A/C resumes. Any ideas of what is causing this problem?
Valerie-
First, the air conditioner may not be the problem. Some cars have a shut off feature that will disengage the a/c compressor if your engine is under duress. This typically happens if the engine is too hot, so be sure to check the engine temperature. If it’s hot in a situation of car air conditioner blowing hot air , then it’s an engine problem. If this is the case, you may want to visit your mechanic sooner than later.
If that is not the case then it may simply mean you have a freon/refrigerant leak. If it is, in fact, a leak in your a/c system then we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak.
-BDP
The clicking noise could indicate that it has a faulty temperature blend door, just my two cents
I have a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The a/c will be blowing cold then the cold feels like just the fan is blowing. If I turn it off then turn it back on, it blows cold again. It’s getting worse during the last few weeks. No problem with the actual fan blowing; just have to continue toggling between a/c and fan to make it blow cold. Any idea?
Vicki-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Sentra. Based on your description, you may be in the beginning stages of a refrigerant leak. If that is the case, we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Refrigerant Stop Leak. This would help stop the loss of refrigerant and return the A/C to blowing out continuous cold air.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have added the stop leak and new freeon, and aircon still not cold, I checked the compressor and it’s working fine, checked the freeon again and the it’s still shows full. What can be the issue? Please help, thanks in advance..
Jason-
If you have checked that the compressor is running and you notice frost or condensation on the high pressure line from the condenser to the evaporator, but still no cool air is blowing out of the ducts inside the car (and the blower is working), the fault is likely a BLEND AIR door that is stuck in the HEAT position, or possibly a badly clogged cabin air filter that is restricting flow. Another possibility would be a fault in the automatic climate control system such as a ad interior temperature sensor or control module.
Our recommendation would be to have the vehicle looked at by an A/C specialist.
-BDP
I have a 2000 Honda and it was not blowing any cold air. Long story short I changed the ac compressor and I added oil and 3 can of freon, all done by mechanic (all his suggestions). The car still does not blow cold air and it still has a problem that when the a/c is on the fan turns on for a couple seconds then turns off. Please help.
Jose-
Depending on what kind of car you have the system may actually be overfilled with refrigerant. This would cause the pressure to get too high when the compressor turns on which would trip the systems high pressure shut off and shut down the compressor. This would also stop your cooling fans. We would recommend having the system evacuated and the proper amount of refrigerant added by weight.
Thank You!
-BDP
I drive a ’96 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE. Lately, when I turn the a/c or heat (all knobs are in the off position) there is still either hot or cold air that blows through the vents (depending on if the lever is set for cold or hot). There is no air that blows through the vents at a stop, but when going down the road, there is ice cold air like the a/c blowing, or, if I move it to lever to heat (with all buttons still off) heat, the air blows through like the heat is on. It never did this before. Any idea what is going on?
Jen-
It sounds like there is an issue with your climate control system. We recommend taking the vehicle into a certified mechanic to have it further diagnosed.
Thank You for your question!
-BDP
I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander, the climate control is faulty but i also noticed when i refill the ac refrigerant, it leaks and does not stay beyond 3months.
I will like to know if the climate control is responsible for the leak or if they are two separate problems?
The probable problems areas to check for and also if there will be leaks even when the car is not on.
Kelvin-
The actual climate control would not be responsible for a refrigerant leak. It may act up due to the climate control being faulty but it should not be losing refrigerant from that alone. If you do, in fact, have a leak we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to help seal it.
As far as the climate control being fixed you may want to bring the Toyota into an A/C specialist.
Thank You!
-BDP
I am in Nigeria, do you have any distributors here to buy from? Kindly refer me.
Kelvin-
Yes, we do have distribution in Nigeria. They will be contacting you via email in the near future.
-BDP
I have a mazda6 isport 2008 my a.c is blowing out what looks like smoke and leaves a small puddle of water under my car on the passanger side What can it be??
Lisa-
If it is humid outside then you will sometimes see a thin vapor/smoke coming from the vents because of the cool air coming through the vents.
Seeing water drip from under the car when the A/C is running or has run is 100% normal. The dripping is coming from the evaporator; the evaporator has a drain tube that allows the condensation from the evaporator to drain away from the vehicle.
-BDP
I have a Toyota Corolla 2013 model, the compressor working no trasing of leakages including from the condenser, if gas is refiled it get cold normal but goes off after 2 days, motor is working too, what could be the cause, am from Nigeria, many thanks
Mr. Kadri-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. Based on your description, it seems as though you are experiencing a slight refrigerant leak somewhere throughout the system. We’d recommend using the Red Angel A/C Refrigerant Stop Leak to help stop the loss of refrigerant and return the A/C to normal functionality.
Thank you!
-BDP
2018 impala Lt AC not blowing cold air. Fans don’t turn on and clutch is not engaging
I have a 04 Tahoe that blows hot air sometimes. When I turn it on it works but out of nowhere it will blow hot. I can turn car off then on and it will fix temporarily
Joe-
This has been a very common problem in Chevy Tahoe’s. The most likely cause is that one or more of the temperature mode door actuator(s) have failed. This will often result in incorrect air delivery or temperature coming through the vents.
We hope this helps!
-BDP
How do fix the problem
Sal-
Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I’ve the Ford Fiesta ZXI 2007 model is not blowing cold air when I switch on the AC and getting noise in re circulation mode. what could be the cause and why the AC stopped suddenly and blowing hot air.
Srini-
It is possible that you are simply low on refrigerant/Freon. The fact that the compressor still kicks on is an indication that it is still functioning but may not have enough Freon in the system to blow cool air from the vents.
We recommend adding the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) and then recharging your A/C system with the proper amount of R-134a.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2006 cheverlot equinox when I turn the ac on you can hear the compressor kick on than turn right off,than it just blows out warm air. If it real cool outside the ac is somewhat cool but still not what an ac should feel like .most of the time the air is warm. I refilled the coolant in the car because the engine was running hot but it only made the air from the ac change slightly but it’s still warm. Could my compressor be going out or do I just need to add freon to my car?
Jessica-
If the Freon is low enough then the compressor will not always kick on. We recommend having the Freon level checked, if it is not low then you are probably going to need a new compressor. If it turns out it is low, then you probably have a refrigerant leak.
If it is a leak then we recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and a full recharge of R-134a behind it. This should stop the leak and prevent any future issues with your A/C.
-BDP
my car a/c is blowing just hot air, we checked the freeon it’s full. IS IT MY COMPRESSOR.
Mona-
If the compressor is still kicking on then most likely it does not need to be replaced. The first thing we recommend that you check is the condenser; it is possible that it is either clogged, dirty, or possibly needs to be replaced. The other possibility is a blocked or broken cooling fan.
Both of these issues are fairly easy to fix and will hopefully get your A/C back to blowing cool air.
Thank you!
-BDP
My hyundai accent 1.6 was start and I am sitting in the car and the ac is also works well but suddenly the blower flows hot air so what’s the problem
Norman-
There are quite a few things that can make your AC stop working all of the sudden but the most likely cause is actually an electrical issue. Your AC system has a few sensors in it that will shut things down if the pressures or temperatures get too high. It seems most likely that one of those sensors has malfunctioned and shut down your system. These can be difficult to diagnose so it may be worth taking your car to a mechanic for help.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 1998 Honda civic. I do not have a leak and I put freon and my ac is still blowing out warm, what is wrong with it?
LeRoy,
Thanks for your question about the AC in your Civic. If you are sure you do not have a leak and your AC is still blowing warm then you have a problem with your compressor. For info about your air conditioning and how your AC compressor works you can check out our article about it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/air-conditioning-work/.
There are two main reasons your compressor may fail. First, the electrical signal going to it telling it to turn on may not be getting to the compressor. This could be due to a blown fuse, a broken wire or loose connection. The other possibility is that the clutch on your AC compressor is worn out and no longer engaging the compressor. If you can prove your AC compressor is getting the 12V signal to turn on, and you are sure you do not have a freon leak then it is time to replace your AC compressor.
Thanks again for your question and please let us know if you have any other questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
I have a 2000 Chevy Impala with a 3.4 engine. My problems began about 3 months ago with the fan not coming on for positions 1 through 4 but came on for position 5. This is the list of things I have changed in order to get things back to normal. Initially I changed the blower motor resistor ( twice ), Blower motor did not come on at all after that. Then I changed the blower motor. That wasn’t it either. I changed the heat/AC control assembly switch. Still fan not coming on. Then I changed the connectors for the resistor and the fan motor and the connectors to the back of the heat/ac control assembly switch. The fan began to come on after that but only on position 5. This wasn’t so bad because at least I had ac working but only on position 5. Now when I turn the fan on to start the ac, all I get now is hot air. Now with the three components of the ac system replaced and I’m still in the same bind when I began this ordeal. When I push the ac button a light on the button would illuminate. Now the light stays off when I push the ac button. I’m completely lost now. Any advise would be great.
Rodney-
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Impala. It sounds like you are having a nightmare of an electrical issue. Since you’ve changed everything else, it sounds like there is a short in the wiring either from the wiring harness to the switch, or from the switch to the resistor. The only way to diagnose that problem would be to test continuity on all the wires between the resistor and the fan switch and check for proper voltage running into the switch.
For your air conditioning, since the light is not even coming on when you press the air conditioning button it sounds like that is a separate problem. There could be another electrical short between the AC button and the compressor, your compressor could be malfunctioning, or you could be low on refrigerant. To test the electrical continuity, find the one wire going to your AC compressor and test it for voltage when you turn the switch on. If you have 9-14 volts, then the next step is to try testing the pressures in the system to make sure you have enough refrigerant. If you find low pressure in your system it is an indication the refrigerant has leaked out and the system is keeping the compressor from coming on to protect it. First, add BlueDevil Red Angel AC Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to your system to seal the leak. Then add R-134a refrigerant until your system is at the proper pressure.
If you still don’t find a problem with the signal going to the AC compressor, or the refrigerant pressure, you likely have a faulty AC compressor or pressure switch in your system and it is best to have it looked at by a mechanic to help you find the problem.
-BDP
Hello BDP,
I have a 2009 Toyota corolla LE. ABout a week ago i realised my AC blows less cool air through the vents on my side(driver side). The vents on the passenger side seems more colder than mine. The compressor works fine,i suppose?
Could it be a blockage in the vents on the driver side? or a Blower problem?
Thanks
Gabby-
The most likely cause it the blend door actuator. Having the actuator replaced should solve this problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi, In the Toyota Corolla, is the Blend door actuator the same as the servo?
Yes, it is referred to as the blend door servo actuator.
-BDP
Hello BDP, My toyota Ac works well now. Servo was checked to be working well. Was told system was low on r134a due to leakage. Leakage has been restored now.
However when driving intermittently AC stops blowing cold air while driving, it starts only after i turn it off manually and turn it on again.
Could it be due to an overcharged system?
Gabby-
Yes, you may want to have a gauge put on it as the system can act up if it is overfilled.
-BDP
2005 Equinox.. driver side vents r blowing warm air while the passenger side is cold. We checked the actuator under the dash and it’s working properly . Got a Gage and checked the freon levels r good. Compressor is kicking on like it should. Any idea why the drivers side vents don’t blow cold?
Tonya-
We recommend having the actuator re-checked. When heat is only coming out of one side that is almost always the culprit. This is a fairly common problem with the Chevy Equinox.
Thank You!
-BDP
My car was low on freon so i went and put some in, I wasn’t paying attention and overloaded it and now the ac only blows out hot air instead of cold, what should i do?
Kevin-
You should have the vehicle taken to an A/C specialist right away. Overcharging the system can cause the compressor to be overworked and will put a large amount of pressure on all components which may eventually cause a component to give and start to leak out.
-BDP
I have taurus 2014,
the air condition when it on blows cold air in few second then hot air longer than cold air time. the freon full. I tried to open pressure switch sensor and return it bak again the blowing cold air become longer but with in minute return back ( cold air for few second then hot air is longer.
could be the switch not work, regulator of air or the compressor
Thanks
Bandar-
Thanks for your question about your 2014 Taurus! If your vehicle is still under warranty, the best thing to do would be to take it back to the dealership as this problem should be covered by your warranty.
The problem you are describing doesn’t sound like it has to do with your air conditioning system, but actually your ventilation system. Your ventilation system is what controls whether hot or cold air will blow from your vents. There is a small door that directs air either through your heater or your air conditioner that is controlled by a solenoid. It sounds like that solenoid or the wiring is faulty causing the door to change from AC to heat without your control. We recommend having a Ford dealership look at that problem as it is very specific to your car.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have Mazda 3 2008 and it start.cold for.a few minutes then turn hot for 20 minutes or more, the compressor is switching off….. And in the extremely hot day as today 42c it didn’t bring any cold air…. And I was melting
The freon is good
………….
Please help me with this. And thanks in advance
Ahmed-
Thanks for your question about your Mazda 3’s air conditioning. Your system has a high pressure safety feature that will shut off the compressor if the pressures get to high in your system. It sounds like that is what it happening to you. The warmer the day is, the higher the pressure will get. High pressure situations are usually caused by a system that is over filled with refrigerant or by clogs in the system. You can tell if your system is overfilled by using the pressure gauge on a can of refill refrigerant available at your local auto parts store. If the pressure is too high then your system is probably overfilled. You can check for a clog in your system with a set of AC gauges to measure both the low and high pressures in the system before and after each component. If you see a pressure spike followed by a drop anywhere but at the expansion valve then you’ve found your clog.
-BDP
In my Volvo s40 the air conditioner only blows hot air fist thing in the morning but after 5 minutes of driving it starts to work perfect. but if I just stay in the drive way with the engine on the air will only blow hot air. Its as if the compressor only work after the car is driving for a few minutes. can someone help?
Stuart-
Thanks for your question about your Volva S40. It sounds like the problem may be with your vehicle’s fans rather than the AC system. Your air conditioner uses the condenser in the front of your vehicle to cool down the compressed refrigerant in your air conditioning system before it can go through the expansion valve and cool your vehicle’s cabin. If no air is flowing over the condenser then the refrigerant won’t be cooled and your AC won’t work properly. While you are driving, air is being forced over the condenser by the motion of your car which makes your AC work properly. While you are parked or your car is idling, there should be an auxiliary cooling fan that turns on to create this air flow. Try checking to see if that fan turns on when you turn the air condition on. If it doesn’t, it may be a blown fuse, a bad fan relay, or a burnt out fan.
-BDP
My 2006 Volvo s40 air conditioner is also not working properly. It will blow cool air sometimes while driving and then all of a sudden start blowing hot air. I have taken it to a garage to have Freon put in it. It seems to work until I go on a longer trip. Can you advise me?
Patty-
Thanks for your question about the air conditioning in your Volvo. If you’ve had your Freon refilled, then you must have a leak in your system. We recommend using BlueDevil Red Angel AC Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to seal the leak first, then have your system refilled with the proper amount of refrigerant. If you are still experiencing problems after your leak is sealed and they continue to be intermittent, then it seems like you also have an electrical issue like a bad pressure or temperature sensor as well. These are hard to hunt down and also best to have a mechanic diagnose.
-BDP
Hello, seems I have same situation here in my Mitsubishi Pajero 2009. While running, the AC is blowing cool but if idle, after about 15mins., it start to blow hot air.I checked the condenser fan and it’s not turning. But everytime I switch off and on the engine and on the AC too,AC okay again and the fan is turning. Only after sometime at idle, the fan stop and looks like the compressor/engine tries to start turn the fan but it couldn’t.(I heard there’s like an engine sound that tries to start up the compressor but it’s stopping. Sorry couldn’t explain the sound better). Kindly what could be the problem. Fuse okay and Freon already filled. Thank.
Junnifer,
Thanks for your question about your Pajero. It does sound like the you’ve got a bad cooling fan. Even if it works for a while and then shuts off its sounds like the motor is on its way out so we would suggest replacing that fan and seeing if that solves your problem. There is a slight chance that the problem is the fan relay so you can try checking that the next time the fan shuts off.
I have 08 Honda accord. A/C blowing hot air. I had my system and freon level check at a local mechanic and was told that it’s an electrical issue. could it possibly be just a blown fuse or maybe worn out relay?
Mark-
The A/C system in your car consists of lots of wires that are complete with fuses, relays and switches that work together to provide proper operation. If something disrupts even one of these connections the A/C system will not function properly. In your case it sounds like either a loose wire, bad fuse, or another connection is not allowing the AC & Heat switch to move back and forth. Whether it is a broken wire, short in the system, or something else we recommend taking the Honda to a local dealership or trusted mechanic. Without the proper equipment it will be very difficult to isolate the problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
I drive a 2002 Jeep Liberty. I had the a/c compressor replaced. About a month later I had the radiator replaced. Since the radiator work was done the air does not blow cold. Could the replacement of the radiator have drained the Freon or should I be worried about another bigger problem?
Angie-
The replacement of the radiator really would not have any effect on the A/C system at all. It is possible that you have a refrigerant leak and coincidentally the Freon became low around the same time the radiator was replaced.
We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) and then following it up with Freon to recharge the system to its proper level.
Thank You!
-BDP
hello I have a 2000 mercury mountaineer when you turn on the ac the compressor makes a clicking noise I checked the clutch and it is spinning but still clicks checked and added fron still no ac and clicking noise.
John-
Thanks for your question about your Moutaineer. A low Freon level could be causing your problems so it might be worth having the pressures in your system checked. If you find low Freon, make sure you add BlueDevil A/C Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) to make sure you seal the leak and you don’t end up with a low refrigerant level again. If you find the high pressure side of your air condition system has low pressure then you may need a new compressor. The clicking may also be caused by a loose electrical connection to activate your compressor. The clicking may be the compressor turning on and off quickly. Check for loose wires on or around the compressor to see if that is the problem.
-BDP
I have a 2003 f250 . When I stop and put the truck in park, my ac works fine. When I actually start driving it goes completely hot. I am out of ideas as to why.
Jessie-
It sounds like you have a vacuum line leak somewhere in your HVAC system. The vacuum line may need to be replaced.
We recommend having it checked out by an A/C specialist or Ford dealer.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi my name is Andrew and I have a 2008 cadilac dts my air blows cold on driver side but warm on passenger side whatcould b the problem
Andrew-
The most likely cause it the blend door actuator. Having the actuator replaced should solve this problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a 2008 Honda Civic and one day my AC completely shut off, not blowing any air. I replaced the motor blower, which got the AC working again until it blew warm air at red lights. It would begin to blow cooler air at higher speeds but it would become warmer when I stopped. I recharged it and checked my AC clutch relay, which is fine. Refrigerant levels are good too. Also, another time I was driving I heard 2 noises as if pressure was being released (like a “pffffft pffffft”). Any idea what the problem is? Thank you ahead of time and I appreciate the help!
Erin,
Thanks for your question about your 2008 Civic! It sounds like you’ve checked all the right things to make sure your air conditioning system is working properly. One of the keys to your AC working is that air is blowing over the condenser in the front of your car to cool the hot, pressuriesed refrigerant. If the refrigerant doesn’t get cooled in the condenser, then when it goes through the expansion valve it won’t cool below ambient temperature causing your AC to blow warm. While you are driving, your car’s movement forces air through the condenser, but when you are stopped a fan is needed to pull air through the condenser. It sounds like your fan isn’t coming on which may be due to a bad fuse, a bad relay or bad electrical connection. The fuse and relay should be labeled in your fuse block in your engine bay so you can check those there.
2004 honda civic..hot air issues and tried freyon first, eventually got AC compressor last May and then it was working fine for summer. Tried AC today and its hot air again. easy fix or should I drive this car into a lake haha
Bryan-
Based on your comments it is very likely that you have a refrigerant leak. We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/) and then recharging your system with the proper amount of Freon.
Thank You!
-BDP
2000 mitsubishi galant ac blowing hot air and when i connect the frein to recharge it in the low pressure line it blow air out instead of sucking the freon
Adrian,
Thanks for your question about your Galant. It sounds like you just didn’t have a good connection on your can of refrigerant to your low-pressure port on your system. Make sure both of the connections are in good shape and not damaged or bent. If you’re sure everything is fine, then the pressures in your system are too high and it may be over filled. The only way to tell for sure would be to have your system completely evacuated and then refilled with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Hi Iam using hyundai elantra 2006 crdi from last week after summer started AC cooling is low when standing traffic and also its take time to cool and cooling is good in evening time only problem in traffic …wat will be the problem? ???
It is very possible that you have a refrigerant leak in your A/C system. We recommend adding the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and then having the A/C system fully recharged to the proper level. This should stop any leaks that you may have and get your refrigerant level back to the proper mark which will in turn get your A/C working as it should.
Thank You!
-BDP
I am driving a 99 ford Expedition, the problem I am having is that when it is cold outside my heater blow cold and when it is hot my air blows hot air, can you please help me figure out why my ac blows whatever temperature that is outside. My air is HOT!!!!
Felicia-
It sounds like you need to have the temperature blend door actuator replaced. It is actually fairly common for these to fail or malfunction in Ford Expeditions.
Thank You!
-BDP
hi iam having Hyundai elantra 2006 crdi model from last week ( after summer starts ) iam facing probelm with Cooling when iam staning in the traffic but its is k when moving…. what will the problem?
Srini-
There are a number of possibilities that can be causing your engine temperature to rise when sitting at an idle. Some of the most common causes are a bad fan clutch, or a clog somewhere in the cooling passages due to old antifreeze or other buildup in the system that can happen with age.
We recommend first having the cooling system flushed. This alone may alleviate the problem and get your Hyundai back to its normal working condition. If it does not then you may want to have the fan clutch looked at and possibly replaced.
Thank You!
-BDP
My Hyundai Sonata 2010 model car is having issues with the air conditioner blowing nice and cold in the morning and evening and then very hot air in the afternoon or when sitting idle in traffic. Please what could be the problem?
Precious-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Sonata. The problem you’ve described could be due to lack of refrigerant, a faulty high pressure hose or even a clogged condenser. It may be best to have the a/c system flushed and then refilled. If this doesn’t correct the issue, it may mean there is a leak.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Honda Fit and my A/C seems to have a mind of it’s own. It comes on when it feels like, but mainly when the outside temperature is not over 80 degrees. The compressor randomly kicks in when the A/C is on. I also noticed that only 1 fan is spinning when the temperature is hot. If it is the condenser fan, how do I test to see if it’s defective?
Ricky-
Thanks for your question about your 07 Honda Fit! The compressor in your vehicle will cycle on or off as need to keep pressures in the operating range in your air conditioning system. If the air is blowing cold in your car, then it sounds like everything is fine and the compressor cycling is normal.
As far as the fan goes, with the AC on and your car warm and idling, both fans should turn on intermittently to keep the coolant temperature in the operating range and your air conditioning functioning properly. If one fan isn’t working it is most likely due to a malfunctioning rely. You can try switching the two fan relays if they are the same size and seeing if the other fan now operates. If that is the case, replace the faulty relay and you should be back to normal.
-BDP
Hi there, I have toyota vitz 2001, few months back my car AC was working fine, but since last few month I got recharge AC gass, as its got discharge due to leakage problem, at least four time I got recharge AC gass but know use, its again discharge, it seems its compressor isn’t working properly or reversing the gass, my mechanic told me may its cooling coil problem, its seems not correct, please advice what is may be the problem,
thank you,
BR,
Hamdan-
Thanks for your question about your Toyota Vitz. If you are regularly having to charge your air conditioning system then you definitely have a leak. It is possible that your leak is coming from the cooling coil, also called the evaporator. Once your system loses too much refrigerant the pressure is too low for the AC compressor to work safely so you car wont let the compressor turn on to help protect it.
You can stop your system from leaking by adding BlueDevil Red Angel A/C Stop Leak available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/. Simply add Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to your air conditioning system through the low pressure port to seal the leak. Then recharge your system as usual!
-BDP
Hello, I have a 2002 ford explorer with rear a/c. I have taken my car to firestone 3 times already. They changed the compressor, the valve, the condenser, the drier, accumulator, the orifice and they flushed out the system. Could you help me in any way to see what’s possibly wrong? Thank you
Yadi-
Thanks for your question about your 2002 Explorer. It sounds like they’ve changed just about everything in your AC system and definitely the usual culprits of a broken system, so it seems like the air conditioning should be working fine. The two possibilities left are that a sensor in the system has gone bad telling the compressor to shut down. If a pressure or temperature sensor in the system is giving a false reading it could cause this problem. The other possibility is that the blend door in the rear ventilation system is broken. This is actually a relatively common problem on Explorers. There is a door in the vent system that directs the air over the heater or through the air conditioning cooling coils. If that door is stuck in the heating position the air will be cooled by the cooling coils then reheated making it appear as if the air conditioning is not functioning.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have an old system on a 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage. U stopped the leaks and it is holding Refrigerant. The problem is weird. I can check the refrigerant level and it will appear low. But when i Replace the shrader valve it almost blew my head off. So I know it has refrigerant in it. But I can put some in and the next morning it will be blowing hot. I put more it and it works but the same prob. the next morning. Am I overloading the syst?
John-
Based on the extreme amount of pressure in the system it sounds like you may have a faulty expansion valve. The expansion valve is what converts the high pressure liquid refrigerant back into a low pressure gas into the evaporator. The expansion valve also meters the amount of low pressure gas that enters the evaporator. We recommend having this looked at by an A/C professional.
Thank You!
-BDP
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, AC been working like a champ! 3 days started blowing mildly cold air but not how it would usually work. Please help thx!
Manu-
It is possible that your Hyundai has a refrigerant leak. We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and then recharging the A/C system to its proper level.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hello! I have a standard 2000 Chevy Impala. A few months ago I noticed that the fan was blowing only hot air. I tried the temperature control knob but it wasn’t working. My AC was only blowing hot air. And when I say hot I mean HOT! When I turned the fan knob to the off position the fan wasn’t blowing as loud but hot hair still came out. It got so hot in the car I had to roll the windows down in the middle of Winter! My hubby replace the single climate control panel and the heater blend door about three weeks ago and it worked just fine. Until a couple days ago. Once again I’m having the same problems. But now there’s an electric burning “ozone” smell. Can you help me?? Thank you so much!! God bless
TenaAnn-
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Impala! It sounds like your husband did a great job in fixing the problem. As you described the original problem it sounded like it was the blend door that was the problem. Usually problems that happen back to back like this are related, so it makes sense that the burning smell you are smelling is also due to the blend door. The blend door is controlled by an electric actuator so it is possible there is a short in that electrical system or something causing it to stick. This same problem may be what caused the original blend door fail in the first place.
Unfortunately electrical shorts are very tedious to track down. The easiest thing to do would be to remove the new blend door you installed and look for any sticking points or obstructions and to test the actuator without the door attached to make sure it moves freely and quickly.
-BDP
Hi, i am having hyundai Accent 2007, from few days i noticed that my car is giving ice cold air at the start after few miles of drive it start giving warm air, i noticed that ac clutch is engaged but still there is no cold air and even the ac pipes are warm but at the start they were chilled. What could be the problem i need some advice !!
John,
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai Accent! The problem could be coming from a few different places. First, your AC compressor may be starting to fail. If this is the case, then it is working at first, but as the pressure in the system rise to normal some refrigerant may be bypassing the old compressor causing the pressures to fall and warm air to blow. This may also be due to poor air flow over your AC coils. If the cabin filter in your car is clogged or dirty, the reduced air flow over the evaporator may be causing it to ice over reducing heat transfer and allowing warmer air to blow through the vents even if your AC system is working fine.
You may also have a clogged expansion valve. If the expansion valve, sometimes called the orifice, is clogged it may produce a pressure and temperature drop for a short time then as the system operates the clog will slow the flow of refrigerant causing the system to fail. Lastly, you may have a problem with the cooling fan that is supposed to draw air through the condenser to cool it. This fan is by your radiator fan and should come on when you turn on your air conditioning. If you suspect the fan is the problem, try reading our article about diagnosing electrical issues here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-ticking/.
If the fan isn’t the problem then the best way to diagnose the system would be to hook it up to a set of gauges to see what the system pressures do when the warm air starts to blow.
Thanks again!
-BlueDevil Pro
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and I just had my power steering pump replaced and now my A/C is blowing hot air! I checked all of the fuses, the motor turns on when I flip the A/C on, there is enough freeon and the hoses all cool fine. What else could it be?
Gracie,
Thanks for your question about your HHR. Our frist recommendation would be to take your car back to the shop that replaced your power steering pump and see if they will fix your AC. It sounds like the problem you are having is most likely due to a malfunctioning sensor in the air conditioning system. If the shop who changed your power steering pump forgot to replace a sensor or plug a wire back in it could cause your AC system to not operate correctly and cause the problem you’re having. We’ve found in most cases that when problems happen at the same time are somehow related.
If that is not the problem, the other possibility is that the problem is actually in your ventilation system, not your air conditioning system. There is a vent door that directs air either over the heater or over your AC coils and if that has failed your AC would appear not to be working simply because your vents are not directing the air through the system properly. To find out if this is your problem you have to remove a significant amount of the ventilation system to find this door and ensure it moves and operates as expected when you flip on the AC.
I have a Hyundai Santa Fe 2007. The A/C works fine and blows cold air while driving. The issue is that when the car is idle at a stop sign or drive through, it starts blowing warmer air. any idea what should i look at?
Rizwan,
Thanks for your question about your Santa Fe. The most likely problem you are having is actually an electrical problem, not a problem with your air conditioning. For a quick read on diagnosing electrical problems, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/diagnosing-electrical-problems/.
In your case, there is a fan that is supposed to run whenever your AC is turned on to cool the compressed refrigerant in the condenser at the front of your vehicle. If this fan isn’t turning on then the refrigerant will stay hot and will not cool below ambient temperature when it goes through the expansion valve. When your car is driving there is enough air passing over the condenser to cool the refrigerant so your AC works properly. You can start by checking the connections to this fan, the relay, and the fuses.
I live in Cali where it is always at least warm. When it’s 65- 80 degrees my a/c works great, ice cold! when its over 80, especially if parked in the sun for an hour or two, my a/c will blow hot air even after driving for a while. Some days, when its hot and I’m driving, it will start out ice cold then switch to hot air. Turning car off, sitting car for 10 min in shade, then turning it back on doesn’t help.
Suggestions?
Kerry,
Thanks for your question about your air conditioning. Usually, when your AC works for a few minutes then shuts off it is due to an overpressure condition in the system. The high pressure causes the compressor to shut off to protect itself. The high pressure could be caused from too much refrigerant in the system or a clog. If your system is clogged, the most likely locations are the condenser, the dryer or the expansion valve. To determine which component is malfunctioning, you would need a set of high and low pressure gauges to test the different components. It is also possible that a pressure switch in the system is malfunctioning causing the compressor the think the pressure is too high even if it’s not. Testing these components is a tedious process and probably better mechanic that can do electrical work.
Hi kelly may i know if your car ac is working now and what your mechanic did?we had the same problem
I drive a 97 Chrysler Town and Country and sometimes my A/C blows cool and other times it blows hot. I cannot get it to switch from floor to defrost, etc and I hear a hissing sound at times. I figure it’s an electrical issue as this vehicle has had it’s share of electrical issues in the past with the ignition, and alarm system. Can you please sorta lead me in the right direction, and also can you tell me if this model has vacuum lines that switch the floor/defrost over? Thanks so much in advance.
Judy,
Thanks for your question about your 97 Town and Country. The Town and Country you have does not have any vacuum lines controlling the floor/defrost vents. The model you have actually has a computer controlled ventilation system that is known for being quirky and hard to deal with. The best thing for you to do would be to try reset or recalibrate the climate control computer. It is a relatively lengthy process, but here is the best description of how to do it we could find: http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1998-chrysler-town-and-country-98-country-climate-control-problems.
Hopefully, your climate control system can just be reset. Since it is a computer controlled system, if resetting it doesn’t work, your only other alternative would be to replace the climate control computer.
Hello, I hope I can speak with someone. I have a 2006 Ford Ranger, and it has ran great up to this point. I got in to use my AC on the first warm day of the year a few months ago, and the AC didn’t work, as in blowing hot air when on the cool setting. After I drove the vehicle for about 10 minutes, the car makes a “thump” noise, and then the AC starts to blow cool air. I am not sure what may be causing this issue. The AC worked fine last year, and the heater I believed worked fine as well. I only have they issue with the AC blowing hot air for the first 10 minutes or so, then the thump occurs, and cool air comes out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Dylan,
Thanks for your question about your Ranger’s air conditioning. Our best guess is that your problem is with your AC compressor or the AC compressor clutch. When your AC is switched off, or the compressor isn’t running, an electronic clutch is used to disengage the pulley from the compressor so the engine belt can still run. It is possible that this clutch isn’t engaging when you press the button, but only after you drive for about 10 minutes or so. This could be an electrical issue or due to a worn out AC clutch.
If you check your AC clutch and it is in good working order, you may consider checking the accumulator next. Some different model Ford trucks have a service bulletin out for a thumping noise like you described and the recommended service is to change the accumulator but not the compressor. The bulletin doesn’t apply to your particular year truck but it may still help you find your problem.
Thanks again for your question!
-BlueDevil Pro
2004 toyota sienna. AC worked fine last summer. new radiator put in in Dec. tried ac today. blew cold for about 4 minutes then gradually changed to warm. turned it off. tried again 30 minutes later. same result.
Sally,
Thanks for your question! It is possible that your AC cooling fans simply aren’t coming on. Make sure once you press the AC button you hear the fans come on to cool things down. It is possible the mechanic who replaced your radiator didn’t reconnect the AC fans and that would cause the problem you are describing.
Another possibility is that your AC system is reaching an over pressure situation and the compressor is shutting down. You would need a mechanic or set of AC gauges to prove this, but that is usually caused by either too much refrigerant in the system or a clogged component. If your cooling fans are working properly, the best thing to do would be to take it to a mechanic for a diagnosis.
I have a 2001 Acura Integra. Stopped blowing cold air so I bought a recharge can and recharged it. It blew cold air for one day and then it went back to hot.
Chris-
It sounds like you have a refrigerant leak and that is why the recharge isn’t holding for you. We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and then adding the proper amount of refrigerant behind it. This will stop any leaks and allow your system to hold a recharge.
Thank You!
-BDP
2001 Honda Passport 4wd. When a/c is turned on it blows hot. When car is moving it gets cooler but high pitched grinding noise happens. When car stops it goes back to hot. It will occasionally cycle off while driving, but never really gets cold. Have tried to add freon but it will not take any and it says it is full too.
Alyce,
Thanks for your question about your Honda Passport. Grinding noises associated with your air conditioning system usually are a bad thing. It sounds like you might need a compressor, but you would have to check the pressure on the high-pressure side of your system to confirm that. It is also possible that your system is overfilled with refrigerant creating excessively high pressures which may be causing the noise and the lack of cooling. A mechanic should be able to check the high-pressure side and let you know if your system is overfilled.
The fact that it does get cooler when you are moving but warms back up while stopped makes me think the condenser may not be getting enough air flow. The condenser is in front of your radiator and cools the refrigerant after it is compressed. If this doesn’t get enough air flow, the refrigerant is still hot when it expands through the expansion valve which allows it to never get very cold. this could be caused by debris blocking the condenser or a failed cooling fan or cooling fan relay. Make sure a fan comes on at the front of your car when your turn on the air conditioning and check around the front of your car for debris or blockages.
Hi, I have a 2010 Camaro SS. My air conditioner is very random right now. It starts off and I turn on the AC. I could either get hot or cold air blowing out. The cold air will blow for a few minutes and then it will get hot again. If I drive the car long enough, it will get cool again.
Any advice would be very helpful!
Thank you!!
Austin,
Thanks for your question about your Camaro! It sounds like a lot of people have had similar AC problems with that year Camaro. Chevy is aware of the problems and has released a reprogram for the system and I believe a service bulletin. The best thing to do would be to call your closest Chevrolet dealership and give them your VIN number. They will be able to let you know what fixes are available and if they’ve been done to your vehicle already. Some of them may be able to be done at no cost to you.
I had my ac charged it blew cold while I drove it back to work. I sat for about 15 mins and it did great. The car was turned off for about 4 hours, when I started it, it will only blow hot again. I can hear a slight hissing noise.
Kim-
Normally with a refrigerant leak we recommend using the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak. However, it sounds like you are dealing with a leak that would be considered fairly large. Because you are losing the refrigerant so quickly we recommend taking it to an A/C specialist to be diagnosed and repaired. The only thing that will stop a leak of that size would be to have the appropriate parts replaced.
Thank You!
-BDP
Have a 2006 Chevy Express 4.8 V8 ac blows normal for a while then blows warm. this has been going on for two weeks. Replaced compressor a little over a year ago. could this be Ac regulator or switch if so where is it? Or freon needs recharge or leak?
Daniel,
Thanks for your question about your Chevy van! Any of the things you listed could be a problem. Your problem could also be a clog in your system or an overfilled system. The best way to figure out what the problem is would be to hook up your AC system to a set of AC gauges to check both the high and low pressures. If the low pressure is too low, then you need more Freon. If your high pressure is too high then your system is overfilled or there is a clog. If your high pressure is too low, then you may need a new compressor again. If all of the pressures are in the acceptable range, then this could also be due to a malfunctioning pressure or temperature switch in your system. Those are in a few different places and are difficult to diagnose without the repair manual for your vehicle.
I have a 2006 PT Cruiser. My air just started blowing hot air. I have put in freon and changed the pressure cycling switch and nothing. The air blows out like it should it is just hot. What else could i replace or check before having to spend big bucks on a new compressor?
Shannon,
Thanks for your question about your PT Cruiser! besides a failed compressor, it may be that you have a clog somewhere in your system or that the compressor is not getting the signal to turn on when you press the button. If you can find the input wire going to your compressor you can check it for voltage when you press the AC button, but that can be difficult to do and dangerous to try with the car running. The other possibility is that you have a clog somewhere in our system. You can check that if you have a set of AC gauges. Look for higher than expected pressures before a particular component. In this case, you can also check the pressure right after the compressor to tell if your compressor is doing its job or not. If you find your high-pressure side isn’t high enough then you’re in the market for a new compressor.
I have a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire. My air blows like I just have the fan on, maybe a little cooler at times. It blows like normal just not cold. What do you suggest.
Ramon-
You may be low on refrigerant. If it turns out that you are then we recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak. After the Red Angel has been added you should recharge the A/C system to its proper level.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2001 Honda Civic, it has similar problems that I was reading in the previous comments, air not cooling until at high speeds, but when I checked the freon levels, it reads over pressurized. I’m not sure what to check next. Thanks!
Cait-
Thanks for your question about your Civic’s air conditioning. Based on your system being over pressurized that is most likely your problem. If the system’s pressure is too high then once the compressor starts to run the high pressure side reaches the limit and a pressure switch will disengage the compressor to keep the system safe and keep from damaging the compressor. Any shop with AC equipment should be able to safely evacuate the extra refrigerant to get you back on the road. Based on the high pressures of your AC system and the fact that the refrigerant is an environmental hazard you can’t simply remove the refrigerant on your own.
The other problem you may have is a AC cooling fan that is malfunctioning. If fans don’t come on in the front of your car when you push the AC button them that could be causing your problem as well. If this is the case check your fan for free movement while the car is off, and check the fuse and relay for your cooling fans to make sure they’re working properly.
-BDP
I have a 2005 Scion tC and I am having a problem with my Ac . When I turn on my Ac it will kick out cold air and maybe after about 10-15 minutes the air is warm and then hot. I went to a mechanic and I was told to get a new Ac compressor, but I thought I needed a compressor if my compressor stopped working all together. I checked my reservoir and radiator and the coolant levels are full. What seems to be the problem? This is my first car and it’s a wee bit stressful
Jojo-
Thanks for your question about your Scion tC! Your radiator and coolant are not connected with your air conditioning system, so it’s a good thing they’re full, but unfortunate won’t help you diagnose your problem here. The only way to tell if you have a bad AC compressor is to use a set of AC gauges to measure the pressure right before and right after the compressor. If your mechanic did that test and found the wrong differential pressure across the compressor, he could be right in that you need a new compressor.
It is possible for your compressor to be failing and still work for a few minutes. As your AC system continues to run the high side pressure will increase and plateau. Also, components will heat up and cool down causing expansion and contraction of parts which could affect their operation. It is possible that when the pressures are lower and the system is first turned on your compressor has enough power to cool the air in your car but after running for a few minutes the tolerances change and the pressure rise enough for it to stop working.
You may consider getting a second opinion of your AC system just to make sure your mechanic accurately diagnosed the problem.
-BDP
I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe that is blowing out hot air. The pressure switch is working and it is full of freon. The compressor lines are not getting cold. Any ideas.
Demaro-
We recommend checking the flapper valve actuator; the part can usually be purchased for around $50.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 1991 BMW 535. My ac stops cooling whenthe ccar’s temperature reaches half and beyond. What may be causing the problem?
Sheckles-
Thanks for your question about your 1991 BMW 535. It sounds like you may have a bad temperature sender somewhere in your car’s cooling system. Your car has a safety feature that if your cooling system gets too hot it will shut off your air conditioning to help your car cool down. If the temperature switch that sends that signal is faulty, it may be shutting off your air conditioning even though your engine is not overheating.
The other possibility is that your vehicle’s cooling fans are malfunctioning. There should be an auxiliary fan that turns on when your air conditioning is running to help cool the condenser and if it is not coming on the heat from your car warming up may be enough to cause your AC system to not work properly. You can check the fan for free movement and the fuse and relay to make sure it’s getting power.
-BDP
I have what I think is a very specific issue that I cannot find the answer for on the internet. And the issue doesn’t make sense to me.
I bought a 2000 Tacoma and wanted to use the A/C. Whenever I turn on the A/C (or defroster since that kicks the compressor on), I get an odd whistling noise that can be heard in the cabin. I tried adding refrigerant with no success.
Here’s the crazy part – I eventually realized that the whistling noise was the A/C system pulling a vacuum at the low pressure port! Somehow, there is a vacuum inside the lines that is pulling the low pressure port valve open and sucking air in. I have no idea what this means and makes my head hurt thinking about it.
Any tips?
Matt-
During normal operation the low pressure port on your Tacoma should still be at 30-50 psi and the high pressure side much higher than that. Since you mentioned adding refrigerant didn’t work, the only thing we can think of is that you have a very large leak on the high pressure side of your compressor so any refrigerant you added was quickly forced out by the high discharge pressure of the compressor. If that is the case, there would be no refrigerant returning from the evaporator so the compressor would be drawing a vacuum on the low pressure line as it’s trying to pump refrigerant.
To keep from damaging anything we would recommend not switching on you’re AC system until you get the problem fixed to keep from pulling contamination into the system and to keep from running the compressor without refrigerant or lubrication. Check downstream of the compressor for large holes like a disconnected or broken line or significant punctures in your AC condenser. Once you find the hole, replace that component and try to refill the system with new refrigerant.
Thank You!
-BDP
Can a broken condensor fan send a signal to the computer in the truck to not turn on the compressor?
Tremaine-
Thanks for your question about your air conditioning! Different vehicles have different fail safes so we cannot say for sure if a broken fan will keep the compressor from coming on. In many cases, systems have a pressure switch that will shut off the compressor if the system reaches too high of a pressure. If the condenser fan isn’t coming on then the system will quickly over pressurize shutting off the compressor.
-BDP
I have a 2006 honda. The A/C was working fine, then all of the sudden it started blowing out warm air. When i first turn on the A/C it has cold air, then gets warmer and warmer. I don’t have a leak, and my A/C fluid was topped off, but it is still blowing out warm air.
Joe-
It is possible that your AC compressor is starting to wear out. Often times, old compressors will work for a few minutes but as they heat up things expand and move causing them to become less efficient. You can check this by measuring both the high and low pressures in your system to see if the compressor is creating the necessary differential in pressure for the system to work. The other possibility is that your cooling fans are not operating properly. Without cooling fans your AC system will work for a few minutes until the condenser gets heat soaked. Once the condenser is hot, you’re AC system will start to malfunction if the cooling fans don’t turn on.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a Subaru forrester 2009. When i drive my car, the AC works perfectly. When I stop the car at a red light or just parked, hot air starts to comes in with some kind of clicking sound from engine (might be from this belt that I have seen that rotates then just stops and rotates again which causes the clicking sound). Makes sense or do I sound crazy?
David,
It sounds like your having trouble with your electric fans. While you’re driving you have enough air flowing over the condenser in the front of your car to allow your air conditioning system to work, but when you stop, the lack of air flow causes the temperatures and pressures in your system to rise. You should have two electric fans that turn on when you turn your AC on to draw air over the condenser while your car is stopped to keep the AC working. If those fans do not turn on, your AC compressor will continue to compress the refrigerant until the system reaches the high-pressure cutoff. The clicking you are hearing is probably the compressor turning on and off as it reaches high-pressure safety point. If you don’t see the fans running when your AC is on you can check the fuses, relays and wiring for your fans.
My wife’s 2012 Nissan Altima started blowing hot and I recharged it with R134a refrigerant. All was well for about 1 day. It started running warm again. I added more refrigerant with dye to detect a leak. The air stopped cooling as soon as the refrigerant can came off and 3 days later I looked for a leak with a UV light. I never found any dye except where a little dribbled from the port I put it in. I’m not sure where to go from here. Any ideas?
Tim,
Thanks for your question about your Altima. When using leak detecting dye, make sure you have your car in a very dark garage as the dye can be difficult to see unless you have a very bright black light. The other possibility is that the leak is in the evaporator which is under your dash. You’ll probably have to remove some of your dash and HVAC ducting to see the evaporator and the dye there.
Instead of looking for the leak you can try using BlueDevil Red Angel A/C Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/a-c-stop-leak-aerosol-00222/?page_context=category&faceted_search=0) BlueDevil Red Angel is guaranteed to seal your leak without having to find it first and backed by our guarantee if you purchase it online or at one of our partnering retailers.
My son has a 2006 PT Cruiser Touring Edition and his air blows warm when in idle but gets cool when he is moving. I bought one of those cans of refrigerant with the little gauge on it. When we hook it up it goes way up into the red that says “may have mechanical problems”. When the fan starts it then goes to yellow which says it is overcharged. Any ideas what might be the problem and should I still try to put some freon in the system. The car has 150,000 miles on it and these are all interstate miles and my husband never used the air before we gave it to our son.
Stacy,
The air conditioning problems with your son’s PT Cruiser are a little difficult to diagnose. It doesn’t sound like the problem is a low refrigerant level. Without measuring the high-pressure side of the system, it is hard to say for sure what the problem is but based on your description it seems the most likely problem is the compressor. It is possible that the lack of use of the AC system actually cause the seals in the compressor to deteriorate so it is possible that is your problem.
I have a 1996 toyota camry. lately the ac works fine in the morning and at night and on days when it is cloudy, but when it is hot outside and you really want cold air, it feels like you have the heater running. We have added freon, but it was a waste of money since it is still doing the same thing. What could cause this?
Jama,
Thanks for your question about your air conditioning. It sounds like your system may be over charged. The warmer the outdoor temperatures the higher the pressure in your air conditioning system will get because the ambient air won’t be able to cool the condenser as much. Your air conditioning system has a high-pressure safety cutoff where it will shut down the compressor keeping the AC from working to protect the system. If you combine the high pressure of a hot day and the higher pressure of an overfilled system you may be reaching that cutoff point. Try having your system evacuated and refilled with the proper amount of refrigerant to try and solve the problem.
AC not blowing cold air, grinding noise when AC is on and I stop and drive
It does blows only hot air or external temperature, when stop at a light and drive off it does make a grinding noise, I tried replacing Freon and the needle of the indicator when pass the red zone to the black and did not move after that then did started to expel the Freon when the AC cycles making a noise.
Got two different diagnostics, one says it is the compressor, the other says that the compressor works but did not have Freon and may have a leak.
Fabiola,
Thanks for your question about your AC not blowing cold. It sounds more like a problem with your compressor than just a Freon leak. If you are hearing a grinding noise associated with turning on your AC, then there is some internal damage to your compressor and even if it had the proper amount of Freon, it wouldn’t be able to do its job.
I have a 2006 Pathfinder and the A/C is working fine when im driving but started to blow hot air when i hit traffic on the freeway or stop at the stop light. Any recommendation
Jon,
Thanks for your question about your Pathfinder. Most likely the problem is that your AC cooling fans aren’t doing a good job drawing air through the condenser when you’re in traffic. When you’re driving there is enough air flow from your truck moving to keep the AC working. Your fans might not be working due to an electrical issue like a blown fuse or broken relay, or the fan itself may be blocked or worn out. The other possibility is that your AC compressor is going bad and only has enough power when your engine is at a higher RPM. You can check your compressor’s operation by measuring the high and low pressures in your system using a set of mechanic’s AC gauges.
Hot air from AC. Worked great last season. When attempting to add 134a freon, after connecting the filling hose to the low side, the needle on the gauge was pointing to the high Red Danger area. The car was running with AC on full. I still tried to add freon, but nothing released from the can. Do I have too much already in the system? I do not understand how this happen since it was working great last summer.
Mike-
We recommend taking your vehicle in to an A/C specialist. It does sound like the A/C system may be overfilled which can cause the failure of multiple parts. It would be helpful to have a professional hook up his gauges to better diagnose what is actually wrong.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2004 Buick Park Avenue Ultra with 97k miles. When I drive home from work in the afternoon, my AC is on. After the car warms up, cool air starts blowing out of the vents on the passenger side, but hot air continues to blow out of the vents on the drivers side. My drive home takes 30 to 45 minutes. The air stays hot on the drivers side the entire drive home. There are dual temperature controls in the front which are both set to cool.
JJ-
Thanks for your question about your Park Avenue. The climate control system in your car uses a series of motor controlled doors to direct air in your ventilation system. As these doors move they direct cabin or outdoor air over the heater core or straight through the ducts. It sounds like the air is being cooled by a properly functioning air conditioning system, but then the driver’s air is mistakenly being directed over the heater core as well. This is most likely due to a burnt out servo motor or a stuck ventilation door.
Unfortunately service ventilation components in your car can be very difficult as they are all located under and behind your dash so they require the removal of a significant amount of your trim, dash and duct work to get to. If you’re confident and have the time to do that work, changing the burnt out servo motor or realigning the duct door is a relatively easy job.
-BDP
I have a 2004 honda crv the ac isint blowing cold like it should be but the ac pump dose engae when i turn on the ac what could be the problem
Rodrigo-
You may simply be low on refrigerant. We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and then following that up with a recahrge (be sure to fill the refrigerant to the proper level).
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2005 scion and I tried to recharge the air and it sounds like it comes back out I put some dye in ti to see if I could see where it is coming from I didn’t see anything would this stop leak help?
Matisha-
It is possible that the leak you are experiencing is coming from under the dash and that is why it is difficult to detect with the dye. We recommend adding a can of the Red Angel A/C Stop Leak to seal the A/C system and prevent any future Freon from leaking out.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hello,
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima and recently my A/C blows cold air when parked, but as soon as I step on the gas and drive it, it starts to blow hot air. What could be the problem?
Thanks
John-
Thanks for your question about your Altima’s air conditioning. Your problem is opposite of what most people see in a failing air condoning system so it’s a little difficult to tell what is going on. The most likely possibility is that your system is experiencing an overly high pressure and shutting off the compressor to keep anything from being damaged. This could be from an overfilled system or a clog somewhere in your system. The only way to tell which your problem is to use a set of mechanic’s AC gauges to measure both the high and low side pressures. If the low side pressure is too high, your system is over filled and if the high side pressure is too high then you have a clog in your system.
-BDP
I have a 2006 Chevy equinox and my AC is blow warm. What is strange is when I get to 40 miles an hour the A/C blows cold again. I have check the Freon levels and they are good. I have checked the fuses. Any thoughts?
Rodney-
Thanks for your question about your 2006 Chevy Equinox. The problem you are having with your air conditioning sounds like a cooling problem with your condenser. If the high pressure, warm refrigerant that is running through your condenser isn’t properly cooled it won’t cool properly when it goes through the expansion valve causing your AC to blow warm air. When you’re driving above 40 MPH there is a lot of air flowing through you condenser since it is at the front of your car, so your AC works properly.
This problem may be due to debris in front of your condenser or failed AC cooling fans. Check for debris behind your bumper in front of your radiator. Also check to make sure the fans come on in your engine bay when you switch the air conditioning on. If the fans don’t come on, check the electrical connects, fuses and relays for your fans. If your fans are working and you don’t have debris in the front of your car, then you condenser may be clogged internally and needs to be replaced.
For a quick read on how your air conditioner works, check out this article: https://gobdp.com/blog/ac-working/.
-BDP
I have a 2007 Nissan Altima 2 months ago I had a new ra