Have you ever had a moment while driving on a summer’s day where you’ve thought “far out it must be hot today, I can even feel it in here!”? Whether your vehicle has basic air conditioning or the latest in zoned ventilation intensity, responsive air distribution, or infrared body and seat temperature sensors, you’ll soon feel it if the air con is on the fritz. If you’re wondering “why isn’t my car AC cold?”, it’s time to take action.
Don’t wait until you’re melting like a cartoon character to get your air con fixed – come in today and get things sorted.
3 reasons your why your car AC isn’t cold
An AC blockage
If your car AC isn’t blowing air that is cool, but not cool enough, check to make sure there’s no debris obstructing airflow to your AC system. Fallen leaves are a common culprit that might be stopping air from flowing over the condenser. If you’ve been driving in rural areas, a build-up of insects (particularly if there’s a locust plague) can do the same.
Low coolant levels
If you’re low on engine coolant, your radiator may be overheating and impacting the effectiveness of your AC. Check the indicator on your coolant tank and refill if you’re confident in doing so. If you notice that your coolant levels are dropping quickly, make sure you bring your vehicle in to see us – this may be a sign of a leak or other fault in the system.
Your air conditioning needs regassing
If your air conditioning system initially blows very cold air and then very rapidly loses its cool, you may be running low on gas. To keep circulating cool air effectively, your car AC needs a certain level of refrigerant gas.
If this level drops too low, it can result in a drop in pressure that may cause the evaporator coils to ice over – hence the initial blast of cold air. You may also notice some dampness in the front passenger well, where moisture from the ice may leak. It’s important to have this looked at by a professional, as working with refrigerants can be unsafe and damaging to you and the environment.
Other common AC issues
Below, we’ve listed some more potential problems with air con not working in a car, which might be connected to your temperature issues.
Airflow
If air is barely blowing out of the vents, it will do very little to cool your interior. Weak airflow could be caused by a loose blower hose or burnt-out ventilation fan.
Moisture
If there’s AC water leaking in your car i.e. coming out of the AC vent, or other signs of moisture on the dashboard or your car is leaking air conditioning water on a hot day, don’t wait. Water can cause further damage elsewhere, so it’s best to get it seen to before more extensive repairs are required.
Noise
A rattling or screeching sound whenever you turn your car’s air conditioning on could also point to the need for repair. If you hear a popping noise from your AC (or other strange sounds), it could be due to a broken fan belt or condenser.
Odour
The last thing you want is to smell odd odours emanating from your car, which can be attributed to a multitude of things, and an air conditioning unit in need of repair is one of them. An unpleasant or burning smell might signal the air filter or wiring is worn and needs replacing.
Wondering ”why isn’t my car AC cold”? We’ll keep you cool
If your car AC isn’t cold, don’t lose your cool! Drop in or give us a call. When you book your car in for an air conditioning repair or service, you can trust that your car is in good hands. The team at Cox Auto are ARC-authorised and licensed air conditioning technicians.
We’ll keep your car cool and on the road, and if your air conditioning needs a full service, we’ll keep you on the move with our premium service experience. Ask about our complimentary loan cars and flexible prepayment options. We’re committed to providing high quality, affordable air conditioning repairs and services to keep you cool.
