If your car’s air conditioning goes out on a hot day, your commute to work, running errands, or the beach will be miserable. If it isn’t blowing cool air or even warm air, then your A/C system should be diagnosed immediately.
A non-optimal air conditioning system is a common problem we see here at H B Auto & AC. The root of the problem for your A/C blowing mildly cool or warm air ranges from simple to complex. Sometimes it can be caused by normal wear and tear or damaged or malfunctioning parts within the system. Here are the most common issues:
Freon Leak
Freon is a non-flammable gas chemical used to cool the external air before it is blown back into your car. Each vehicle needs a specific amount of freon to operate correctly. When there is a leak in the system, the freon will eventually run low or run out. The leak can be caused in numerous ways: a damaged hose, a loose gasket, or just a general loose connection. To fix this, we use a charging machine to check the system for the correct amount of Freon. Then we remove all Freon from the system then add in the precise amount for proper operation.
A/C Needs Recharging
Remember the freon that we just mentioned above? You might just be running low on it. This is the most common cause of an air conditioner not getting cold enough. Sometimes you might not be able to tell whether you are low or if there is a leak. If your refrigerant level is low, we can recharge it right away.
A Stuck Blend Door
When you turn your A/C on and try to cool your car, something called a “blend air door” swings across your ventilation system to close off the warm air coming into your vehicle and allow the cold air from the A/C system to blow in.
Sometimes the blend air door gets stuck, and when it does, you’ll keep getting warm air, no matter how well the rest of your vehicle’s A/C system is working. Fixing the blend air door often doesn’t require new parts, but it can be challenging to reach, as it’s deep behind your dashboard. Consequently, this is why we recommend coming into our shop to have a trained professional get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Blocked or Broken Condenser
The condenser’s job is to turn the freon gases back into liquid. If the condenser is blocked by debris or is damaged, the refrigerant will not flow. When this happens, you won’t get cold or even cool air blowing from our air conditioner.
Disengagement of A/C Compressor
If you own an older vehicle, then it’s entirely possible that your compressor needs a replacement. A replacement is required anywhere between 10-15 years of use. The compressor is the most critical part of your AC system, as it’s responsible for circulating the freons throughout your system. In other words, if it goes out, the cool air isn’t going to reach your cabin, and your vent will blow warm air.
An Issue with the Electrical System
It’s also possible that there is a straightforward reason your car air conditioning is not cold, and that is your electrical system. There are many fuses and wires that play a role in your AC system. Sometimes, it can take just a singular malfunctioning wire to mess things up. The hard part is pinpointing which exact wire. The good news is, our certified technicians know exactly how to do it.
If you’re in the Huntington Beach area and notice your car A/C is not running at an optimal level of coldness, come to H B Auto & AC. Our mechanics can run a full diagnostic test on your car and tell you what’s wrong with your A/C.