Reasons Why Your Car's AC Is Producing Warm Air
Posted on: 6 January 2016
On a hot summer day, when you turn the AC on in your car, you expect to be met with a blast of cool air. When several moments pass by and the unit is still blowing out warm air, you know something is wrong, but probably not exactly what it is. Having a general idea of the factors that can lead to this issue can make the repair process less stressful and simpler.
Compressor
When it comes to the compressor inside your vehicle's AC unit, if it's not working, the air won't be cooled – it's as simple as that. As the heart of the entire system, the coolant has to circulate through the compressor. Inside the compressor, the heat is extracted from the air and the now, cooled air is routed into your car's cabin.
Unfortunately, a common cause of failure is normal wear and tear, which requires that the compressor be replaced. In some instates, there could be a problem with the magnetic clutch inside the unit that is preventing it from turning, repairing the clutch can typically resolve the problem.
Refrigerant
Another reason you could be experiencing warm air from your unit is a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant plays a critical role in the function of the vehicle's air conditioner unit because it is the catalyst by which the air is cooled. If the refrigerant is low, the air conditioner will either take forever to cool the air or not cool it at all.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a leak isn't as simple as looking under your vehicle for a puddle as the leak can be occurring inside the condenser, compressor or evaporator. A trained technician will have to spot the leak for you.
Electrical System
In some instances, a problem with the air conditioner can be attributed to a malfunction within the electrical component of the unit. In addition to the compressor and refrigerant, there are a number of wire connections, pressure switches and fuses that make the wheels turn.
If one of these components fails, this creates a domino like effect that prevents the compressor from functioning, the refrigerant from cycling and a number of other problems. One indication of an electrical problem is often a sudden failure of the air conditioner unit without any previous warning signs of decline.
If your car's air conditioner unit is producing hot air or malfunctioning in any other manner, a repair technician can quickly diagnose and correct the problem for you. To learn more, contact a company like Modern Auto Air.
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