7 Reasons Why Your Car AC Unit Isn’t Keeping You Cool this Summer

Written by

CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

Updated on May 14th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • Some reasons why your AC isn’t keeping you cool during the summer include excess moisture in your AC, low refrigerant, and a malfunctioning blend air door.
  • Your AC unit cleans air by forcing warm air to release.
  • Newer car models have multi-speed fans that push through air vents. These are controlled by computer modules.

One of the best things about summer is that the weather is perfect for road trips, be it with family or friends. It’s a totally different story though when extreme summer heat kicks in and you find out that your car is not blowing cold air. High temperatures will not only make the trip uncomfortable for you and your passengers, your health could actually suffer if it gets too hot inside the car.

So before you hit the road, check if your air conditioning system is working or not. If it isn’t, here are possible reasons why the car A/C is blowing hot air:

Your air conditioner has excess moisture and contaminants

Your AC unit cleans air by forcing warm air for release. Moisture and debris can disrupt this process and hinder your air conditioner from cooling your vehicle.

Your refrigerant is running low

Car refrigerant eventually runs out but not for a long period of time. If your refrigerant is running low despite the car being new or a recent refrigerant refill, it’s possible that you have a leak. Leaks commonly happen at the AC unit hose connection where the rubber material wears out over time due to exposure to heat or moisture.

Driving with a broken AC in summer is not only uncomfortable, the high temperatures could actually have a negative impact on your health.

Your blend air door is malfunctioning

The blend air door switches heat to cool air in your AC unit. If you have a faulty blend door, it could keep on blowing warm air.

Your AC compressor is not engaging

If the compressor is not working, the refrigerant level might be low or there could be an electrical issue in the compressor itself. Overheating is another possible why the compressor won’t engage.

Your cooling fan has stopped working

Most cars nowadays have multi-speed fans that push air through vents. The speeds of these fans are controlled by a small computer module or resistors. When either of these gets too hot, they can burn out and affect the speed. If this happens, the fan could get stuck at a single speed or completely stop working.

Your condenser is broken / clogged

The condenser cools down high-pressure refrigerant vapors released by the compressor. A condenser clogged with dirt and debris could block the flow of cold air.

Your vehicle has electrical issues

Electrical wirings can sustain damage for a variety of reasons. This issue could be the hardest one to diagnose as it requires visual inspection of all your wirings to locate the damage.

Don’t let a broken AC ruin an otherwise fun and relaxing summer vacation. Have a professional mechanic check your vehicle if you’re beginning to experience some of the problems mentioned above. Road trips can be awesome but nobody wants to drive or ride a toaster!

Where to Get Quality Replacement A/C System Parts

Your vehicle’s A/C system is a complex assembly of different parts all working to keep you cool in your cabin. Unfortunately, if any of these parts are damaged, the system might fail or malfunction, leaving you sweaty and uncomfortable in your car. Thankfully, once you find the source of these issues, it’s easy enough to order replacement parts at CarParts.com.

CarParts.com offers a wide range of A/C system parts on our easy-to-navigate website. With just a few easy clicks, you can find parts that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle using the built-in vehicle selector. Order with confidence knowing we offer a 60-day return policy and a lifetime replacement guarantee. Use our safe and secure checkout to finalize your order. Our quick shipping process will have your A/C parts delivered to your door in as fast as two business days.

Place your order for a new A/C cooling fan and other A/C system parts on CarParts.com now.

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