Check out 5 common reasons for car AC failure

It can be incredibly frustrating when you turn on your car’s air conditioning (AC) and only hot air comes out. Several factors can contribute to this problem, and it’s important to identify the underlying cause to rectify the issue. Here are five possible reasons why your car’s AC isn’t blowing cold air:

1. Insufficient Refrigerant:
When your AC blows hot air, low refrigerant levels are often to blame. This deficiency is usually caused by a leak, which can result from worn hoses or loose connections. While you can use a recharge kit from an auto parts store to replenish the system, this approach has its drawbacks. Overcharging the system can negatively impact its performance, and the root cause of the leak remains unresolved.

2. Malfunctioning Compressor:
The compressor plays a crucial role in the AC system, and if it fails, the entire system will be affected. A faulty compressor may have a bad clutch, which is a relatively minor repair. In vehicles with a belt-driven AC unit, the clutch connects the compressor to the pulley responsible for powering the system. However, a blown fuse could also be the culprit in some cases.

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3. Defective Pressure Switch:
Two pressure switches monitor the refrigerant levels in the AC system. If the pressure becomes too high or too low, the switches will shut off the compressor for safety reasons, resulting in a malfunctioning AC system.

4. Malfunctioning Blend Door Actuator:
The blend door actuator directs hot or cold air into the car’s cabin based on the temperature settings. If you set the system to provide cold air but end up with hot air (or vice versa), it could indicate a malfunctioning blend door actuator.

5. Faulty Head Unit:
If all other components of the AC system are functioning properly, the main control unit in the cabin, responsible for temperature controls, may be at fault. Wiring issues or electronic signal problems in newer vehicles can lead to the wrong signals being sent, affecting the performance of the AC system.