This month marks the official beginning of summer, and with Phoenix weather, that means buckle your seat belt because we are in for long hot days ahead. With the warmer weather may come some new issues for your vehicle, and one of the very worst problems you can face on a hot sunny day, is finding out that your car’s AC is not functioning properly or at all. Nothing can spoil summer fun quite like a broken car air conditioner, especially if it is putting out hot air and adding to the Arizona heat. Why is your vehicle’s AC blowing warm air? Let’s discuss possible causes.
Why is my Vehicle’s AC Blowing Warm Air?
While not having functioning AC, or having a system that is adding heat to your vehicle instead of cooled air, doesn’t mean you can’t drive your car, truck, or SUV, it can make for a miserable time. Rolling down a window can help to cool things down a bit; however, with our Phoenix, AZ temperatures, it is definitely not the same as having air conditioning and is usually only satisfactory for a short period of time.
There may be many factors that may be the cause of your car AC blowing warm air when it shouldn’t. We have highlighted a few of the biggest reasons why this happens as well as how you can fix them, below. Keep reading to answer, “Why is my vehicle’s AC blowing warm air?”
- Compressor or Condenser Issues: Vehicles should effortlessly blow cold air into the vehicle’s cabin. A damaged or failing compressor or condenser will not be able to properly regulate the refrigerant flow in the AC system, and as a result, the AC will not function properly and will start blowing warm air. The condenser is at the front of the car, between the grate and the radiator. It utilizes air flowing through the grate to assist in cooling. If the condenser is blocked or clogged by road debris, air won’t reach it, preventing the refrigerant from cooling correctly. The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through the system, and if not working correctly, the antifreeze won’t be able to reach the condenser for cooling. If your vehicle is blowing warm or hot air, there is a problem, and it could be a faulty, dirty, or broken compressor.
- Electrical Problems: If you have to ask, “Why is my vehicle’s AC blowing warm air?”, the problem may be within the vehicle’s electrical system. A frayed wire or a blown fuse can cause an otherwise healthy AC system from functioning. Your car’s electrical system is a web of wires that can be difficult to pick apart for the untrained eye. If a single one is frayed, burnt or damaged, it can create a snowball effect that could be the cause of your vehicle AC blowing hot air. Something simple like a blown fuse can cause your AC to shut off, but it’s important to have a full diagnostic test run on your vehicle by a professional, in case there is a bigger issue.
- Refrigerant Leak: Refrigerant is a liquid that circulates through your vehicle’s AC system, expanding and contracting as it removes heat and humidity from the cabin. Your car’s AC will not function correctly without proper refrigerant levels. If there is a leak or another reason that your refrigerant is low, you may find your vehicle’s AC blowing warm air. If there’s a leak, it may be hard to spot it with the naked eye, so if you suspect a refrigerant leak, or simply need to top off your refrigerant levels, you can make an appointment with a Phoenix automotive repair specialist to help resolve the issue.
- Dirty Air Filter: According to Consumer Reports, “a dirty filter prevents optimal airflow,” and could be the reason for the warm breeze coming from your vehicle’s AC. The air filters in your vehicle help to filter and keep out things that should not make their way into your car’s components. When your air filters become soiled and obstructed, the air that your vehicle needs to function cannot flow properly and it can cause performance issues and larger problems. In order to get the most out of your car’s AC, you should check your filters regularly to make sure they’re clean.
We have reviewed some of the most common reasons that your vehicle’s AC may be blowing warm air, but let’s face it, if yours is not providing you an escape from this heat, you likely don’t care what the reason is, you just want to fix it.
At Advanced Transmissions & Emissions we are here for your Phoenix vehicle. If you have air conditioning issues with your vehicle, call us.
The first step in our process is accurately determining the issue. Sometimes a low level of air conditioning refrigerant is the problem. The only way to know for sure, is by testing the vehicle and determining the AC refrigerant levels. If the issue is not the refrigerant, we will move onto a more thorough diagnosis to determine what is causing the issue. We always attempt to do simple fixes before moving onto more exhaustive and expensive solutions.
Regardless, what the issue, Advanced Transmissions & Emissions is here for affordable air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
