Why is my AC not blowing cold air in my truck?

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During the hot summer months in Utah you want your vehicle's AC to blow cool refreshing air for your comfort and the comfort of your passengers. There are a variety of reasons why your car AC is not blowing cold air. Fixing the AC could be as simple as recharging your car's AC refrigerant or repairing a refrigerant leak but may also require complex electrical climate control repair or slipping compressor clutch to get your air conditioning operating at top performance once again.

Understanding Your Vehicle's AC System

The air conditioning system in your vehicle can be complex due to the location of the hoses and lines. Essentially, your vehicle's AC system compresses and heats the refrigerant, then allowing it to decompress and condense into a liquid that causes it to rapidly lose heat. This process absorbs heat from the car's cabin and is continuously repeated to achieve your desired temperature.

The basic concept is much easier to understand when the components are broken down, as follows:

• The compressor runs off an engine belt that squeezes or compresses the gaseous refrigerant.
• Once it has been pressurized, the condenser cools it down through a series of finned tubes where it returns to a liquid state. This liquid will then pass through a dryer or receiver that removes excess water to eliminate the risk of ice crystal formations inside the AC system.
• Next the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator via a thermal expansion valve where it is then exposed to heat from the vehicle's cabin. At this point the fluid boils, reducing it to a gas form once again. During this process the heat from the surrounding air is absorbed causing the evaporator coil to chill. Finally, it is redistributed throughout the cabin by the blowing fan through the vents as cool, crisp air-conditioned air.

Just about every car has the same basic AC parts consisting of a compressor, condenser and evaporator that work together to keep you cool during the warm summer months. When any of these parts fail, you're left with uncomfortable heat that a rolled-down window just can't fix.

Here are the top 3 reasons why your car AC may not be blowing cold air:

#1 Your Car's AC Needs a Recharge

The most common cause of a vehicle's air conditioner not getting cold enough is that it needs to be recharged. You can recharge your refrigerant by yourself, but to save time and make sure the job is done correctly you should make an appointment with your local professional auto shop.

The trusted professionals at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah can help you recharge your car's AC system. Give us a call at 801-447- for a free quote to get you back on the road with the comfort and safety with a recharged AC blowing crisp, cool air again.

#2 An AC System Refrigerant Leak

When your vehicle's AC system develops a refrigerant fluid leak it can be challenging to detect due to the fact that refrigerant fluid instantly evaporates when it comes in contact with air. A professional mechanic uses specialized tools to determine if there is a leak by introducing ultraviolet fluid to show signs of low refrigerant pressure in the AC system. Signs of an AC system refrigerant leak:

• Audible click when the AC is turned on.
• AC cycles on and off frequently.
• Hissing sounds from the AC system (when the engine is off).
• Oil residue around AC pipe fittings and hoses.

A refrigerant leak repair may include repairing or replacing the specific failing component. If a large amount of fluid has been lost, your AC system will need to be flushed and the refrigerant fluid will need to be replaced to function properly and get the cool air flowing. *Please note that refrigerant is a very harmful toxic chemical and should not be handled without the proper equipment operated by a trained professional.

#3 Fan Motor Failure

Another common source of trouble in your car's AC system might be the fan(s) motor located at the front of the vehicle's motor. Whether your car has one or two fans, it is important that the fan is in good working order to both keep you cool and to provide vital cooling to your engine.

If you are unsure about the correct diagnosis of your car's failing air conditioner, the friendly and caring certified mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah will give you a free repair quote and work quickly to fix your AC and get you back out on the road.

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Professional Help from Ace Auto to Keep You and Your Passengers Comfortable with Cool Air

If your car ac unit is not blowing cold enough air in Utah , contact the ASE certified auto mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan Utah to quickly inspect and repair your AC unit. For an honest AC diagnosis and speedy repairs in West Jordan, schedule an AC repair appointment at Ace Auto or call 801-447- for a FREE repair quote. Our ASE Certified master mechanics are experienced technicians that are certified and can repair any AC system problem and have your AC working properly again.

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Credit: Getty / Dima Berlin

How to Fix Your Car&#;s A/C

Entering a hot car and sticking to the seats because the air conditioning isn&#;t working is something no motorist wants to experience on a scorching day.

Sure, you could drive with the windows open and the fan blowing, but that&#;s not a comfortable solution &#; and it certainly won&#;t be popular with your passengers. That&#;s why we&#;re here to help you figure out the best way to fix your car ac, depending on the cause.

Signs You May Need Your Car&#;s A/C Repaired

Obviously, the main sign of broken air conditioning is that there is no air conditioning. The vents may be blasting hot air in your face or not blasting at all. Either way, once you&#;ve checked that the vents are open and the knobs are set to cool, then you&#;re probably pretty safe to assume the A/C is broken.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Sino Air Conditioner.

Air conditioning woes can range from major to minor. Here are the most common causes of broken car A/C systems:

1. Low refrigerant

This is the most likely issue when the air blows hot. A leak typically causes low refrigerant; a worn hose or a loose connection is often the culprit.

You can replenish the system using a recharge kit available at an auto parts store. Still, there are two downsides to that approach: One; there&#;s a risk of overcharging the system, which can adversely affect its performance. Two, you still won&#;t have found and fixed the leak that caused the problem in the first place.

Car A/C Compressor Credit: Getty / Aleksandr Kondratov

2. Faulty compressor

If this key component fails, the entire air conditioning system is down. The compressor could have a bad clutch, which is a less-serious repair. In cars with a belt-driven A/C unit, the clutch connects the compressor to the pulley that powers the system; it allows you to turn the compressor on and off. (If your A/C unit is driven by an electric motor, as in some hybrids and all EVs, it won&#;t have a clutch.) The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse.

3. Bad pressure switch

A pair of pressure switches monitor the refrigerant. If the pressure becomes too high or low, it will turn off the compressor for safety reasons, which will cause the system to stop working.

Car A/C Condenser / Credit: Getty / chiewr

4. Damaged condenser

The component that cools the air conditioning refrigerant sits ahead of the radiator at the front of the vehicle,e and it can become clogged or damaged from debris striking it. Age and wear can also cause a condenser to fail. A car&#;s A/C condenser will typically need to be replaced after 10 years or so under regular operation. 

5. Failed condenser fan

The condenser uses moving air to cool the system&#;s refrigerant. When driving the vehicle at higher speeds, this takes care of itself, but the condenser needs a fan to function at lower speeds.

If the fan stops working, you&#;ll notice a difference in how well the A/C system cools the cabin while driving around town versus on the highway. You may also hear some banging or rattling, and you won&#;t hear the fan running after the car is parked.

6. Sensor glitches

A vehicle&#;s climate control system relies on numerous sensors to deliver air at the proper temperature. Its performance will be compromised if one of these sensors fails.

Clean vs. Dirty Cabin Air Filter

7. Obstructed cabin air filter

A car&#;s climate control system uses a filter to trap dust, pollen, and particles that might otherwise enter the cabin. If the cabin air filter is not changed regularly, it can become clogged and affect the system&#;s cooling abilities. 

8. Defective blend door actuator

A vehicle&#;s air conditioning system uses a blend door actuator that channels hot or cold air into the cabin. If you set the system for one and get the other, it could be because the actuator is malfunctioning.

9. Faulty head unit

If the rest of the system checks out, the central control unit (the part in the cabin with the temperature controls) may be at fault, perhaps sending the wrong signal. This could result from a problem with the wiring or, in the case of newer vehicles, the electronic signal that links the computerized temperature controls to the mechanical A/C components under the hood.

Car A/C Controls / Credit: Getty / ponsulak

How Much Does a Car A/C Repair Cost?

Some of the most severe problems can be costly, but this can be money well spent when the temperatures are sizzling.

Here&#;s a look at some national average estimates to repair the most common air conditioning woes, courtesy of RepairPal.com. Prices will vary according to the cost of parts for your specific vehicle, local wage rates, and other factors. Estimates do not include taxes and related service requirements.

• System Inspection: Up to $70 
• Refrigerant Recharge: $120 to $155
• Blend Door Actuator Replacement: $325 to $375
• Cabin Air Filter Replacement: Up to $85
• Compressor Replacement: $720 to $950
• Compressor Clutch Replacement: $570 to $620
• Condenser Replacement: $450 to $600
• Condenser Fan Replacement: $385 to $475
• Electronic Control Module Replacement: $380 to $400
• Temperature Sensor Replacement: $320 to $400

DIY: Can You Fix Your Car&#;s A/C Yourself?

Air conditioner repair is best left to the pros, but you can do some air conditioner maintenance at home. An air conditioning system will last longer if it&#;s properly maintained. 

Tips for maintaining your car&#;s A/C

• Run the system for at least 10 minutes each week at its highest fan and lowest temperature setting, even in the year&#;s coldest months. This basic process helps lubricate the compressor and prevent leaks. While you&#;re at it, run the defroster for 5-10 minutes to clear the system of any moisture or mildew.
• Change the cabin air filter according to your vehicle&#;s maintenance schedule.
• Have the refrigerant recharged every two years. This isn&#;t as easy as the first two steps, but kits are available online with detailed instructions. 
• Finally, don&#;t hesitate to take the car in for service if the climate control system isn&#;t working as expected.

How a Car&#;s A/C Works

Though A/C systems have become more sophisticated over the years, with some offering up to four zones of individual temperature control, the basic air conditioning technology remains more or less the same.

• The system uses a compressor driven by a pulley connected to the engine or, in electric cars, an electric motor attached directly to the compressor.
• The compressor compresses low-pressure refrigerant gas to a high pressure.
• The pressurized refrigerant gas flows into the condenser behind the car&#;s front grille, where a twisting tube system cools the refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid.
• The high-pressure liquid refrigerant moves through an accumulator or receiver dryer, which removes any water that might damage the system. 
• The high-pressure fluid passes through an orifice tube or expansion valve. This allows the refrigerant to expand and cool to move to the evaporator core as a near-freezing low-pressure liquid. In the evaporator, the liquid converts back to a low-pressure gas.
• A fan blows air over the evaporator and sends the cool air into the passenger compartment.
• The low-pressure refrigerant gas flows back into the compressor where the process begins over again.

Next Steps

• The Carfax Car Care app knows your car&#;s maintenance schedule and sends you automatic reminders when it&#;s time to service it.
• Carfax&#;s Service Shop Directory can show you the top-rated mechanics in your area.

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