Reasons Car AC Isn't Working
Here in Houston, a working air conditioner in your car isn't really optional -- not if you don't want to get to your destination in a puddle of sweat. In fact, a car parked in the sun can get so hot it becomes downright dangerous inside! For everyone's comfort and safety, you need an effective A/C system. If the air coming from your climate vents has become merely cool-ish rather than cold, you've probably got a problem with the A/C system. Here are six of the most common reasons why the A/C might stop working in your ride.
6. Burned-Out Blower Motor
Is the A/C blowing warm through the vents in your car when it should be blowing cold? Or, is there no air coming through the vents at all? If it's the latter, you might just have a burned-out blower fan motor. This problem will also prevent the heater from working, too. To force air through the climate vents, an electric blower fan behind the dash spins into action based on the speed you choose. But, if you can't get the blower fan to kick in at all, the motor may have burned out. Alternatively, there might be an electrical problem preventing the motor from turning on, such as a failed blower motor resistor or a blown fuse.
5. Refrigerant Leak
Over time, the refrigerant that makes your car's A/C system blow nice and cold through the vents will leak out of the system. If a component becomes damaged, it could begin to leak out much faster. If you find that your car's A/C comes through the vents just fine, but it isn't getting as cold as it should, the system may be out of refrigerant. You'll want to have the system checked for leaks, and then have fresh refrigerant added to the system. Once the AC system has been professionally recharged, it should blow cold once again.
4. Failed Cooling Fans
The A/C system does a whole lot more than push cold air into the cabin through the vents. It also pulls hot air out of the cabin via the evaporator. Then, the heat is expelled from the system at the condenser. A cooling fan (or fans) will blow air across the condenser when the A/C system is working hard. If the cooling fans fail, whether they become stuck due to debris, the motor burns out, or the drive belt fails, the system won't be able to get rid of the heat in your car as effectively. If you can identify the cooling fans and the condenser under the hood, you might try turning the car on and putting the A/C on full blast and watching the cooling fans to see if they come on. If they don't, you'll need a repair.
3. Damaged/Corroded A/C Condenser
If the fans are working fine, but air conditioning performance still isn't what you expect, the condenser itself might be the problem. The condenser can rust and corrode over time, causing a restriction of refrigerant flow or a leak. Debris in the car's front grill can even restrict airflow and keep the A/C from working its best.
2. Bad A/C Compressor
If all of these parts are in working order, you may be looking at a bad A/C compressor. This is the centerpiece of your car's air conditioning system. It compresses the refrigerant so it can expand and draw heat out of the car, and it also pushes the refrigerant through the system. It's typically a belt-driven accessory, meaning it gets power from the engine via an accessory belt. If the A/C compressor pulley becomes damaged, the belt slips or snaps, or the compressor simply wears out internally, the whole A/C system will stop working. One of our technicians can take a look to see if you need a new accessory belt or need the compressor replaced.
1. Dirty Cabin Air Filter
Believe it or not, simply replacing the cabin air filter could restore your vehicle's A/C performance! If the cabin air filter is too clogged, not enough airflow will reach the evaporator, which is what draws excess heat out of the cabin. Even if the A/C system blows cold, a dirty cabin air filter could mean your vehicle stays warmer, longer than it should.
As you've probably gathered by now, the air conditioning system in your Volkswagen is one of the most complex and sophisticated ones on the whole vehicle! If you want professional help, schedule a visit to the Archer VW service center. Our experienced, factory-trained pros can diagnose your vehicle's A/C woes quickly and correctly so you can enjoy a comfortable drive.