Look and listen for the compressor clutch engaging on the AC pulley. You can now start the engine back up and return to the engine bay.īe sure to leave the AC set to high or MAX and the blower motor fan on high. Step 3: Listen and inspect the compressor. If the belt is missing, or if the belt is loose, inspect the belt tensioner, replace and install components and recheck the AC for proper function. If the belt is indeed there, push down on the belt with your fingers to see if the belt has come loose. This check is best done with the engine off and the key out of the ignition. Some vehicles have a belt just for the AC compressor. Now we will go under the hood and check the AC belt. As we mentioned earlier, debris blocking air flow can prevent an AC from functioning properly. You will first want to check your grill and bumper, as well as the area around the condenser, and make sure there is not anything obstructing air flow. Step 1: Check for any airflow obstruction. Part 2 of 3: Checking outside the car and under the hood A properly working air conditioner will drop the temperature in the vehicle on average 30-40 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.Īll of these reasons can be cause for a non working air conditioner and would require the enlisting of a certified mechanic as your next step. Tip: Ambient (outside) temperature, as well as air flow in general, also plays an important role in the air conditioner working properly.Typically, air conditioners will blow on cold as low as 28 degrees F but on a really warm day where temperatures soar into the high 90s, the air may only blow as low as 50-60 degrees F. This will give you an idea of the temperature of the air that the AC is producing. Use a thermometer, such as a meat thermometer, and stick it inside the air vent near the driver side window. Next you will want to check the temperature of the air that the AC is producing. Is it weak, even at the highest settings? If you are experiencing a weak force, then you will want to check your car’s cabin air filter and make sure there is nothing obstructing the airway. If you are feeling air and the blower motor is allowing the fans to produce air at all speeds, you next want to feel the actual force of the air coming through. Sometimes blower motors and/or their resistors will fail and stop pushing both hot and cold air through the vents. If you do not feel any air or if you only feel air coming through the vents on certain settings, the problem may lie with the AC’s blower motor or the blower motor resistor. If you cannot feel any air coming through, try switching between the different speed settings and feeling for any kind of air coming through the vents. Verify if you are able to feel air blowing through the vents. If it does not turn on, it is an indication that either the switch itself is malfunctioning or the AC circuit is not getting power. Verify if this light turns on when you reach MAX A/C. The AC button has a light on the button that illuminates when the air conditioner is turned on. Turn the car’s fan motor on high and press the button to turn on the AC. Part 1 of 3: Checking the inside of the car This will ensure you are also proceeding as safely as possible. Not only will they help you diagnose the problem, but they will also help you have a better grasp on the workings of your car’s AC system, resulting in a repair that is not only speedy but accurate.īefore starting any of the following steps towards diagnosis, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is on, with the engine running, with both the gear in park and the parking brake engaged. Luckily there are just a few simple steps that can assist you with diagnosing your vehicle with a non-working AC. It can be very frustrating to have your car’s AC go out on you, especially on a hot day when you need it most.
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