Have you noticed that your vehicle's air conditioner is blowing hot air? If so, it will help to know what to investigate so you can get to the bottom of this problem. Here are four things that you can inspect on your own.
Check for Sounds and Smells
When you turn on your vehicle's air conditioner, you should hear a loud click coming from underneath the hood. This is the sound of the compressor turning on, and it is completely normal to hear it. If you hear a rumbling sound when you turn on the AC, then something is wrong with the compressor and it could need a replacement. One noise that you do not want to hear is a hissing sound when the air conditioner is low. This means that the system is low on refrigerant and it doesn't have enough in the system.
Pay attention to any odors coming from your vents when the air conditioner is on. Does it smell a bit musty? This means that there can be mildew or bacteria in the system. If there is a refrigerant leak, that refrigerant can also be leaking into the vehicle and causing you to smell a bad odor.
Check the Temperature
Know that you should also check the temperature of the air that is coming out of the vents. All you need to do is place any thermometer into the vent with the fan on a low or medium speed. Let the air conditioner run for a while, then put the air into recirculation mode. If you have a vehicle with a thermostat where you set a specific temperature, you'll want the air coming out of the vent to match what is set on the thermostat. If the temperature is higher than your settings, then the air conditioner can't keep up with producing cold air.
If you don't have a car with a thermostat, then look at the overall temperature and compare it to what you know feels comfortable. For example, anything above 80℉ is going to feel uncomfortable and do a poor job at cooling you down. Keep in mind that the temperature will fluctuate a little bit since the compressor cuts in and out to maintain a comfortable air temperature and prevent the compressor from freezing up.
Do you believe that the air conditioner isn't working properly? Take your vehicle into an auto shop for auto air conditioning system services.
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