air conditioning

So my air conditioning hasn't been working right.. it had when out.. my uncle fixed it but when he fixed it, he fixed it to where it would turn on and off but would have to be plugged in and unplugged from under the dashboard. my fan doesn't turn on and of by the knobs. it went out again. my uncle had to replace my alternator and for some reason my air conditioning started working again but still had to be plugged in and unplugged from the under the dashboard. when ever I hit a bump or sometimes don't hit a bump the fan make this rattling sound and the vibration is hard to where yo
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. From the description you have provided, there is a combination of problems concerning your vehicle’s air conditioning system. The electrical bypass your Uncle incorporated, should be corrected first. Not knowing, what was done electrically to bypass the controls requires inspection. It could be, the a/c control panel is faulty. The loud noise and vibration from the fan, is most likely, a bad blower motor. I recommend your vehicle’s air conditioning problems be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician from YourMechanic.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Reasons a Chevrolet Impala AC Isn`t Working. The most common reasons a Chevrolet Impala ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
The low side AC port location is the first thing to find when you are looking for how to put freon in a car. Once you find the 2005 Impala AC low pressure port cap, hook up the can of refrigerant to the low pressure port. When your compressor kicks on, add freon to the correct pressure.
The average cost for a Chevrolet Impala AC Compressor Replacement is between $810 and $925. Labor costs are estimated between $139 and $176 while parts are priced between $671 and $749.
If your car`s air conditioning isn`t blowing cold air at all (or it tries, then turns warm), you could have a clogged expansion valve, a faulty compressor clutch, a leak, or a malfunctioning fuse in the system.
Your vehicle`s AC not working is most likely caused by a freon leak or a failing compressor. While these are the simple to spot reasons for the air-conditioning not working inside your car, it could also be anything as simple as a dirty cabin filter or a bad belt.
Your vehicle`s air-conditioning not working is likely caused by a failing compressor or a freon leak. While these are the most obvious reasons for your air-conditioning not working inside your vehicle, it might be anything as simple as a bad belt or a dirty cabin air filter.
If you notice a leak, you will know it`s Freon if it appears as a `thin` greasy substance. These leaks often appear under the hood around the compressor, inside the cabin, or leaking under your vehicle.
Usually, it is a quick fix, but sometimes the failure can be caused by a much bigger problem. The most expensive part of an AC unit to replace and repair is the air compressor. Today, our AC Techs discuss everything you need to know about air compressors and why they are so expensive to repair!
The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. If your air is blowing cool but not cold, the problem could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge your AC.
A typical vehicle will have multiple fuses connected to the operation of the AC unit. To locate the correct AC fuse(s) in your vehicle`s fuse box—and the fuse box itself—refer to your owner`s manual. You can usually tell a fuse is blown if the wire within the fuse is visibly melted or burned.
Check for bugs, dirt, or leaves blocking the condenser. Check the cabin air filter make sure it isn`t clogged. If you have a manifold gauge, check the pressure settings to make sure not too high or too low. THE AC COMPRESSOR.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
One of the most common causes is a clogged air filter, which can restrict the airflow and prevent the air conditioner from cooling properly. Other causes can include a malfunctioning thermostat, a refrigerant leak, a problem with the compressor, leaking ductwork, or leaking windows.
Most cars hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about 2—3 12oz cans), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely hold more. Check your vehicle manual for the system capacity for your specific vehicle.
Your car`s air-conditioning stopped working most likely because of a freon leak or a bad compressor. While these causes may be the simple to spot reasons that your air-conditioning isn`t cooling in your vehicle, a dirty cabin filter or a bad belt could also be the problem.
If your air conditioning unit has stopped working, there are many possible reasons that can explain why. It could be your thermostat, your air filter, a problem with the condenser or compressor, or it may just be time to replace the unit, especially if it`s over 10 years old.
A car`s air conditioning should be recharged every two years or so. However, if you notice any signs that your AC needs to be recharged, it`s important to take your car in as soon as possible. Taking care of your car`s AC is important for several reasons.
If your air conditioning unit has stopped working, there are many possible reasons that can explain why. It could be your thermostat, your air filter, a problem with the condenser or compressor, or it may just be time to replace the unit, especially if it`s over 10 years old.
If your air conditioning unit has stopped working, there are many possible reasons that can explain why. It could be your thermostat, your air filter, a problem with the condenser or compressor, or it may just be time to replace the unit, especially if it`s over 10 years old.
Common reasons include dirty or blocked air filters. In other cases, there can be issues with your compressor or refrigerant. This can lead to your ac not blowing air, not turning on, or it just doesn`t seem to be working properly.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Hot air mixed with cold blows from air conditioning
ANSWER : Hey there. You will most likely have to have a mechanic bypass the heater coolant lines to have this resolved. Your A/C may not be controlling the air flow inside the evaporator correctly out of the vents and may be the blend door actuator stuck in the heat position. Have the AC system diagnosed first before bypassing the heater.

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Air conditioning is blowing hot air – car stalls when A/C is on
ANSWER : In order to diagnose all the different problems you have, I having the A/C pressures checked to see if the system is low on refrigerant from a leaking compressor or another component. The rough idle may be due to a dirty throttle body and idle control system. If you would like to have this checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the A/C and rough idle in order to proceed with the proper repairs.

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My 2003 Hyundai air conditioning works fine but often starts blowing hot air, especially when idling.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a condenser fan that may not be cooling the AC condenser properly. As you may know, the job of the AC condenser fan is to cool down the AC condenser as it generates a lot of heat during the course of its primary function, which is to convert the AC gas refrigerant into a liquid form, a process that generates a significant amount of heat. As the AC condenser fan blows cool air across the condenser, this allows the condenser to remain cool, keeping the pressure down in the AC system which helps to generate cooler air. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.

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Air conditioning doesn’t work – 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
ANSWER : Check the fuse for the heater/AC blower motor. If the fuse is good, then either the blower motor resistor or the blower motor itself is suspect. The blower motor resistor provides for multiple speeds for the blower motor. A professional mechanic, like YourMechanic, can diagnose and replace the failing component.

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Air conditioning blowing mildly cold air on the coldest setting, turned off/on again, now blowing cold air, should it be checked?
ANSWER : If you are getting ready for a long trip and suspect the cooling fan may be not coming on for the radiator and a/c then you should have the a/c and cooling system performanced checked before trip. Nothing worse than breaking down when out of town in a strange area.

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air conditioner not blowing air from dash vents, but blowing air from side vents
ANSWER : A few different items can cause the air to not blow out of the dash vents. The most common are a blend door or a control switch. The best method for the AC diagnosis feature can be found in the vehicles owners manual. I recommend having your AC checked by a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to have the problem diagnosed and repaired correctly.

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Cold mist/smoke like air comes out of the air vents when cold air is on.
ANSWER : If you are using regular outside air a/c instead of recirculated air you may be getting a large amount of outside air humidity and can cause a mist to come out of the a/c vents. You should make sure the a/c evaporator drain is cleared and drains freely or the water in the a/c cannot drain fast enough and the blower will pick up the water and blow it out the vents.

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Air conditioning smells bad when car enables autostop feature
ANSWER : Your vehicle is new enough that I couldn’t find much information on the air conditioning system. I’m guessing your vehicle probably has a dual scroll AC compressor in which one scroll is driven off the engine and the other is electric. In order to prevent lack of cooling at idle, this design is used in hybrids and vehicle with start/stop ability. So, the lack of cooling may be due to a problem with this system. The foul smell by be result of bacteria accumulating on the AC components. Replacing the cabin filter may help with this problem somewhat. I suggest you have a trained professional diagnose your vehicle firsthand to determine the exact cause of the smell.

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