Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
The air conditioning stopped working the other day in my 2008 Toyota Sienna. I really hate when that happens because you only discover a broken air conditioner when it’s hot enough to want air conditioning. The van only has about 85,000 miles on it. It’s been hot all week. What’s the fastest way to get this fixed?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Greetings and thank you for writing in with this question! A/C problems can be caused by a number of failed components. Does the vehicle have rear A/C? If so, does the front work while the rear doesn’t? This would indicate that the mechanical portion of the system is functioning properly and that the failure is likely electrical. If the entire system is inoperative, it could be due to a failed fuse, compressor, serpentine belt, belt tensioner, electric fan, or condenser. Unfortunately, when A/C systems fail, the repairs can be expensive. I wouldn’t recommend attempting to charge the system with parts store refrigerant. This could cause further damage to the system and can contaminate the existing refrigerant. The fastest way to get your A/C fixed is to contact a local mechanic (like those with YourMechanic) and have the system inspected and diagnosed.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common reasons a Toyota Sienna 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.
Common Reasons AC Doesn`t Run Cold
The most common causes of broken air conditioning leaks or compression issues. If you are feeling cool — but not cold — air, the issue could be a clogged filter, a problem with the cooling fan, signs of radiator trouble, or it could simply mean it`s time to recharge your AC.
One of the most common reasons your car AC is blowing hot air is because of a refrigerant issue—specifically, a loss of refrigerant. This loss of refrigerant can occur either due to a leak or because your car`s refrigerant levels are too low.
AC Works Intermittently: When the air goes from cool to warm to cool again, you`re experiencing intermittent problems. This is often due to a clog in the system, a failed compressor or compressor clutch, a faulty condenser fan, a clog in the system, or the actuator directing airflow has failed.
Perhaps the most common cause of AC issues is clogged filters. Dirt, pet hair, pollen and dust can clog your filters. When filters get clogged, they begin to restrict the flow of air through your AC. The result is that the AC doesn`t cool your indoor air effectively.
You might be low on refrigerant or have a worn out motor or a dirty evaporator coil. Not all AC problems demonstrate themselves with loud sounds or funny odors coming from your system. Some of them simply reduce the AC`s ability to run, and all you notice is less cool air in the house.
If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit`s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system! If that`s the case, your air conditioner will continue to run and blow out warm air, trying to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
REASONS YOUR AC IS BLOWING WARM AIR
Here is why; Dirty filter: A dirty filter limits airflow through the system, eventually straining your AC and making it blow warm air. Clogged/dirty outside AC unit: Both the outdoor and indoor AC units work together to supply cool air during summer.
The most common reasons could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge (regas) your air conditioning.
A very common cause of an air conditioner not being cold is that the refrigerant needs to be recharged. You can charge it yourself with a charger kit, but you may be more comfortable bringing it to the shop for an easy fix. You can recognize this symptom if you can feel cold air but it is not actually blowing.
Your vehicle`s air-conditioner not working is most likely caused by a failing compressor or a freon leak. Though these are the most obvious reasons that the AC isn`t working in your car, a dirty cabin filter or a bad compressor belt could also be the problem.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
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.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
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.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
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.
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.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
ANSWER : Greetings and thank you for writing in with this question! A/C problems can be caused by a number of failed components. Does the vehicle have rear A/C? If so, does the front work while the rear doesn’t? This would indicate that the mechanical portion of the system is functioning properly and that the failure is likely electrical. If the entire system is inoperative, it could be due to a failed fuse, compressor, serpentine belt, belt tensioner, electric fan, or condenser. Unfortunately, when A/C systems fail, the repairs can be expensive. I wouldn’t recommend attempting to charge the system with parts store refrigerant. This could cause further damage to the system and can contaminate the existing refrigerant. The fastest way to get your A/C fixed is to contact a local mechanic (like those with YourMechanic) and have the system inspected and diagnosed.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
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.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
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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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 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.
Read Full Q/A … : Air conditioning is useless now and it’s summer
