What To Do If Air Won’t Come Out of Your Vents
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Being able to turn on your air conditioning and stay cool on a hot day is something many of us take for granted. Whether in the house or the car, the air-conditioning unit is usually a part of our lives that we don’t think about until something goes wrong and we can’t use it anymore.
If this happens, it helps to have a rough idea regarding what caused it, as sometimes, you can fix it yourself. It’s also important to recognize signs of a more serious issue so you can call a professional for help. This guide can help you identify and understand some of the most common issues that may affect your car’s air-conditioning unit.
Low Flow Coming From Your Vents
One of the most frequent issues with a car air-conditioning unit is not getting enough air through its vents to make a real difference. If you’re getting low airflow from vents, multiple issues may be the cause. Some are easy to fix in your garage, while others typically require professional assistance. Our team at Sanger Chevrolet GMC has listed the most common ones below.
Dirty Cabin Air Filter
This is probably the most common cause of issues with air conditioning and is relatively easy to fix. Your car’s cabin air filter keeps dust, pollen, and other harmful particles from entering. Over time, it naturally starts to clog, making it increasingly difficult for the air to pass through and enter your cabin. Air filters usually last between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, but driving on dusty roads may shorten their life span.
If you notice your car’s air-conditioning unit doesn’t have the power it used to, the first thing you should do is check your cabin air filter. It’s usually located somewhere inside your glove box, but your owners manual should have more detailed information regarding its exact location. You may need a screwdriver, although many vehicles make it easy and have one or two buttons that you can push to open the air filter compartment. Replace it with a new one and try turning on your air conditioning to see if it makes a difference.
Blocked Return Vents
Your car’s air-conditioning unit not only pumps cool air into your cabin but also sucks air out of it. Having something to restrict the air coming out will limit the amount of air coming in, so another thing you should look for is something obstructing your car’s return vents. Find out where they’re located on your car and make sure they’re unobstructed.
Damaged Seals
Unlike the first two potential causes, you probably need a professional to diagnose and fix this one. Your air-conditioning system needs to be fully sealed, and even the tiniest issues with the membranes, gaskets, and adhesives that connect its components can lead to weak airflow. It will also let moisture enter the system, which can cause even more damage. If you notice a lack of airflow even after changing your cabin air filter and making sure the vents aren’t obstructed, you should have a professional check the entire system.
Blower Malfunction
An issue with your blower may also cause a lack of airflow. It may have blown a fuse, have a defective connection, or simply suffer from normal wear and tear. Besides having weak or no airflow, another common symptom that may indicate a blower malfunction is hearing strange noises when turning your air conditioning on. Although you can replace the blower yourself, having a professional do it is usually a better idea.
Vents Not Blowing Cold Air
If your airflow is fine but the air coming out is not as cool as it should be, there are multiple potential causes. Some common ones include the following:
- You’re low on refrigerant: Air-conditioning units use a special fluid called refrigerant, which cools the air as it passes through the system. Even a tiny leak can cause it to deplete over time and lead to a lack of cold air coming from your car’s air conditioning.
- Your thermostat isn’t working well: Your car’s thermostat measures cabin temperature and turns your air-conditioning system’s compressor on and off based on how much it needs to run to reach a specific temperature. A faulty thermostat won’t allow your compressor to turn on.
- Your air-conditioning compressor is malfunctioning: Your air-conditioning system’s compressor is a vital component, as it helps distribute refrigerant throughout the system. Various mechanical or electrical issues may cause it to malfunction and stop delivering cool air into the cabin.
- There’s a leak somewhere: Your air-conditioning unit may send cool air to your cabin, but a leak somewhere along the way can warm up the air. This may also result in a lack of proper airflow.
The Air-Conditioning System Doesn’t Work at All
Another issue that may affect your car’s air-conditioning system is it not working at all. This could happen for a wide variety of reasons, such as a faulty wire, broken switch, or blown fuse. Another common reason is your compressor not turning on because it doesn’t have enough refrigerant. Most compressors won’t turn on if they go below a certain refrigerant level.
Having a faulty temperature sensor may also stop the air conditioning from turning on. The sensors send a signal to the air-conditioning unit, and without that signal, the compressor won’t turn on. Since the sensors are typically located deep within the air-conditioning unit, it’s probably a good idea to let a professional assess them and replace them if necessary.
Are You Having Trouble With Your Car’s Air-Conditioning Unit?
If your car’s air-conditioning unit isn’t running like it used to, the most effective solution is letting experienced technicians identify and fix the problem. Here at Sanger Chevrolet GMC, our service professionals are trained to take care of these issues quickly and efficiently. You can also take advantage of our service specials, including a $10 rebate when buying a cabin air filter from us and letting us install it. Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule a service visit at our Sanger, California, service center.
silver and black car air vent by Olav Tvedt is licensed with Unsplash License