How to Diagnose a Non Working Air Conditioning in a Car Three Methods:Collecting Initial InformationDiagnosing Air Flow ProblemsDiagnosing Air Temperature Problems Driving around on a hot day in a car without a working air conditioner can be uncomfortable and even dangerous in extreme heat. Diagnosing the reason that your air conditioning isn't working will help you determine whether the problem is one that you can fix yourself or if you need to take it to a repair shop OBD2 Scanner. You are also less likely to be taken advantage of at a repair shop if you already know why your AC is not working. Method 1 of 3: Collecting Initial Information 1. Turn the air conditioning on while the car is running. The air conditioner won't run properly unless your engine is running. The best setting for diagnosis is"fresh air"(not re-circulated) with the air blowing out of the center vents in the dash and the AC turned on. Start with the fan speed turned to its highest setting. If your car has a"Max AC"setting,select that option. 2. Listen for unusual noises coming from the AC. Noise could indicate that there is a problem with your compressor and that it needs repair or replacing. 3. Feel the air coming out of the vents. You will need to know if the air is cold,room temperature,or hotter than the air around it. Also note if it starts cold but turns warmer,or if it is usually warm but blows cold intermittently. 4. Notice the air pressure. Turn the air pressure to the high and low settings and see if the airflow changes like it normally does. 5. Smell the air coming from the vents. If there are unusual smells,you could have a leak. You may also need to change your cabin air filter Car Tools store. 6. Inspect your car's fuses. Check your owner's manual for the location of your car's fuse panel,as it may be under the hood,in the trunk,or even in the driver's foot well area. A blown fuse can cause your AC to stop working. Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing Air Flow Problems 1. Check all of the vents. Be sure that air pressure is coming out of the vents that you have selected. Move the vent selector to see if the air moves to the proper vents. If changing the selected vent does not alter the flow of air,you likely have a mode door problem,which will require replacing the doors inside the dash that determine the direction of the air flow. The doors are known as mode doors,blend doors,or actuator doors. Sometimes an AC system with a mode door problem could be working fine,but the air flow is being directed somewhere else,like back out to the engine,instead of into the car. 2. Look at your cabin air filter.Your car should be running with the AC on to check the compressor clutch. The compressor looks like a small motor with a large wheel on the end. The wheel (which is the compressor clutch) should be spinning. If it is not spinning,you have a problem with your compressor. 3. Check the tension on the belt of the compressor. It should be tight. If it is loose,you need a new compressor belt. 4. Find any coolant system leaks. One of the most common AC temperature problems is low refrigerant. The AC system is closed,so refrigerant should not be lost unless there is a leak. Look for oily residue on or around hoses that attach AC components together. Oily spots may indicate a refrigerant leak. You may consider using an electronic leak detector,which can detect much smaller quantities of refrigerant. There are also some testers that use dye,UV light,and protective glasses to find leaks. If you do find a leak,you will likely need to hire a professional to repair the leak. You will probably need new parts too,as many of the components cannot be repaired or patched. 5. Check for freezing. If your AC blows cold initially but then stops being cold after some use,it could be freezing. Excess air and moisture in the system may lead components to freeze (literally). Turning the system off for a while and letting it thaw will temporarily solve the problem. If the problem is persistent,you may need your system to be flushed or evacuated with a vacuum pump.
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