EN
MY
Your car aircon not cold? Malaysia is known for its hot weather. That’s why it is important to have a properly functioning car air conditioning system. When the car’s air conditioning is not cooling, it can make driving uncomfortable. The air conditioning system is an essential component for comfortable driving, especially during long drives. In today’s Qoala article, we will explain further why your car’s air conditioning may not be cooling.
Having a car air conditioning that is not cooling can be a problem, especially if you live in a hot and congested city with roads filled with exhaust fumes from surrounding vehicles. It becomes even worse when young children are in the car without properly functioning air conditioning, as it can lead to heat strokes. Imagine planning a trip to the countryside during midday, and the car air conditioning is not cooling, it can ruin the mood and cause discomfort.
Furthermore, the car air conditioning system is an important and potentially expensive system to repair if significant damage occurs. Therefore, it is important to identify the causes and learn how to prevent car air conditioning from malfunctioning.
Causes of Car Air Conditioning Not Cooling
In general, there are various reasons why the car air conditioning suddenly stops cooling or gradually becomes less effective. To identify the causes of a car air conditioning not cooling, here are the things you need to know:
1. Faulty Compressor
The main cause of a car’s air conditioning not cooling is a malfunctioning compressor. The compressor is a crucial component of the car’s air conditioning system. A faulty compressor can result in issues such as reduced cooling or, in severe cases, no cold air at all. If your car’s air conditioning is not cooling due to a faulty compressor, it needs to be replaced promptly, which can be expensive.
2. Insufficient Refrigerant
Another cause is the car’s air conditioning system having insufficient refrigerant. If this happens, you need to add refrigerant, also known as a supplementary refrigerant, to the air conditioning system to ensure it produces cold air.
3. Clogged Filter Dryer
A clogged filter dryer can also be a cause of a car’s air conditioning not cooling. A clogged and dirty dryer can result in high system pressure. Your car’s filter dryer may get clogged due to accumulated dirt and lack of regular maintenance.
4. Dirty Cooling Coil
If your car’s air conditioning is making loud noises but not delivering cold air, it indicates a dirty cooling coil. When the cooling coil becomes excessively dirty, the airflow gets restricted. A dirty cooling coil can occur when it becomes filled with debris and dust. This blockage prevents the airflow from entering and causes the car air conditioning to not cool.
5. Faulty expansion valve
Another reason for the air conditioning not cooling is a faulty expansion valve. It can either be stuck open or stuck closed due to the presence of dirt. This problem requires timely maintenance as it can cause severe damage to the entire car air conditioning system.
6. Leaking Air Conditioning Gas
A common cause of a car’s air conditioning not cooling is a leak in the air conditioning gas. When there is a leak, the air conditioning gas in the system decreases or depletes. This situation prevents the compressor from functioning properly.
To prevent this from happening, you can perform a self-check. Simply use a key to puncture the valve nipple and then press the key down. If there is still gas in the air conditioning, you will feel the gas coming out. If there is no gas or a noticeable decrease, it indicates a leak. You can also use a UV Gas Leak Detector to detect any leaks.
7. Faulty Condenser Fan
A faulty condenser fan can also cause the car’s air conditioning to not cool. The condenser fan is an important component of the car’s air conditioning system that helps lower the temperature and pressure in the system to convert the air conditioning gas into a liquid. One sign of a faulty condenser fan is when the car’s air conditioning only cools when the car is in motion and stops cooling when the car is stationary.
You can perform a visual check by opening the car’s hood and observing whether the condenser fan is spinning or not. If it’s not spinning, it indicates a faulty condenser fan. However, if the condenser fan is still spinning, it could be due to other issues such as a blown fuse, faulty relay, faulty fan motor, or an old and worn-out cabin air filter.
8. Dirty Cabin Air Filter
A dirty cabin air filter can cause various problems, not just a car air conditioning not cooling but also damage to the cooling coil. If this occurs, you will need to spend a significant amount on repairs.
Good Car Air Conditioning Maintenance Practices
Car air conditioning, or air conditioning, is one of the important elements in a car. Therefore, consistent maintenance is necessary. To ensure that your car’s air conditioning remains cool and trouble-free, here are the things you need to do:
Clean the Air Filter
You can also clean the car’s air filter without professional assistance. Most modern cars today have the air filter located in the compartment space on the dashboard in the front passenger seating area. This compartment space is easy to open, making it convenient for you to remove and clean any debris that obstructs the airflow of the air filter. After cleaning, make sure the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it into the compartment space.
Remove Foreign Objects
If you park your car in an uncovered area, it is advisable to frequently check the front windshield area. If there are dry leaves or any other debris stuck there, you need to remove them to prevent them from being sucked into your car’s air conditioning system. If they enter the system, they can cause a blockage in the air conditioning system.
Turn on the Car’s Air Conditioning Periodically
If you rarely use your car, you need to turn on the car’s air conditioner at least once a week for 10 minutes. Set it to the highest fan speed and the coolest setting. This way, you can help maintain the air conditioning gas pressure and ensure that the compressor is functioning and in good condition.
Check the Compressor’s Clutch Magnet
To ensure that your car’s air conditioning is in good condition, you need to inspect the compressor’s clutch magnet. If the rubber part of the clutch magnet compressor has melted, it needs to be replaced with a new clutch magnet set.
The rubber of the clutch magnet compressor can melt and get damaged when exposed to excessive heat pressure. It can also get damaged if the compressor oil is not replaced.
Check the Fuse and Relay Compressor
The compressor fuse, also known as A/C Comp, can blow. If it blows, you need to replace it with a new fuse. However, if the new fuse also blows quickly, the problem you are facing is not with the fuse. It is a problem with the compressor magnet circuit short. The compressor relay can be found in the fuse box. If the fuse blows, you can try replacing the compressor relay with a horn relay or any other similar relay available in the fuse box.
If the compressor starts running after the replacement, then the compressor relay is experiencing a problem. Replace it with a new relay. If the compressor still fails, then proceed to the next step.
Check the Gas Quantity
Sudden loss of cooling in the car air conditioning can also be caused by insufficient or no gas quantity. When there is no air conditioning gas, the compressor cannot work. You can check this yourself. The method is simple, just use a key to puncture the valve nipple and then press the key firmly. If there is still gas, you will feel the gas coming out. If there is no gas or it is low, you will feel the difference. You can also use a UV Gas Leak Detector to help detect any leaks.
Check the Pressure Switch and Current Supply
For example, if you have followed the above steps and your car’s air conditioning is still not cool, you can proceed to bypass the pressure switch. The pressure switch is usually located near the liquid pipe, which connects the condenser to the expansion valve and cooling coil. When the pressure switch is damaged, the compressor will not function.
As for the current supply, if the above parts have been checked and you still cannot find the cause, you can check the current supply at the wire socket to the air conditioning compressor.
If the current supply is functioning, it indicates that the clutch magnet compressor is damaged. You need to use a test lamp to check this current supply.
Perform Regular Inspections
A good air conditioning system starts with regular maintenance. It is recommended to get an inspection from a professional at least once a year. This is important for identifying any problems that may occur in your car’s air conditioning system.
Important elements of the air conditioning system, such as the cooling coil and car compressor, also need to be inspected and undergo cleaning processes to maintain good performance and a long lifespan.
4 Signs of Car Air Conditioning Compressor Damage
- Grinding noise when the car air conditioning is turned on
- Rough sound from the air conditioning compressor
- Engine stalls when the air conditioning switch is turned on
- Damage to the clutch magnet
Car Air Conditioning Smells Bad and Musty?
The problem of a musty smell in car air conditioning can have several causes. There are smells like a carcass, sour odor, musty smell, damp smell, and various others. When the air conditioning smells, it is certainly uncomfortable while driving. Here are some reasons why a car’s air conditioning can produce odor:
Dirty Evaporator
For your information, the car’s evaporator is a favorite breeding ground for mold. Mold thrives on the evaporator because of its moist surface when the car’s air conditioning is turned on. With the humid conditions, mold easily multiplies. When mold grows on the evaporator surface, it directly produces an unpleasant odor that makes you feel uncomfortable when you smell the air coming out of the car’s air conditioner.
Excessive Use of Fragrance Oil
Excessive use of fragrance oil can also cause your car’s air conditioning to emit an unpleasant smell. If too much fragrance oil is used, the chemicals in the fragrance oil will stick to the car’s surfaces. When left for too long, it will emit an unpleasant smell.
Wet Carpets and Car Seats
If your car’s carpet or car seats are wet, it can cause the car’s air conditioning to smell. This can happen when you bring drinks into the car and accidentally spill them. However, when the spilled water is not cleaned up promptly, it will emit a foul odor that mixes with the cool air emitted by the air conditioner.
Dirty Air Conditioning Filter
Furthermore, the cause of your car’s air conditioning odor could be a dirty air conditioning filter.
This may seem like a minor issue and you may not often notice it, but if you don’t clean the dust that accumulates on your car’s air filter, it will produce a very unpleasant smell for you to enjoy.
Car Aircon Not Cold: Bad Habits That Can Quickly Damage Car Air Conditioning
While driving, there are several habits that we may not be aware of that can quickly damage the car’s air conditioning. Here are some other causes that we may not realize can lead to air conditioning problems:
Smoking in the Car
Many smokers smoke while driving. Even if they open the windows while smoking, cigarette smoke, and dust can penetrate the air filter. This can cause the car air conditioning filter to become dirty quickly, affecting its cooling efficiency.
Turning off the Engine while the Car AC is Still On
This bad habit is often practiced by many car drivers. Turning off the engine while the car’s air conditioning is still active can shorten the lifespan of your car’s air conditioning system. The battery has to work harder when the engine is just turned on, and its performance may not be optimal, leading to an unstable electric current that can affect the air conditioning system.
Neglecting Cabin Cleanliness
Neglected trash and dirt not only dirty the cabin and leave dust, but they also affect the air conditioning system. Dust and debris can enter and exit the air conditioning filter, causing the components to be easily damaged.
Keeping the Windows Open
The habit of keeping the windows open for too long while the air conditioning is running can contribute to air conditioning problems. It can make the compressor work harder to achieve the ideal cabin temperature. This indirectly can cause damage to your car’s air conditioning system.
These are among the bad habits that have become common. They should be avoided to ensure that your car’s air conditioning functions properly and does not deteriorate quickly.
Driving without air conditioning can be very uncomfortable, especially in our hot climate. Before you have to spend a lot of money to repair a damaged car air conditioning system, consider regular maintenance. What about the rest of the car if only the air conditioning is damaged? Regular maintenance is necessary to avoid such problems.
That’s all for this Qoala sharing. Hopefully, this article can answer all your questions. Looking for the best car insurance in Malaysia? Just renew with Qoala. Easy and fast!
