Why Is My Car Air Con Not Blowing Cold?

Low refrigerant is the most common cause

Car air con systems lose a little refrigerant every year, even with nothing wrong. After a few years there is not enough left to cool the air properly, and the air con blows cool rather than cold, then barely cool at all.

A regas removes what is left, tests the system holds a vacuum, then refills it with the right amount of refrigerant and oil. If the system has simply run low over time, that is usually all it needs.

When it is a leak

If the air con was regassed recently and has stopped working again within weeks or months, there is a leak. Common spots are the condenser at the front of the car, which takes hits from stones, along with pipes and seals.

Regassing a leaking system just lets the new refrigerant escape, so we find the leak first.

Other faults that stop it cooling

The compressor does the work of pumping refrigerant round. If it or its clutch fails, the system will not cool no matter how much gas is in it. Electrical faults, such as a fuse, relay or pressure sensor, can also stop the compressor switching on.

Sometimes the cold air is being made but not reaching you, because a blend door behind the dashboard has stuck on the heat side.

Use it in winter too

Air con is not just for summer. It dries the air, so it clears a misted windscreen much faster on cold, damp mornings. Running it for a few minutes every week or two also keeps the seals in the system from drying out.

Your car uses one of two refrigerant types, R134a on older cars and R1234yf on most newer ones. We can regas both.

Air con regas in Smethwick

ER Automotive regases and repairs car air con on Cranford Street, Smethwick, with a vacuum and leak test before refilling. Call 0121 461 6097 or book online.