The AC will let you know when it malfunctions. Some common symptoms include strange noises and refrigerant leaks. The most common symptom is hot air. You expect the AC to keep you cool on a warm day.
As such, you have every reason to worry when an AC starts blowing hot air. But again, these issues are easy to diagnose. They occur because of relatively straightforward factors, such as leaking refrigerant, faulty condensers, and damaged compressors.
Cars that generate hot air even when the AC is off are far more challenging.
Car Blowing Hot Air Through Vents When AC Is Off – Why?
1). Ram Air
Pressure can build in the intake because of the vehicle’s motion. This is a good thing. According to wiki motors, high-performance cars have an intake manifold system that increases the volume of air in the combustion chamber by pulling air from outside into the motor.
The goal is to elevate the horsepower. The air flowing into the engine will decrease with the car’s speed. But systems of this nature will keep the circulation door closed. An open circulation door is problematic because it allows the air to flow into the cabin, raising the temperature even when the heater is off.
If the hot air won’t respond to the temperature controls, the hot air is flowing into the car from outside.
2). Sunlight
If you leave the car in direct sunlight on a hot day, the sunlight will raise the temperature of the air in the vents. That hot air will blow into the cabin once the car starts moving.
3). Blend Door
Heat is flowing into the cabin from the engine because the blend door is stuck. This will continue even though the heater is off. The blend door mixes cold and warm air. This component can develop faults.
4). Are You Sure The AC Is OFF?
Maybe you don’t understand the controls, or you attempted to deactivate the AC, but the controls malfunctioned. Many vehicles have stuck buttons and knobs. Another notable consideration is an electrical fault.
Electrical faults can prevent you from turning the AC off using conventional means. They can also affect the blend door, especially if this component works with cables, actuators, and knobs on the dashboard. Ensure the heater is well and truly off before consulting an expert.
5). Are You Sure Your Vents Are Blowing Hot Air?
Maybe you’re simply reacting to the high ambient temperatures outside the car. You can test this theory by closing the vents.
It is worth noting that many cars are designed to allow fresh air to flow into the car because it is the safer, healthier option. Therefore, if the exterior temperatures are high, warm air will flow unimpeded into the cabin unless you close the vents or activate the air conditioner.
Is Car AC Blowing Out Hot Air When OFF Is Normal?
This phenomenon is normal to an extent because cars are not airtight. You cannot stop air from entering your vehicle’s internal cabin, even if you roll up the windows. A paper from Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment (David Chalet, Jerome Migaud, Matisse Lesage) uses the term ‘Infiltration’ to describe this phenomenon.
This is because the air from the exterior can penetrate your vehicle using various avenues, especially when you drive at high speed.
This is why the University of California, Riverside, performed research designed to clean the air in a car’s cabin. They realized that a conventional vehicle’s ventilation was not sophisticated enough to protect drivers from dust, pollen, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants.
Cabin filters have a role to play. But you can’t trust them to remove submicrometer particles. A car’s recirculation setting can lower the concentration of particulate matter, especially when you close the windows, but it also allows carbon dioxide to accumulate.
Simply put, you cannot insulate yourself from the world outside by closing a car’s doors and windows. Hot air will find a way to enter the vehicle. This occurrence should only concern you if the hot air blows fervently into the car.
How Do I Fix My Car AC From Blowing Hot Air?
It depends on the factors responsible for the hot air. If the AC is seemingly off, but the hot air is still blowing, you can try the following:
- Activate recirculation mode. The setting will reduce or eliminate the hot air. Setting the mode to intake will produce the opposite result.
- Check the controls. Make sure the heater is truly off. If the heater is on, but the controls won’t respond, ask a mechanic to troubleshoot the electrical system.
- Troubleshoot and repair or replace the blend door actuator. A defective cable or actuator can negatively influence the operations of the blend doors.
- Repair or replace the sensor and motor system if they are responsible for the stuck blend door.
- Don’t leave your car out in the sun on a hot day. If you left the vehicle in the sun, run the fan. You can do this while the AC is off. One other option is to open the windows and doors for a few minutes to eliminate the warm air.
- Turn the knob to ‘Cool’ before you switch the fan off.
- You can fix or replace a heater control valve that won’t shift out of the open position.
If the AC is on and it continues to blow hot air even when you switch the controls to the ‘Cool’ setting, you can deploy the following solutions:
- Look for frayed or burned wires. Damaged wires create electrical problems. They interfere with the AC’s functions. Replace frayed and burned wires.
- The AC cannot work without refrigerant. If the refrigerant leaks or runs out, you should replace it. Otherwise, the AC will continue to blow hot air.
- You need the condenser to cool the refrigerant. If it fails, you can repair or replace it. Some condensers will malfunction because they are clogged. In other words, it is enough to remove dirt and debris.
- The compressor circulates the refrigerant. It can stop working because of a malfunction or wear and tear. If you rarely use your car, you can prevent that wear and tear by running the air conditioner once a month. If it fails, you need a mechanic to replace it.
- The cooling fans can chip and crack. They can also accumulate obstructions such as leaves and pests. The AC can’t generate cold air if the cooling fans are damaged.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix It?
For instance, you can install a new blend door actuator for $400 or less. But that includes labor costs of $170 or more, depending on your location. The actual part costs $130.
You can limit your expenses to $130 if you can replace the parts yourself. Malfunctions related to the electrical system are more challenging. If you need to replace the starter, it could cost you $1000. But you can also get a starter at $300. It depends on the model.
If you need a new alternator, your expenses will range between $290 and $380. Batteries are roughly $250. If you need battery cables, expect to spend as much as $400.
The mechanic will tell you the cost of fixing this problem once they identify the faulty components. For all you know, your AC has a defect. AC repair costs can reach $900.
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