Go Time Auto Repair

My AC is not blowing cold

Nine times out of ten the system is low on refrigerant because of a slow leak at a seal, a hose, or the condenser up front. Once the charge drops, the air goes from cold to cool to warm, and the compressor may stop cycling to protect itself. The other usual suspects are a compressor clutch or relay, a condenser fan that quit, or a blend door stuck on heat.

Book AC service (786) 884-4889
Urgency
This week is fine
What to do right now

What to do right now

  1. 1Check the small things first: recirculation on, temperature all the way cold, fan on high. If the cabin filter is packed with dust, airflow drops and it feels warm.
  2. 2Look at the condenser in front of the radiator. Road debris and bent fins block it. Do not pressure wash it; low pressure only.
  3. 3Note what the compressor does. With the engine running and AC on max, the center of the pulley should spin. If it never engages, or engages and drops out every few seconds, tell us. That points us at the cause fast.
  4. 4Do not keep adding canned refrigerant. One can might get you a week. The oil and sealer in some cans make the real repair harder.
What it usually is

What it usually is

AC repair

Leak test with dye and an electronic sniffer, repair the leaking part, vacuum and recharge to the exact weight the car calls for.

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Electrical repair

If the compressor never turns on, it can be a relay, a pressure switch, a fuse, or the clutch coil, not the compressor itself.

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Cooling system

A condenser fan that does not spin means the AC works on I-95 and dies in the Palmetto crawl. That is a fan motor or its control circuit.

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Questions people ask

Why does the AC blow cold on the highway but warm in traffic?
Airflow. On the highway, air rushes through the condenser and it sheds heat. In stop-and-go on the Palmetto, the electric fan has to do that job. If the fan is weak or dead, pressure climbs and the compressor shuts off until you move again.
Can you just recharge it?
We can, but if it went low there is a leak, and a recharge alone comes back warm. We add dye and find the leak first so you pay once. If the system is only slightly low after many years, a recharge with a leak check is a fair place to start.
Is it safe to drive with the AC not working?
Mechanically the car is fine. The problem is the driver in August. A compressor that has seized can also throw the serpentine belt, which takes the alternator and sometimes the water pump with it, so if you hear a squeal or grinding when the AC clicks on, come in.
Does the smell from the vents mean anything?
A musty smell is mold on the evaporator, common here with the humidity. That is a cleaning, not a mechanical failure. A sweet smell can be coolant from the heater core, which is a different repair.

Ready to book?

Pick a time. We text you the written price before any work starts.

Book AC service(786) 884-4889