Questions tagged [ac]
Questions about Air conditioning systems - other Heating and ventilation questions should use 'hvac'
694
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Why does my A/C blow foul smelling air when it first turns on?
Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. After a while it seems to go away. I'm not sure if I just ...
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24
votes
3
answers
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Is starting your car with the A/C on bad?
I was always yelled at by my father when I was first starting to drive when I left the A/C on when I turned off the car, and then later turned it back on, with the reasoning that I was ruining / ...
- 592
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votes
1
answer
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A/C loses chill when turning on blower. Why?
Following the guidance from this Q&A, I measured the output temperature of my 2012 Town and Country A/C. Under the test conditions proscribed, with outside temperature of 87°F and 55% relative ...
- 891
21
votes
2
answers
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What are the dangers of refilling your air conditioner yourself?
Both of the Haynes manuals for my cars list refilling the refrigerant in your car as a do it yourself procedure. Both vehicles use R-134a refrigerant and the manual shows them being recharged with a ...
- 15.7k
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votes
6
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Why is car A/C typically less reliable than fridges/freezers?
I just had the A/C in my car die on me again; air coming through the vents with the A/C is just as warm with it turned on as off. However, my fridge/freezer is something I've had for over 5 years and ...
- 283
15
votes
5
answers
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Easiest way to disable the A/C compressor
My A/C system has a leak in it and my compressor is making an awful noise: probably needs replacing. Winter is coming though, and I really don't want to spend any time or money on tracking down leaks ...
- 1,009
15
votes
4
answers
166k
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Low-side and high-side pressures lower than expected after AC repair
I just did my first automotive AC repair, after the compressor in my 2004 Lancer 2.0 ate itself, cracked its casing, and blew all the refrigerant out.
I think I did the repair & recharge ...
- 874
14
votes
6
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What is most fuel efficient at 130km/h? [duplicate]
Suppose a very hot summer day, driving on a long straight highway at 130 km/h.
What is most fuel efficient solution :
Driving with AC on and closed windows?
Driving with AC off and four full opened ...
- 241
14
votes
2
answers
38k
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Is it okay or useful to run heat and AC at the same time?
Most cars that I've seen in my life have a heat slider or dial, which goes from coldest to hottest, and also a button or switch that is labelled "AC". When the heat dial is set to cold, turning on the ...
- 243
14
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1
answer
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Does recirculated cabin air pass through the air filter?
In general, does air recirculated in the cabin (i.e. when the re-circulate button is engaged on the dash) pass again through the cabin air filter?
I know that the cabin air filter filters outside air ...
- 243
13
votes
3
answers
10k
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Volkswagen A/C Intermittent
I want to repair my Volkswagen Passat '07 A/C. I've taken it to two shops (dealer and independent) and they both say the entire a/c system needs to be replaced. The strange thing is, that sometimes it ...
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12
votes
7
answers
44k
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Can a car AC unit be run on just the car battery?
This might be a silly question but I was wondering if a car AC unit be run off entirely on battery or alternator?
As this could help in
Preventing power loss during important times such as ...
- 1,062
12
votes
2
answers
24k
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Why might I experience a power falloff after starting my car with the AC On?
I have a 2000 Chrysler Neon which generally runs well.
I have noticed that if I start the vehicle, turn the AC on and reverse out of the driveway, the engine seems to struggle/sounds like it is going ...
- 235
12
votes
2
answers
140k
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What temperature should the A/C blow?
The A/C output temperature on my 2012 Chrysler Town & Country feels diminished, especially in the rear seats' A/C vents. So, I had the refrigerant drained, measured, and topped off (dealership did ...
- 891
11
votes
2
answers
70k
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Huge puddle of water under car
I parked my Dodge Viper after driving for about two hours (in July, ~90°F, AC at full blast). Half an hour later I noticed a huge puddle under the engine, on the passenger side.
I am pretty sure it ...
- 707
11
votes
3
answers
12k
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What is involved to recharge the Air Conditioning System?
What is involved to recharge the Air Conditioning System? I believe you need a machine to do it, so I am guessing you can't do it yourself.
- 460
10
votes
8
answers
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How do you detect and deal with a refrigerant leak?
My heat works great, but my AC is nonexistent. Just blows out normal air, which in this weather is quite hot and unpleasant.
I had the refrigerant refilled two years ago, but I haven't used the car ...
- 1,917
10
votes
3
answers
4k
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Where can A/C condenser be located other than in front of radiator?
1953 F-100 w/ 428 Cobra Jet FE motor.
I want to spare my grill and avoid putting the condenser in front of the radiator. Plus, it's already a beast to cool in hot weather, and I live in hell. (It's ...
- 101
9
votes
6
answers
4k
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Using sunshine to cool down the car
Why can't the sunshine (that turns a car into an oven) be used to run the aircon? Or at the very least, a fan?
For example - a long thin fan that fits into the top of the window - preventing it from ...
- 199
9
votes
3
answers
1k
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Are A/C Control Panels Universal?
Are A/C Control Panels (the panel that controls the: Fan Speed, Temperature, and Head/Foot air flow direction) in cars are universal, similar to USB connections are for computers? For example, I would ...
- 91
9
votes
2
answers
2k
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Shutting off fans at highway speeds
On my vehicle (92 Civic) and most others I've seen, the condenser fan comes on whenever the A/C clutch is engaged. This seems like a waste of electricity (and thus fuel) when cruising at 60-75 mph, ...
9
votes
2
answers
26k
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My vents randomly switch between face / windshield... how do I fix this?
I have a 1998 Ford Windstar (more details on demand if necessary.) I rarely use any vent setting besides "face", and I try to avoid using AC because my gas mileage is already lousy.
About two months ...
- 1,122
9
votes
1
answer
1k
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My feet turn black
I left the pedicure salon, started my car and drove less than 3 miles to pick up something from the store, when I stepped out of my car my feet were black... and I don't meant just from dirt, It ...
- 91
9
votes
4
answers
9k
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Does turning fan speed down affect AC compressor load
When I have my AC running, and I turn down the fan speed, does this also change the load the AC puts on the engine?
Since the compressor puts load on the engine, and reduces fuel economy, I am ...
- 378
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votes
1
answer
12k
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Why would turning on the A/C affect my alternator output voltage?
So yet another chapter unfolds in the A/C gremlin saga of my LS1 Chevy.
Backdrop
A/C compressor is relatively new (2 years old)
One of the belts is squeaking (not sure which one)
Recently performed a ...
- 39.1k
9
votes
1
answer
6k
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Ford Econoline Van AC Failing
If the vents start putting out hot air when accelerating or driving up hills but are ice cold when idling, is that a sign of a failing blower pump or leak? I am dealing with a Ford Econoline E350.
...
- 301
8
votes
3
answers
202k
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Why am I smelling exhaust inside the cabin of my car?
When I drive my car the first few miles, I smell exhaust inside the car with the windows rolled up. It happens when I have either the AC or the heat/air on...
What's going on?
- 183
8
votes
3
answers
2k
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A/C not cold when idling
I have a Honda Odyssey 2019. The a/c blows ice cold… as long as I am actively driving. Once I come to a stop and begin idling, the air is no longer cold. Of note, I can get the air to be a bit ...
- 81
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votes
2
answers
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Vehicle AC works initially, but after driving for a while (hour+), the airflow drops to the point being ineffective
I have a 2004 Ford Excursion with the 6.0 powerstroke. Most the time, the AC works fine, but after a long drive in hot weather, the front AC barely blows out of the vents. The rear works fine, in fact,...
- 189
8
votes
1
answer
17k
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How do A/C professionals dispose of refrigerant?
The ubiquitous advisories and legislations against releasing A/C refrigerant into the atmosphere are well known - if you need to discharge R-134a or R-22 from your A/C system, have the gas evacuated ...
- 39.1k
8
votes
3
answers
741
views
What can I do to prevent my air conditioner from smelling moldy as the temperatures begin to rise?
What can I do to prevent my air conditioner from smelling moldy as the temperatures begin to rise?
Every year someone I know or myself begins to get an odor from their air conditioner that's musty or ...
- 33k
8
votes
5
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32k
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When idling, AC does not work and engine overheats. What's the cause?
I drive a 2013 Chevy Sonic.
Basically, the air conditioning does not blow cold air if the car is idling, only when in motion. It seems to blow the coldest during long periods of driving fast, such as ...
- 83
8
votes
2
answers
99k
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Is it possible to charge car battery through cigar lighter socket?
I plan to modify my SUV into a camping car. Can I charge my car battery through cigar lighter socket with a 13.6 voltage when my engine is off? Also, can I power the air conditioning compressor and ...
- 183
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votes
1
answer
6k
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AC: Fixing or Recharging?
I have Toyota Camry 2000. The problem is AC does not blow any cold air. So, I bought R134a and recharging it myself. It costs me about $12. However, it lasts for about a month.
I checked with couple ...
8
votes
2
answers
915
views
Will running engine after replacing A/C components ruin the new compressor before system is recharged with freon/oil?
I have replaced the air compressor (which came oiled from factory), condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve on a 2002 Honda CRV. I also replaced the alternator.
I want to turn the engine on to ...
- 81
8
votes
4
answers
28k
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Air Conditioning Cools Intermittently
I have a 2001 Honda Civic. The A/C works pretty well - it comes on fast and blows cold. However, after 5 - 10 minutes it stops cooling and starts blowing warm air. If I turn the A/C off, after another ...
- 277
8
votes
1
answer
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My AC works well at night only
I'm unhappy with the performance of my '04 Pontiac GTO's AC.
Here are the symptoms:
Cooling goes down to zero when the car is stationary, starts to cool after the car has been moving for some time
...
- 39.1k
8
votes
1
answer
4k
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2014 Subaru Forrester AC Compressor clutch noise, slippage
We have a 2014 Subaru Forrester whose AC Compressor clutch operation is unlike other cars I've ever owned. The video linked is from when the car is cold and AC is engaged. It appears that the clutch ...
- 355
8
votes
1
answer
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Exactly how much refrigerant is in there?
A concern that comes up regularly when troubleshooting A/C problems is whether an A/C system has too little refrigerant (hello leaks) or too much of it (hello overcharging).
The traditional way to do ...
- 39.1k
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1
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How to get items out of the HVAC system from a 2003-2007 Honda Accord
Before I ruin my dashboard/car, I wanted to know if my approach is correct. I don't know much about cars but logically, it seems like a simple enough task to remove vents, reach in and grab items, ...
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4
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2k
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Would it be harder to install a new AC system if the old one is ripped out already for a long time?
I have a Hyundai Excel 96 sedan, the AC is not working any more. I will eventually have a new AC system installed, but not now because it does cost some bucks.
I'm planning to have it removed since ...
- 227
7
votes
5
answers
42k
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What's ECON and how is it used properly?
I drive mostly Asian cars which mostly have an air-conditioning interface consisting of a button saying "A/C". This makes sense to me since it's short for "Air Conditioning" (assumption :)). Also the ...
- 193
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3
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21k
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How to recharge AC using booster from auto parts store?
The AC on my 2002 Chevy Cavalier stopped blowing cold in the fall and I had planned on getting it checked out and recharged once the AC check specials started. I saw this for $30 and it seems too ...
- 173
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5
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13k
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How much isopropyl alchcol to deodorize AC ducts?
i'm looking to remove an odor from my Corolla's fresh air intake.
There are products available where you spray the product into the fresh air intake (near the windshield wipers), while the fan is ...
- 297
7
votes
4
answers
58k
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A/C does not cool when speeding more than 100kmph
I drive a 1.3 liter 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer. I have this weird problem with the a/c where it stops cooling when I try going above 100kmph. The a/c cools just fine under 100kmph. But when I go over ...
- 171
7
votes
2
answers
33k
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To Use Max AC or AC
If I understand properly, setting your vehicle in the AC setting will cycle air from the outside into your vehicle attempting to cool it before it is pulled in.
Likewise, MAX AC only recycles the ...
- 253
7
votes
3
answers
10k
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How do I fix my Heater & A/C in my car, suspect vacuum problem?
I didn't see this question asked after a search so I thought why not. I have a 97 GMC Sonoma with 90k miles that I barely drive. Since the hot summer is coming fast I went to use the AC and I am ...
- 3,685
7
votes
2
answers
6k
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What problems can come from AC not running for years?
I have an 81 Chevy C10 that I inherited from my dad. This truck has mostly sat for the last seven years, with me running it enough to keep it in condition. I've been using this truck mainly for the ...
- 295
7
votes
2
answers
19k
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Why does the Air Conditioner compressor cycle on and off even when it is hot in the car?
I have a 20 year old Subaru wagon, and the A/C seems to work fairly well except when it is extremely hot outside (> 100 F / 40 C - which happens a lot in the summer here). What I wonder about is that ...
user15009
7
votes
2
answers
26k
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Engine Bogs down with A/C on highway
This started to happen relatively recent. It's 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. What is happening when the engine is idling and I turn the A/C on or the defroster (which also uses the A/C I believe), the ...
- 409