Why has my car air conditioning stopped working?

If you’ve run out of refrigerant, then your icy cool cabin will start to feel warm and sticky on those hot summer days. A refrigerant top-up will remedy the situation quickly and easily, but if the problem is more serious, it could lead to costly repairs or replacements.

Regular maintenance can keep your car’s AC in tip-top condition, providing years of trouble-free operation, and, as part of your regular service and MOT, you shouldn’t have to make any special, additional trips to the garage.

What are the common causes of a faulty car air conditioner?

You’re out of refrigerant

Risk level – Low

What to do – Top up your AC refrigerant.

Whether your AC has used up all of its refrigerant or it’s leaked out somehow, you won’t get any cool air through your vents when you hit the on-switch. If it’s just run out, a top-up or recharge will have you back to normal in no time, but if you’ve developed a leak, you need to track it down and seal it up to remedy the problem once and for all.

The cooling fans are broken

Risk level – Low

What to do – Fix faulty components and replace damaged fans.

Just like any other heating or cooling system, your car AC uses fans to distribute the cool air. If those fans are faulty, damaged or broken, they won’t drive the cool air around your car as required. It could be as simple an issue as a blown fuse or even a short in the electrical system. Occasionally, they can even suffer damage from debris thrown up from the road.

There’s an issue with the compressor

Risk level – Low

What to do – Repair or replace your stuck compressor.

The compressor keeps the air and coolant moving around your air conditioning system, and if it’s not working, neither is your AC. The most likely problem results from being unused over long periods where you don’t need the AC. This gives the compressor a chance get stuck—either in the on or off position, and needs freeing up to get back to its normal operation.

Your condenser is faulty or broken

Risk level – Low

What to do – Replace the faulty AC condenser.

The condenser depressurises, cools and liquefies the humid air in the system, keeping it cool. A failing condenser won’t achieve the icy cold temperatures you’re used to from your AC, and a broken one won’t cool the air at all.

It’s an electrical fault

Risk level – Medium

What to do – Repair or replace any faulty components.

Most components in your car need electricity to power them, and your AC is no exception. Whether it’s a damaged switch, a blown fuse, problems in the wiring or a faulty control module or system, they’ll all prevent your AC from blowing cold, fresh air.

The problem with electrical issues is that they can cause acid build-up, which, in turn, can create long-term damage to the entire air conditioning system. So, to prevent bigger and more costly issues, find the fault and fix it—ASAP.

How much does it cost to fix a car air conditioning?

The average cost of replacing an aircon condenser is £339, a compressor around £574, and an aircon regas usually ranges between £125 and £150.

What are common signs of a faulty car air conditioner?

When your AC isn’t working correctly, you’ll often notice a range of unusual smells and odours. The damp, musty smell of mildew coming from your air vents is caused by a build-up of bacteria and mould. If you notice a sweet chemical smell when you first turn the AC on, it tends to be because there’s a leak somewhere in the system.

Can a blown fuse cause car AC not to work?

Yes, it can. Problems with your electrics can affect so many of your car’s operating systems and components, and if the fuse protecting your AC from surges has blown, the whole system will shut down.

What do you do if your car air conditioner stops working?

If you aren’t sure where your car air conditioning problem lies, then one of our trusted mechanics will. Book in with Fixter, and we’ll run a free test on your AC system to uncover the issue. Once we know where the problem is, we’ll run you through all the solutions, their costs and have you cool and comfortable during the hot months in no time.