Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ac]

Questions about Air conditioning systems - other Heating and ventilation questions should use 'hvac'

Air Conditioning System

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740 questions
72
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6 answers

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 get used to the smell or it actually goes away.…
polarbear
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3 answers

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 / decreasing the life of my engine. Is this true? (I…
Drise
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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 humidity, the following observations were made: When…
bishop
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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 simple hose without a pressure gauge on it. I…
Robert S. Barnes
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6 answers

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 it just keeps trooping on, cooling the food…
Jez
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1 answer

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 before it enters the passenger space, but is it…
Wilbur Whateley
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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 and converting to 134a and all that jazz. What I…
vlsd
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4 answers

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 correctly-- and the AC is blowing very cold-- but I'm…
Cognitive Hazard
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6 answers

What is most fuel efficient at 130km/h?

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 windows? One uses fuel for running AC, other uses…
user50815
13
votes
3 answers

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 actually comes on and when it does it works…
JMC
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2 answers

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 AC switch makes it even colder. I was under the…
snetch
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2 answers

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 to stall. If I turn the AC off, it immediately…
Stephen
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2 answers

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 the work, free of charge), but I'm still unconvinced…
bishop
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7 answers

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 overtaking and climbing on slopes. Increasing fuel…
saurabh64
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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.
Paul C
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