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“Why doesn’t my car AC work?” What a dreadful question. I’m already breaking a sweat thinking about it!

The sun’s rays send heat straight into your car while it’s parked. On hot summer days, it feels like a sauna by the time you get inside.

This can definitely be a bummer when your car’s air conditioner doesn’t work. If your cooling system is blowing hot air, here are some things you need to know.

Playing with buttons won’t help.

People are so funny. They adjust the settings over and over again, as if the perfect combination will bring their air conditioner back to life. Don’t get your hopes up. You will only frustrate yourself.

Common causes of AC problems

Your AC problem could be caused by:

  • Low refrigerant
  • Broken compressor
  • Blocked or broken condenser

Refrigerant is the chemical your AC needs to produce cool air. No refrigerant, no cooling. You can’t “top off” refrigerant. If you’re out, that means you have a leak (sorry for your lots).

The condenser changes refrigerant from a hot gas into a cool liquid. The compressor is the heart of your AC system. It circulates refrigerant into the air so it can remove heat from your interior.

Fixing a cooling system can get expensive.

It costs $100-300 to diagnose an AC problem. If a leak is detected, brace yourself for an average cost of $488.

If you have a more complicated problem, that would increase to $1,829. If you need to install a new AC, expect to pay $2,000 or more.

These figures are courtesy of Costhelper. The amount will vary from city to city. I recommend getting a price quote from at least three different mechanics.

Is fixing your car AC really worth the cost?

It depends.

If you’re going to trade up to a new vehicle in a year or two, there isn’t much point. You could save that money for a down payment.

If you live in a hot climate and plan to keep that vehicle for at least five years, then it’s probably worth it. Your passengers will appreciate it!

If fixing your AC would make a big dent in your car jar (emergency fund for repairs), don’t do it. Save that money for actual emergencies (not mere inconveniences).

Here are some ways to stay cool without an AC.

Park under a tree. Hang up a sunshade. Carry a portable fan and spray bottle. Leave early enough to prevent traffic.

The more you can drive at a steady speed with the windows down, the better. If the heat becomes unbearable, buy a small cooler to store some hand towels. Drape those over your neck when you need to cool down.

“Why doesn’t my car AC work?” I know this blog didn’t answer that question directly (my psychic powers aren’t working today), but I hope it provided enough information to steer you in the right direction. Please share this post with anybody you know who might find it useful. Thanks! 🙂

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