Maybe it’s Murphy’s law, or maybe a more obscure theory, but it never fails… on the absolute hottest day of summer, when you must be in your car for an extended period of time, the dashboard air vents stop working. Of course, in the middle of winter, this would relate to the heater in your vehicle. For our purposes here, however, we are going to focus on the air conditioning system in your vehicle.
When you have an air vent problem, what can you do? Why are you having an air vent problem in the first place? Let’s find out.
Dashboard Air Vent Problems
Your vehicle’s ventilation system components must be checked in order to figure out why you’re experiencing problems with the vents. Take note: This can get somewhat complicated. If you’re not comfortable with working on the engine of your car or the air conditioning system, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
That said, here are some possible causes of vent issues:
- Failed compressor or condenser – the component will need to be replaced/repaired
- Torn belts or hoses – the hoses and/or belts will need to be replaced (you might be able to tape a hose temporarily)
- Faulty resistor or blower motor – the blower or resistor will need to be replaced
- The air intake is jammed – clear the air intake
- Low refrigerant level – recharge the system/add refrigerant
- Faulty relay or fuse – replace the fuse or repair the relay
What Can You Do?
In general, here are some suggestions as to what you can try if your vehicle vents aren’t blowing any air:
- There are two intakes on your ventilation system. One is for recirculated air, the other brings in fresh air. If they’re clouded or blocked by substances/debris, the vents can’t blow air. If there are substances or debris blocking the intakes, remove the blockage.
- No air will flow through your vents if the blower motor isn’t working right. To the power wire for the blower motor, an amp meter must be hooked up to determine whether there is a problem. If you are not familiar with this kind of procedure, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
- Most ventilation systems have a cabin filter. If this filter becomes clogged or blocked, the vents may not blow air. This filter could be located under the hood or under the passenger seat, depending on the design of your vehicle. Once you find it, use a screwdriver to remove its mounting screws. From its housing, you can then remove the filter. Either replace or clean the filter and then secure it back in place.
Get Your Air Vents Blowing Cold Air Again with Parts from R&Y A/C Compressors
Whether you’ve purchased parts and components from R&Y A/C Compressors before, or if you’re doing it for the first time, check out our current list of products:
- Tubes
- Valves
- Compressor bearings
- Clutches
- Compressor kits
- Condensers
- Evaporators
- Accumulators
- … and more
To reach our customer service department Monday through Friday, please call 305-919-8864. On Saturdays, we are available from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. You may also choose to send us an email at [email protected].
If you’d rather, you can fill out our convenient online form, send it in, and await a response. We look forward to working with you.