Common Mazda 3 A/C Problems

Weak Air Flow

If the air flowing out of the vents isn’t as strong as it should be, then this is a sign that something is wrong. It could be that mildew and mold has accumulated inside the core of the evaporator, the result of moisture that is residual and present during cooling. If this is the case, it will be difficult for air to get to the vents.

Another possibility is the hose, which can loosen. The hose most susceptible to this is that of the blower, which is responsible for providing air. Then there are the seals. The evaporator seal, case core seal and house blower seal can open, which restricts the flow of air. The ventilation systems within air conditioning units are quite sensitive and as such have to stay sealed. If they open, this can compromise the entire system.

The A/C Isn’t Getting Cold Enough

There are various reasons why your A/C is no longer getting as cold as it used to. Some of these culprits include an expansion tube or charging hose that is clogged, leaking Freon, a faulty compressor or clutch, blower motor which has malfunctioned, condenser or evaporator which is damaged, or a leaking vacuum. It is also possible that you have a fuse, control module, solenoid or switch which has failed.

As you can imagine, figuring out which of these issues is the cause can be extremely difficult, time consuming and frustrating. Unless you’re a trained technician, it is best to take it to a mechanic, and soon, because if the problem remains unresolved it can become worse and more costly to fix.

The A/C Begins Cooling Normally, But Then Becomes Warm

This is an uncommon issue, one that can be caused by many things. Your expansion valve might be clogged. This valve is used to distribute a specific refrigerant amount to the evaporator. Should it become obstructed, the refrigerant won’t be able to reach its destination, which will cause the refrigerant to freeze should moisture be present.

The clutch for the compressor might also be malfunctioning. If it doesn’t engage the compressor, then the compressor will be unable to maintain the proper pressure, which will result in hot air. Another possibility is that your fuse has shorted out or blown. This will lead to certain components not getting the electrical power they need.

Leaks And How To Identify Them

Leakage is a major problem for A/C systems of all kinds, and is almost always the result of excessive moisture. The moment refrigerant and moisture comes into contact with one another, they produce unpleasant corrosive acids that can wear down components and seals, creating leakage. To identify leak locations, you can use specialized dyes which are black light friendly.