Why Does My Car Overheat When the AC Is On?
Everyone knows how harmful it is to overheat your car’s engine. It is a situation that should be prevented at any cost. So, if AC is on and you don’t seem to stop it, what would you do if the car was overwhelmed?
First, I would like to know what the problem is causing. Here’s how to check the causes of the top and fix them. We also answer some questions you can ask yourself.
Causes of car overheating when AC is turned on
Only if the car overheats while the air conditioner is on can the motor be too loaded. Mechanical issues can also occur such as B. Failures due to capacitors, overload compressors, defective temperature sensors, or bad fan. Otherwise, it could be just an incompetent alternating current system.
1. Increased engine load
Your car’s engine can be so mastered. Pushing the car over the boundary can cause the engine to start overheating. Running the air conditioner adds the load to create the engine. Towing this together with heavy loads can cause the temperature to rise slowly.
If you have ruled out mechanical errors, you can check how you use your vehicle. It is very possible to expect many of the cars you have.
2. Capacitor installed in front of the cooler
The cool capacitors are cool so you can steal the cold air from the town he has to go to. There is not enough cold air, making it even more difficult to keep the engine temperature low. Furthermore, capacitor failure is always possible. Dirt and contamination tend to accumulate in the fins.
3. An incompetent cooling system
If you have nothing wrong with your capacitor, you may only have an incompetent cooling system. A broken water pump can often be blamed. If you need a water pump, you cannot replace the heat thoroughly.
Also, proper cooling may not be sufficient coolant in the tank. In other situations, a lack of interceptors can put more stress on the system than it needs.
4. Overload alternating current compressors
If alternating currents are on, the compressor places additional load on the engine. When you turn on the air conditioner system, you can see this by looking at the speed. If a compressor appears or the accessory belt stops spinning, an error can occur. The engine starts to overheat very quickly.
5. Bad cooler fan
A cooling fan is required to keep the temperature low. If the cooling fan fails, the engine will overheat. However, as the speed of the car flows through the air, you may not notice it much when you drive down the highway.
It’s most impressive when you run the air conditioner in traffic jams. It can also occur when driving, if you can’t get the air you need.
6. Faulty Engine Cooling Temperature Sensor
If this fails, the engine can overheat. If the temperature sensor does not send the correct signal, the coolant will not flow as needed. Using alternating currents and excessive loading of the engine can make this even worse.
How to repair a car that overheats when turning on AC
As soon as the car starts to overheat, I want to diagnose the problem immediately. It is important to prevent the engine from overheating as permanent damage can occur quickly. There are a few steps that will help you know what’s going on.
1. Check the coolant
It is best to start at the coolant level before taking the extensive steps. It’s very likely that it needs to be used a little more.
1) If the vehicle is cool, check the coolant. Hot liquids can be exposed to pressure and can lead to damage.
2) Find a coolant reservoir. It is under the hood, usually the front or side of the engine.
3) If the reservoir is transparent, you should be able to see the level on the page. There should be cold and hot lines printed on the side.
4) When cooled along with the engine, the liquid should reach the cold line. If not, you will need to add more coolant. 5) Remove the cap and add the correct frost protection mix for your vehicle.
If the coolant is low, you should also check the leakage system. Over time, seals, seals and hoses can be exhausted so that liquids are pushed out. It is important to repair these leaks before adding any liquids. Otherwise, you will be landing on the same boat later.
2. Make sure the cooler and capacitor are not damaged
Next, I would like to run a review of the cooler and capacitors. Here are some tips to consider.
1) Use a flashlight. It may be dark if the cooler tank is.
2) Check the cooler and capacitors in all wet areas. This issue indicates penetration and damage.
3) Look at the cooler and get signs of leaks.
4) Check the hose clamps at the top and bottom of the cooler. Choose them as needed.
5) Check the cooler and capacitor fins to make sure they are not blocked or damaged. 6) Open the oil measuring rod and make sure there is no coolant in the engine.
If you notice any damage, repair it immediately. When it comes to the cost of a cooler or capacitor, you can save a much higher invoice than replacing a motor.
3. Inspect the Radiator/AC Condenser Fan
Most of today’s radiators have an electric fan. With these fans, you can use a multimeter to test operation.
1) Turn off the car engine.
2) Locate the fuse box. Normally, it’s under the dash.
3) Set the multimeter to DCV (Direct Current Voltage). Select the range that’s best for the 12V circuit.
4) Put the negative multimeter lead to the negative battery terminal post.
5) Connect the red multimeter lead to the fuse contact for the radiator fan.
6) If the reading is around 12V, the fuse is fine. Otherwise, a blown fuse will give you a 0V reading on one side. A 0V reading on both contacts means there’s no power coming to the fuse either.
Aside from a blown fuse, the fan may also not be working because there’s something holding it up. Physically inspect the fan for any debris holding it up and clean it out when appropriate.
4. Refill and Diagnose the AC System
If a lack of AC refrigerant could be to blame, refill it. You want the AC system working its best to reduce the load on the engine. Aside from this, you want to fix any mechanical issues you’ve found. Remember to reference your car’s service manual for the proper steps for your vehicle.
5. Connect an OBD Scanner
If there are warning lights on the dashboard, your code scanner can help you figure out what’s wrong. Plug your compatible OBDII scanner into the port under the steering wheel.
It should reveal a code or codes that can be used to determine the problem. Reference the information you receive with our online trouble code library to fix the issues.
6. Contact a Professional
Not everyone understands the basics of the cooling system and that’s okay. If you aren’t sure where to start, reach out to a local mechanic for more help. Even if you can figure out what’s wrong, there could be times when the issue is over your head or you don’t have the equipment needed.
Can a bad AC compressor cause a car to overheat?
The compressor isn’t going to cause a direct fault that overheats the engine. However, when the compressor clutch engages without proper operation, there will be an extra strain on the engine. This problem can quickly lead to an overheating engine.
Does the car AC make the engine hotter?
The air conditioner does put additional load on the engine. If the engine is already prone to overheating, having to work harder may throw it over the edge. In some cases, you can stop the engine from overheating simply by turning off the air conditioner.
Does turning off the AC prevent overheating?
If there’s a failure in the cooling system, the AC system isn’t going to make a difference or change the problem. However, you can reduce the load on the engine by turning off the AC. This simple change may give you a little more time to drive home without overheating the motor.
At the first sign of an overheating engine, you want to take action. Your quick attention can make the difference between fixing a small mechanical problem and having to replace the engine.
Our guide provides you with the simple steps to work through the overheating issue. Whether it’s related to the air conditioner or not, you should be able to get back on the road quickly.
