Car owners are always bewildered when their car overheats when the AC is running. Car owners don’t need to visit a mechanic or an auto repair shop to know if their car overheats, because there are some visible symptoms.
However, many people still feel visiting a car repair expert is the best way to know if their car has issues. If you are one of those who worry when their car overheats when the AC is on, then there is a solution to help you out.
This article will talk about the symptoms you will notice when your AC causes symptoms of overheating, the root causes, and ways you can solve this problem.
Symptoms of a car overheating when the AC is running
Here are some visible signs to know that your car is overheating and your AC is on:
Car parts are hot
When you notice that your car’s interior components are hot, then it is a sign. This happens when you get some burning smell from the car part or air conditioner. When this happens, it might be from your AC.
Vehicle temperature gauge
Another sign is when you read your car temperature gauge, which can give an accurate reading that your car is overheating. This car gauge measures the temperature of your engine coolant. The average car temperature is 196 degrees to 230 degrees. But when the readings are higher, you should know that something is up with the AC.
The car engine shuts down
When your vehicle overheats, it normally shuts down, irrespective of the cause. But anytime you switch on the AC and the engine shuts down, know that there is a problem with the air conditioning system.
Steam oozing from under the hood
An old way to know your car is overheating is when there is a steam cloud coming from all sides of the hood. Anytime this happens, check your car for any overheating problems. These are popular signs to detect if your car overheats when the AC is on. However, don’t be rash, ensure that these are the primary causes.
Probable causes of car overheating
After seeing the signs that your car is exhibiting, there are some probable reasons that could cause the car overheating due to active AC:
Compressor overload
A faulty AC compressor sheds additional load on the car engine. The reason is that the air conditioning system draws a lot of power from the engine, which could affect the load. When this compressor fails, it could cause the car engine to overheat.
Bad cooling system
Another vital component of the AC is the cooling system. It is meant to reduce the heat of the car engine when it goes hot. When your car engine overheats, it could be that the cooling system is bad or the condenser has been clogged, or an inferior water pump. It could also be that the coolant system is suffering from corrosion.
Faulty Fan
Also, a faulty car AC can cause car overheating when your vehicle is moving slowly. This might be because of a clogged radiator that blocks easy airflow.
Malfunctioning engine coolant temperature sensor
Sometimes, the overheating might be because of a bad sensor system. While this is rare, it shouldn’t be ruled out entirely. Most faulty car sensors show that your AC has a hot reading. If readings of the temperature sensor are normal, you should also check the functioning of the thermostat.
Car overheats when AC is on: Possible solution
Here are some possible solutions to your issue:
Clean your car radiator
The radiator is a core component of a vehicle’s cooling system. If your car’s radiator isn’t clean or its fins have been clogged with particles, this might be a problem with the car overheating when the air conditioner is on.
When this happens, it can’t pass antifreeze and water out. Ensure you clean the radiator internal pipes properly with equipment.
Take a look at the AC compressor
Also, when you are certain that the main cause is the AC compressor, you might want to do it. When you notice some strange noise from the AC compressor, take a look at it. Look at the compressor’s wire and check if it is using the right voltage. Don’t forget to look at the clutch AC compressor and the extent of the damage. Also, check the belt that connects the AC compressor clutch to the engine crankshaft.
Flush the coolant system
Regularly flushing the cooling system of the AC can help fix car overheating problems caused by your AC. Also, regular checking of these cooling systems is good car maintenance practice.
Fix the Refrigerant
Another important solution to the car overheating issue when the AC is on is checking the refrigerant. Therefore, you should be careful anytime you recharge your AC or remove the Freon from your vehicle. Also, many car owners have an inferior refrigerant which can make their car overheat anytime the AC is on. Check the coolant or refrigerant level. If it is below the minimum value, you should refill the coolant to the normal amount in this situation as soon as possible.
Final words
Car owners should check their car’s cooling systems to avoid engine overheating problem. A car overheats when the AC is on and it is a common problem among cars today. This article has shared possible signs, causes, and the necessary solutions to fix your vehicle overheating issues. If all the above solutions don’t yield a positive result, you might need to contact a professional mechanic.
