My car is overheating while sitting in traffic during the hot summer heat with the AC ON.
What happens is this:
1. Begin to get into traffic - slowing down or a complete stop.
2. After a few minutes in traffic, the AC begins to blow hot air.
3. A few minutes after that, the temperature gauge goes through the roof.
The AC works fine with the temp guage having no problems when there is no traffic - it blows cold and the guage stays at the mid-point.
As soon as I get into traffic, bam - AC blows hot and the gauge goes hotter.
Why?
2006-09-27 02:29:42 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The electric cooling fan on the radiator is not working. It could be a bad fan motor, or a bad relay to the fan. When the car is moving there is airflow through the radiator, but when it is stopped, it needs the fan to pull air in.
Have the problem fixed before you cause serious damage to your engine from overheating!!
2006-09-27 02:34:10 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your first concern would be the overheating condition, it is just compounded by running the AC.
When you operate the vehicle on an open road, the engine stays cool by circulating coolant through the radiator at the front of the car where it cools off by the incoming air.
Since your car is overheating when you stop (or get into traffic), it is indicating that you have a cooling system failure. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir, make sure that there is some coolant visable, otherwise you may need to add coolant. Other problems could be a stuck thermostat or a clogged coolant passage.
When you operate the AC, the refrigerant in the system keeps the inside of the car cool by displacing heat. The heat is displaced to the AC condenser at the front of the car, right in front of the radiator. Also, there is a slight increase in engine load when the AC is run, so engine temp will increase slightly.
2006-09-27 09:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by jrayhp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The car will over heat and the A/C will not work if air isn't going through the radiator and condensor. When you're moving air is being forced through them.
Cooling fan not working. If the fan is electric, check the fuse, fan relay and fan. If it's not electric, check the fan clutch to make sure it's working OK. Also check the drive belt for the fan. Hope this helps. Master tech 40 years.
2006-09-27 09:36:57 · answer #3 · answered by Cal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a water problem. First get your thermostadt replaced and your radiator flushed and refilled with proper mix of Water/Anti-freeze. Also have the level of R-134A checked in your A/C system. This should take care of it. If it doesn't you may have a problem with the clutch on your A/C compressor (This is BAD). A local shop should be able to replace the clutch assembly. If it is not replaceable a new compressor would be needed. (This can get costly which is why I listed it last. And first part can usually be done by anyone with ability)
2006-09-27 09:42:11 · answer #4 · answered by Krash 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your either having trouble with the cooling fans not coming on or the water pump isn't working properly or the thermostat is not working like it should or you have a blockage in the water system
2006-09-27 09:34:01 · answer #5 · answered by handyman 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your car needs antifreeze/coolant. when you are driveing air blows across the radiator and cools what water is in there but when you stop there is no more air flow...... might also check and see if your radiator fan is working.
2006-09-27 09:35:32 · answer #6 · answered by xtenman2000 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your car is overheating. could be thermostats, fan problem, water pump. get it checked out.
2006-09-27 20:57:31 · answer #7 · answered by racing_tennessee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bad thermostat, but check the A/C R12 and all your belts.
2006-09-27 09:36:19 · answer #8 · answered by Skuya!!! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋