My AC does not always work. If I fiddle with the blower knob I can ususally get it to work on the lowest setting.

My AC does not always work. If I fiddle with the blower knob I can usually get it to work on the lowest setting. And if i fiddle with it some more once in a blue moon I can get the higher settings on the knob to work. But they never work on the exact spot they are supposed to. Usually they end up half way between to setting numbers on the dash and a small bump can knock it out of wack. Also on the rare occasion I do get one of the higher settings to work if I shut off the car then restart it it usually stops working again. Can you tell me what I need to fix it?

My car has 104000 miles.
My

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a faulty blower motor resistor. The highest speed setting may still work because in most cars in the highest fan speed settings the current bypasses the blower motor resistor. In some cars, if the resistor is failed, the fan may stop working completely. Another reason a blower motor resistor may fail is when the blower motor has a mechanical problem or when a foreign object jams the blower motor fan blade and prevents it from spinning freely. This leads to increased current through the resistor and causes it to overheat and fail. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your system to determine what may be causing the fan not to work properly.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Reasons a Hyundai Sonata AC Isn`t Working. The most common reasons a Hyundai Sonata ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
When the air conditioning in your Hyundai Sonata aircon starts blowing hot air, you likely have a refrigerant leak. The most common fault on the Hyundai Sonata air conditioning system is the discharge aircon hose leaking at the ferrule crimp.
Electrical issues within your Hyundai`s air conditioning may be a result of loose connections, such as damaged wires, blown fuses, or broken temperature sensors. The longer you fail to address electrical problems, the more you risk acid build-up.
The most common causes of broken air conditioning leaks or compression issues. If you are feeling cool — but not cold — air, the issue could be a clogged filter, a problem with the cooling fan, signs of radiator trouble, or it could simply mean it`s time to recharge your AC.
Problems like a fan clogged with dirt, a dead motor, a loose fan belt or a stuck wheel can all cause your blower to not work properly. These problems can keep the blower fan from blowing enough air out of your vents to keep you cool. Your evaporator coil needs air to blow over it to complete your AC`s cooling process.
REASONS YOUR AC IS BLOWING WARM AIR

Here is why; Dirty filter: A dirty filter limits airflow through the system, eventually straining your AC and making it blow warm air. Clogged/dirty outside AC unit: Both the outdoor and indoor AC units work together to supply cool air during summer.

AC Works Intermittently: When the air goes from cool to warm to cool again, you`re experiencing intermittent problems. This is often due to a clog in the system, a failed compressor or compressor clutch, a faulty condenser fan, a clog in the system, or the actuator directing airflow has failed.
Common reasons include dirty or blocked air filters. In other cases, there can be issues with your compressor or refrigerant. This can lead to your ac not blowing air, not turning on, or it just doesn`t seem to be working properly.
Sometimes the capacitor or electric supply cable may have faults, or the AC may have electrical faults such can come from the circuits board or even the thermostat; any of these problems can cause the AC unit to turn on and off repeatedly.
Your car`s air conditioning is most efficient when set to the lowest temperature and adjusting the fan for comfort. Most air conditioning systems cool the air to 3-4 C. A higher temperature forces the system to re-heat the air, burning more fuel.
In Summary. We recommend setting your thermostat to AUTO for the best balance of energy efficiency and comfort. If you are concerned about indoor air quality or suffer from allergies, the ON setting`s increased air filtration could be beneficial.
Generally speaking, when cool air blows during early morning hours, and then blows warmer as it gets warmer outside, it can be due to a few possible sources. First, and most common is that the AC vent is set to draw air from the outside and not through the cabin.
If your AC is not blowing cold air, the system might be low on refrigerant, which is usually due to a leak. Other reasons your ac is not blowing cold air include a broken fan motor, frozen coils, blockage in the vents, or dirt and debris buildup in condensing unit.
A dirty air filter can block airflow and reduce cooling to your home. In more extreme cases it can cause the system to shut down completely. If your thermostat checks out and you still don`t have cool air, locate your system`s air filter, turn the system off, remove the filter and inspect.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My AC does not always work. If I fiddle with the blower knob I can ususally get it to work on the lowest setting.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a faulty blower motor resistor. The highest speed setting may still work because in most cars in the highest fan speed settings the current bypasses the blower motor resistor. In some cars, if the resistor is failed, the fan may stop working completely. Another reason a blower motor resistor may fail is when the blower motor has a mechanical problem or when a foreign object jams the blower motor fan blade and prevents it from spinning freely. This leads to increased current through the resistor and causes it to overheat and fail. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your system to determine what may be causing the fan not to work properly.

My car ac a year ago stopped working on settings 123 only works on 4 I did the research so I do know it is the blower motor an ha
ANSWER : In your application, there is a replaceable blower motor resistor block. The resistor block permits multi-speed operation of the fan. If some fan speed settings work, but not others, the first thing to do is test the resistor block with a volt ohmmeter. If you desire testing, and replacement, as needed, please request a blower motor/resistor block diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you.

With regard to the A/C system, if gauge pressures (high and low) are normal when the system does operate, there are really only two principle possibilities for intermittent operation. One is circulating moisture in the system (due to a saturated dryer) which periodically freezes (and thaws) at the expansion valve and the other is a failure in the A/C control system, that is the clutch, sensors, and other electronics that control the compressor cycling. The cause of the problem can be readily found if you request an A/C system diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Honda Civic 2008. AC stopped working suddenly and engine check light came ON for a day.Next day AC worked and no engine light.
ANSWER : Hi there. In both cases, when an AC system is not working and a warning light is coming on the dashboard, typically a professional mechanic will complete the same initial inspection, which is to download the stored error codes that triggered the warning light initially. This tends to give them an idea as to what is causing the problems. This could be something as simple as an electrical relay that is faulty or loose or an indication of a computer related "glitch". Either way, the best way to move forward is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection.

Blower Motor only working on highest speed.
ANSWER : You mentioned that you started to smell something. This may be a sign that the blower controller or the resistor was burnt out when it was hooked up wrong. You should try replacing the blower controlling resistor that you hooked up wrong. But like you mentioned, it could also be a fuse problem that has shorted. If you would like to have this looked at, have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic inspect the wiring and determine what should be done.

If I get my blower motor replaced, do I also have to have my Ac recharged after replacing blower motor?
ANSWER : The blower motor on this vehicle is a simple removal and installation and does not require anything to be touched on the A/C. The refrigerant does not have to be removed. The only component that has to be removed is the glove box under cover to get to the blower motor.

My ac slowly stopped working after just two days.
ANSWER : The air conditioning system relies on a full system charge to function properly. A poorly operating air conditioning system is usually caused by a low charge from a leak. If the air conditioning compressor electronic clutch fails, the fuse blows or the relay burns out, you will notice the lack of cooling. The refrigerant inside the air conditioning system is a gas whose use and handling require a certification. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and give your vehicles air conditioning system a performance check which includes checking system pressures in an effort to offer you a more personal diagnosis.

AC wont blow on max
ANSWER : Based on the information you provided for your 2010 Dodge Avenger. It is likely that you have a leak in the air conditioning system. You may also have a resistor pack going bad, or the selector switch itself could be going bad. To have the problem verified, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to detect any leaks and make needed repairs.

AC works partially, depending on low or high setup
ANSWER : The AC system uses a variety of actuators inside the ducting system in the car which control things such as what vents are used and whether the air is hot or cold. It seems most likely that the mode selector actuator has failed for you car. When this occurs, it exhibits symptoms like you have described. If you want to have this verified, a qualified technician from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your AC issue and perform any repairs that may be required.