Air Condition is not working!

[epictetus]

In time for summer and my air condition is not working at all - when I just get out of the underground parking, it feels fine because it's not that hot yet, but as the car is outside and exposed to the hot weather, the air con becomes heated as well.

I was wondering what could be wrong and how much do you think it would cost to fix?
The dealer i usually go to have a promo for just under $100 for complete AC and Cooling inspection (If leaks found, extra cost) - do you think it's worth it?

Or would going to like Canadian Tire Auto Services be good enough to fix what hopefully is a minor problem?

Thanks!

[cwp_sedan]

We need some details.

What is the year of your car? You obviously are out of warranty?

Stay away from Canadian Tire. Lately it doesn't seem that some dealerships can handle an A/C diagnosis challenge so I would either find one that you trust or find a good mechanic.

Which dealer do you normally deal with?

Is there ANY cold air or does it just blow warm/hot air?

[epictetus]

Mazda3 2006, and yeah no warranty.
I usually deal with Gyro Mazda for all regular services.

It seems to me it simply takes the heat from outside and blows it in.
So if I just got out of the underground parking where the air is pretty cool, the AC blows a mildly cool air. But as soon as it gets out and the car gets heated a bit, the AC will start blowing a mildly hot air. So it's not really blowing warm/hot air on its own, but affected by the heat outside

[bluemazda3]

might be a leak in the system.. best to get it all checked out...

[cwp_sedan]

You will need an inspection because it seems you either have a leak or the compressor is gone.

You should be able to trust the dealers but another member recently had a similar problem like yours and the dealer was unable to diagnose the problem yet still charged him the initial assessment charge. He went to another mechanic and they found the problem right away.

[epictetus]

You will need an inspection because it seems you either have a leak or the compressor is gone.

The service guy told me AC problem usually at least in the few hundreds and can even run to thousands :(

[cwp_sedan]

The service guy told me AC problem usually at least in the few hundreds and can even run to thousands :(

Yep. Hopefully it's the cheaper of the items that need to be fixed.

[Dreamliner]

Do you turn the AC and Air Recirculation button on as well?

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01265/RecircLogo_jpg_1265414cl-6.jpg

[kiloaway]

Do you turn the AC and Air Recirculation button on as well?

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01265/RecircLogo_jpg_1265414cl-6.jpg


Do you turn the AC and Air Recirculation button on as well?

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01265/RecircLogo_jpg_1265414cl-6.jpg

same question here...or... did you turn on the ac button right beside the Air Recirculation button?

if the car was parked outside exposure to the heat for hours, it would normally take a while for the a/c to "warm-up" then generate the cold air. if that is tha case, I would roll down the windows to vent the heat, drive for a bit, then swith on the a/c.. just my two cent

[-|CHECKMATE2012|-]

Whens the last time you checked your coolant level?

[Cosmo77]

Sounds like you have a system that is either empty, low or have an electricall issue not turning the system on.

Most shops will charge and hour diag. to find a problem with the a/c system However....most a/c repairs are not inexpensive. So don;t be surprised or offended by the quotes.

Try the dealer, and research some respected a/c shops.

Common issues on 3's are:

1. Compressors
2. Two certain lines on the car.
3. Faulty cooling fan that is not working that causes the system to not work
4. and in some cases condensors.

btw. Its at least $500 for any one of those options...well except for the lines maybe

Cosmo

[epictetus]

same question here...or... did you turn on the ac button right beside the Air Recirculation button?

Lol yeah when you guys posted that question made me re-think (though I was pretty sure I checked that, but made me re-think).

Brought it in to the dealer this morning and was told there's a leak in (some part I dont recall the name)... so they are fixing that and hopefully there's no other leaks / problems.

[mannyspeed]

mine never worked i got the car a moth ago and it worked for a bit then the fans would just stop working then and hour after driving the go back on

[JaYson]

I've got an A/C unit i've been meaning to sell if you're interested? PM me.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/8-11-07-ac_on_car.jpg

[rzapata]

I've got an A/C unit i've been meaning to sell if you're interested? PM me.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/8-11-07-ac_on_car.jpg

Ahahaha! Nice!!! I wonder if it actually worked?? Man, things that people do eh??

[Wes08M3]

I've got an A/C unit i've been meaning to sell if you're interested? PM me.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/8-11-07-ac_on_car.jpg

Hahaha that's just awesome.