The 6 Common Air Conditioning Issues in Miami
Miami residents are well aware of the beautiful weather we enjoy year-round. There aren’t many places in the world where you can go to pristine beaches at any point during the year, and there’s a reason so many travelers from out of state come to our beautiful city during their colder months. With the sun constantly blazing, especially as the summer months draw closer, Miami (and all South Florida) drivers will turn their air conditioners on as they cruise the city streets and highways.
However, because it’s so warm and our summers become so hot, air conditioners work overtime, especially when drivers turn them to their lowest temperature settings and highest fan output. As a result, you may encounter electrical issues with your car and find your air conditioner not working when you need it most.
While it’s unfortunate that there are common AC problems, there are simple ways to detect them.
AC Doesn’t Work at All
This is the most complicated issue to deal with, as there are several possible reasons. If it sounds like the AC is running, but no air or weak air flow is making it into the cabin, you could have a blockage somewhere in the line. It could be either the outside air intake or the cabin vent where air is recycled.
You could also have a blown fuse, a bad relay, or damage to the motor that sends air into the cabin. Lastly, you could have a leak in one of the hoses in the air conditioning system or damaged, if not broken, belts.
AC Isn’t Cold
When temperatures reach over 100 degrees, cool air simply won’t do. When your AC stops blowing cold air, you likely don’t have enough refrigerant. You may also have a leak, such as a freon leak, somewhere in the air conditioning system. As if that wasn’t enough to worry about, the reason your AC will only blow cool air could be that your condenser is faulty or broken, or the clutch switch isn’t working properly.
Hot Air is Blowing
In most cases, if hot air is blowing and your car is overheating when the air conditioner is on, you may have an overworked (and possibly soon-to-be-cracked) radiator. A coolant leak means that your radiator is unable to keep the engine at the proper temperature, and things overheat quickly. If you notice hot air blowing from your AC, pull over and turn off the car immediately.
Strange Smells from Your AC
If you notice a burning smell from the air conditioner or if it smells like musty mold, you have some major issues on your hands. Mildew smells indicate that mold, fungi, or bacteria are growing somewhere in the AC system due to unwanted additional moisture.
A burning smell indicates something is overheating, possibly the compressor or nearby electrical pieces, and your AC system is warning you that things will worsen quickly. Once again, we advise turning off the AC, pulling over, and turning off the vehicle.
Water on the Floorboards
Condensation builds up in your vehicle’s air conditioner, which is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. When their growth runs rampant, your drainage system, particularly the hose that runs underneath the floor of your vehicle, can become clogged and instead of draining onto the street, it accumulates on your floorboards in the cabin for an unpleasant experience.
Strange Noises from Your AC
If your air conditioner rattles or makes unusual sounds when running, there’s no clear-cut answer as to the source of the issue. It could be that a mechanical or electrical part is failing, or that the intake has debris lodged in it. When you hear strange noises from your vehicle, it’s best not to ignore it and push the problem down the road.
Rolls-Royce Maintenance in Miami
For all the common AC problems we’ve discussed, all roads lead to bringing your vehicle to a service center to have a trained professional inspect, diagnose, and repair the issue. At Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Miami, we pride ourselves on knowing the full lineup of elite, luxury vehicles to better serve you and keep your exclusive vehicle running quietly and optimally for years.
Rolls-Royce maintenance is vital to the health of your investment, and it’s best to stay on top of things with:
- Oil changes
- Brake inspection
- Battery service
- And more
We can assist you by ordering parts for older models. Contact us or call us today at 786-577-5212 to schedule service for your Rolls-Royce air conditioner and any other issues you face.
