A/C only blows cold air intermittently

Tiny
DOUGDARLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 KIA SORENTO
  • 2.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a few things going on.

1. The cruise control doesn't work if the headlights are turned on.
2. The taillights go out when the brakes are applied.
3. The A/C only blows cold air once in a great while and only for a short time.
4. When it's really cold out, the heater blows air that is barely warm. If you let it sit and idle for a while, it will start blowing hot, but it will also sound and smell as if antifreeze is boiling over.
Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 3:10 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,348 POSTS
Hi,

I'm going to focus on one thing at a time. As far as the heat and A/C, when you turn the A/C on and there is no cold air, is the compressor turning on? As far as the heater, I'm concerned about the smell. Do me a favor. Check the floor on the passenger side to see if it is wet with coolant. Also, if you let it sit until the heater gets hot, is the engine at operating temp or overheating?

The reason I'm asking so many questions is to help me determine if it is an electrical issue or a specific issue with what is called a blend air door actuator. A blend air door actuator is what controls the temperature of air entering the car. Just to give you an idea of what it is, take a look through this link which describes in general how one is replaced. If we determine it is bad, I will provide specifics for your vehicle.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

I'm going to ask a favor. Could you start a new thread specific to the electrical issues. We try to keep the topics specific to one thing.

Let me know,
Joe
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
DOUGDARLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I’ve never noticed any wetness on the floor. It hasn’t been cold enough yet this year for it to happen, but the few times it happened last year there wasn’t any wet on the floor. It has never overheated either, just sounded and smelled like it was. I feel like I’ve checked the blend door actuator before and it worked, but that might have been on my daughter’s car. I may have to check that.

I’m guessing that if the compressor was coming on for the A/C there would be a puddle under the vehicle after it’s moved and I’ve never seen one. So I assume the compressor is only coming on sporadically. It typically happens after driving around a while. I’ve never had it blowing cold right after starting it up.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,348 POSTS
Hi,
The A/C compressor should engage for both A/C and defrost. Have a helper turn those things on and off while you watch to see if it is engaging.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:34 PM

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