Tesla Air Conditioning Not Cold: 6 Main Reasons & Fixes

It is really hot outside but the AC in your Tesla Model 3 or S won’t work. You turned on the ‘ON’ button but the AC won’t blow cold air? It can be quite frustrating especially when the weather is hot.

A weakly blowing AC or an AC blowing hot air is a common concern raised among many Tesla owners, specifically in summer months. Need a solution to make your car feel less like an oven? Just keep on reading this guide and get this issue sorted out fairly easily.

6 Causes Why Is My Tesla AC Not Working:

There are numerous reasons why your Tesla air conditioning is not running cold or not running at all. These issues can arise due to both hardware and software problems and each of these problems needs a different way to figure out what’s wrong.

1. Refrigerant Leak or Low Level

A leak of refrigerant can largely affect the cooling level of your car. One major issue that arises in this kind of malfunction is the blowing of air, but only hot air is released.

2. Dirty Air Filters

Always keep in mind when you have your Tesla’s air filters cleaned because dirt buildup in the filters can block the airflow through the ducts. This can lead to blockage of airflow and result in reduced cooling for your car.

3. Your Tesla Is Overheating

Although this scenario is quite rare, your Tesla S can overheat when a lot of features are used simultaneously for an extended period. This can cause a decrease in fan speed, leading to increased temperature inside the cabin.

4. Faulty Temperature Sensor

A sensor provides the car with accurate readings regarding air temperature, which is useful for maintaining proper engine functioning. A fault in the temperature sensor leads to improper management of cabin temperature.

5. A Failed Compressor

The compressor is responsible for moving the refrigerant through the cooling system and, in turn, cools the air.

A faulty compressor leads to a failure in the air cooling process. This causes the air blown out of the AC ducts to be warm.

6. Software Issues

The least common but still potential fault is a software issue in your Tesla 3 or S.

Similar Posts:

How Do I Make My Tesla AC Colder?

The way to deal with your Tesla blowing hot air is different from when it doesn’t blow any air or blows weaker than usual. Here’s what you can do to get the issue solved:

1. Check AC Settings

The first in every case is to check the settings of your car. Make sure that the AC is turned on and is set on a level lower than the surrounding temperature.

2. Check Coolant Level

A coolant is a fluid that helps to transfer the heat of the cabin to the environment. A low level of this coolant can affect the temperature in the car cabin.

You can check the coolant level by following these simple steps:

Locate the coolant reservoir under the frunk.
Check the level of coolant and if the mark is near the minimum, add more coolant.

Note: A coolant reservoir that continuously runs low on coolant can be problematic to deal with. To solve this issue, take a look at why the coolant reservoir keeps emptying.

3. Turn On Cabin Overheat Protection

The ‘Cabin Overheat Protection’ is a feature in Tesla, which prevents the cabin of the car from getting excessively hot. It does this by automatically turning on the air conditioning and adjusting the speed of the fan.

Follow these steps to turn on the cabin overheat protection:

Click on the controls on the touchscreen.
Tap ‘Safety’ and open the ‘Cabin Overheat Protection’ section.
Click on the ‘Off’ option if your car is in ‘No A/C mode’ and reset the car.
Now again go to the Cabin overheat protection section and turn it on.
Test if the AC gives cold air.

4. Change The Air Temperature Sensor

You can change the air temperature sensor in the following way:

Open the hood of your Tesla.
Remove the hood storage unit using a plastic pry bar.
Find the temperature sensor and unplug the connector from the wiring system.
Replace the old temperature sensor with a new one.
Reconnect the connector to the wiring system.
Place the hood storage unit back in its place and close the hood.

5. Add Refrigerant

If you are running low on refrigerant, you can always add more refrigerant to AC by following these simple steps:

Open the hood and then remove the hood storage unit.
Remove the air filter and vent.
Remove the bolts and detach the whole panel.
Locate the low-pressure charging port and detach it.
Start your Tesla and let it idle until it reaches the normal operating temperature.
Turn on the AC and set it to the coolest setting along with setting the blower to the highest setting.
Open the doors of your car and leave them open.
Locate the AC compressor in the hood.
Remove the refrigerant line from the low-pressure charging port.
Unscrew the gauge and replace it with a digital gauge.
Now, reconnect the refrigerant line to the low-pressure charging point.
Rotate the refrigerant bottle at 12 and 13 o’clock positions during charging. Spray it to charge properly and wait till the digital gauge gets to the green range.
Turn off the Tesla and remove the refrigerant line.
Reconnect the low-pressure charging point to the aluminum hose.
Put everything back in its place by following the initial steps in the opposite direction.

Note: Want to learn about what fluids are used in a Tesla? Let’s explore the various liquids that play a role in keeping a Tesla car running smoothly.

6. Clean The Air Filters

You can clean the filters of your Tesla in the following way:

Open the frunk of your Tesla.
Locate the air filter near the windshield of the passenger side.
Remove the cover by first removing the screws.
Pull out the air filters and clean them. You can use both compressed air or water to remove the debris.
Allow the filter to dry completely before you place it back.
Put everything back in place by following the initial steps in the opposite direction.

7. Reset Your Tesla

The simplest process to try to work out this issue can be a reset. The reset can be done by using the scroll buttons or by totally powering off the car.

8. Other Solutions

Get the hardware problems solved by professionals.
Check for new software updates.
Contact Tesla support.

Conclusion

Dealing with a problematic air compressor can be quite frustrating. With this troubleshooting guide, you can solve the problem easily and save yourself from sweating too much.

Titan Freak