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Air conditioners cool people down greatly in very warm climates. If you continue to sweat even when you drive your Chevy Bolt, it may be because the system you used to cool it suddenly stopped cooling properly. There are many reasons that your air conditioning system does not cool properly. Some causes of your air conditioner not functioning properly on your Chevy Volt are dirty cabin air filters, refrigerants that are leaking into the unit, dirty or clog evaporators, etc. This article explains what all those symptoms are, and offers you some suggestions as to how you can combat them.
Dirty Cabin Air Filter
The cabin filter, or microfilter, filters the air that enters the vehicle. It helps to eliminate particles that build up in the cabin. Dirty filters cause the interior to become drier, which results in a decrease in interior temperature and airflow. It adds stress to your system by putting too much pressure on your vehicle’s AC system; this will affect its fuel consumption.
How to Fix
Check the cabin air filter in your Chevrolet Bolt. Sometimes before you change the cabin air filter, it is best to clean the pollen filter. It can also be used to remove some dirt by using a vacuum cleaner or a system that uses a compressor to force air over the area. Unfortunately, you will not be able to get into the filters very deep. Consequently, it is unlikely that the performance of filters will increase greatly even after cleaning. Therefore, it is inevitable that something will change.
Clogged/Dirty Condenser
The condenser sits at the front of the vehicle. It is a device that heats the refrigerant and causes it to escape. Over the years, dirt, bugs, and dust can be deposited on the condenser and in the space between its mesh. This hinders the condenser’s ability to efficiently distribute heat throughout the cabin. This prevents heat from escaping from the condenser, as less air can enter the system via the mesh, which in turn causes the interior of the vehicle to be warm.
How to Fix
If your Bolt’s condenser unit is filthy, you can simply replace the filter. You can clean the condenser by removing the panel from the car and washing it with a power washer, but be careful not to damage the delicate fins on the condenser.
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Condensers that may be clogged or leaks can cause your Bolt’s air-conditioning to not work correctly. Condenser leaks can cause the system to lose refrigerant and cause it to perform less efficiently. When there are leaks on the electric condenser, they are found by carrying out a search with a gas detector. In order to find out if the loss of refrigerant is caused by a failed condenser or not, a test can easily be carried out using a special tool. If the damage is caused by a failed condenser, replacing the broken part is the only solution.
If you are unsure whether your Bolt’s condenser is in need of replacement, it is best to have a technician inspect it. Also, regular cleaning of the condenser will help to prevent it from becoming clogged and also minimize the chances of it failing.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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