A message that appears on your car dashboard while you are driving reads, “Engine hot AC off.” Nearly every driver is aware of how important an engine is. As a result, a driver might feel anxious and confused when they see the Engine Hot AC Off warning. So you’re contemplating whether to keep driving or stop.
We’ll talk about the Engine hot AC Off problem in this article. You will have the opportunity to learn more about it, the causes of this warning, and the solutions.
What Does Engine Hot AC Off Mean?
A malfunctioning electric cooling fan in the car causes the engine to run hot or overheat, which is indicated by the Engine Hot AC Off warning light. Notably, the leading factor in engine fatalities worldwide is overheating. As a result, whenever your engine overheats, you should act right away.
Aside from functioning normally in the event of a fan failure, the AC consumes a significant amount of energy that the engine may not be able to produce. As a result of the high engine temperatures and to lessen the load on the engine, your air conditioner may shut off. The Engine Hot AC Off warning could be brought on by a cooling system leak, low engine coolant levels, a damaged water pump, or improper component wiring.
You may be interested in Service Engine Soon Light: What Does It Mean?
Can I Still Drive When “Engine Hot AC Off” Is On?
This was a common query from many of you. You shouldn’t drive your car until the problem has been fixed because the Engine Hot AC Off warning appears when the car engine is overheating. You should halt your vehicle once you see the warning light and inspect the engine. Otherwise, unintended incidents might occur.
If you don’t know how to fix them yourself, you should as soon as possible determine the cause and seek the help of skilled mechanics. Once the issues have been resolved, confirm that the AC and engine are both functioning properly. After that, you can keep driving without taking any chances.
What Leads To The Engine Hot AC Off? How To Fix It?
The AC system typically shuts off due to a car overheating. When you experience the phenomenon that a car overheats when the air conditioning is off, we can say that you should be aware of all the causes of an overheating engine. The cooling system and radiator system work together to cool the internal combustion engine of a car.
Additionally, a well-lubricated motor reduces friction and aids in preventing overheating. Car engine overheating is mainly due to problems from the above components:
Coolant Level
The coolant is the primary culprit when an engine overheats. Your engine cools down when it produces heat because coolant is pumped through it. The hot water is then circulated back to the engine after being cooled by the fan and transported to a tank.
The cooling process will be interrupted and the car engine will be too hot compared to normal when the coolant has issues like leaks, blockages, condensation, or the coolant level is too low. Finally, your air conditioning is turned off simultaneously as a result.
How to fix it?
You must add coolant to the coolant reservoir if the levels are low. Before adding more coolant, check the radiator and hose for leaks.
AC Compressor Stopped Working
Without the compressor, the air conditioning system would not be able to operate. This component’s job is to change the refrigerant gas into a liquid as it moves through the condenser.
Naturally, your AC vent won’t blow cold air into the car if the AC compressor fails. Additionally, it no longer circulates refrigerant in your air conditioning system. As the temperature changes, you’ll notice that your car is making odd noises.
How to fix it?
- Check the oil leaks as well as the other damages
- Find out the temperature fluctuations
- Check whether it can be rotated independently or not
- If found any skipping and squealing noise
- Check whether refrigerant leaks happen or not
The compressor is deemed to be a defective AC compressor after discovering these symptoms. To make the AC work properly, you must then replace the compressor.
Fail Radiator Fan
The cooling system will release the heat produced by the engine’s operation into the surrounding air. Hot air in the engine compartment cannot escape due to a problem with the cooling fan, which raises the engine temperature.
How to fix it?
- Find the cooling fan and the radiator. It might be on the radiator’s front or back side.
- Detach the 4 bolts
- Disconnect the wired connection
- Pull the cooling fan smoothly
- Wipe the fan in order to remove dirt stuck on the blades
- Clean each corner and small parts of the fan
- Test it at 12V of electricity either it working or not
- Reconnect the fan with a wired connection
Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT) Error
The engine coolant temperature sensor, also known as the coolant temperature sensor or the ECT sensor, is another name for it. The coolant mixture temperature is determined by this sensor, which also sends a signal to the ECU.
The ECU then modifies the fuel injection timing, controls the radiator fan’s operation, etc. to help the engine operate at the right temperature. The engine overheats when this sensor malfunctions, causing the cooling fan to run improperly and not cool the coolant.
How to fix it?
The coolant temperature sensor and thermostat can both be changed to resolve the issue. You must make a quick repair because the temperature fluctuates erratically.
To replace the coolant temperature sensor, you can follow the following steps:
- Buy a new coolant temperature sensor and remove the defective one
- Disconnect it from the electrical connector
- Put the new one and connect it to the electric connector
Again to replace the thermostat, simply go through the following step-
- Figure out the thermostat
- Remove the hose and clamp
- Remove the old one and disconnect the bolts
- Setup the new thermostat connecting with the bolts
- Reset the clamp and hose
Blown Head Gasket
The most typical sign that the head gasket in your car is damaged is that the engine frequently overheats. Your engine will have to work harder to produce power if your head pad is broken. Furthermore, blown head gaskets can result in coolant leaks, decreased engine cooling system effectiveness, and worsening overheating in your car.
Additionally, problems with the cooling system, such as a broken water pump, an oil pump that is damaged, or a hot environment, can contribute to engine overheating. when the vehicle is overloaded or not properly covered.
How to fix it?
You must swap out the damaged gasket for a new one. If you fix it, the issue will eventually disappear. Furthermore, it is better to buy a new head gasket than to try to fix the old one.
Tips To Prevent AC Off Due To High Engine Temp
We will share with you some short tips to prevent the warning sign “Engine hot AC off”:
Schedule Regular Maintenance Services
To keep operating at their peak, cars require routine maintenance. Tire inspections, air filter replacements, and engine oil changes are all part of routine maintenance.
Your coolant needs to be replaced because, like any other fluid, it loses quality over time. As a result, performing coolant flushes and changes is crucial for the health of your engine.
Checking the radiator cap is another wise maintenance move. Pressure in your cooling system must be kept constant thanks to the radiator. Small leaks caused by a loose cap lower the system’s pressure. The engine could eventually overheat as a result of this.
Pay Attention To The Temperature Gauge
You can read and comprehend the engine temperature conditions thanks to the temperature gauge on your car. Check your gauge frequently to make sure the temperatures in your engine are kept well within the acceptable range. Contact a qualified mechanic if they continue to rise.
Do Not Leave Your Car In The Sun For Extended Periods
If you’ve ever spent time inside a car on a hot summer day, you likely have a good understanding of how the sun’s heat affects a closed environment. A hot environment’s impact on an engine could lead to overheating.
Drive With Extra Coolant
It’s always a good idea to keep the extra coolant in your car. You can restock your reservoir in case of an emergency.
Use A Diagnostic Scan Tool To Determine Temperature Sensor Issues
Under the dashboard of your car, the scan tool connects. Your engine’s temperatures may be revealed by it. You can tell whether your temperature sensor is working properly if the scanner pops a code.
Conclusion
An Engine Hot AC Off warning could be the first sign of a serious issue. You must not be careless because of this. Pull over safely if your car displays an Engine Hot AC Off warning. Finding the root of the issue will make fixing it simple. But this is among the most frequent issues with cars. During a lengthy journey, trouble will arise. Then you must use do-it-yourself methods to repair it.
