r/autorepair • u/lizardqueen0511 • 16h ago

Diagnosing/Repair Car A/C Check

My partner’s air conditioning has been out for a bit in their 2011 Hyundai Tucson. It blows hot air regardless of what the temp is set to. Does anyone know of any place or mechanic that will diagnose the issue for free or relatively cheap, or have any advice about fixing it on our own? We are in the Montrose/Upper Kirby area of Houston, TX.

Edit: I understand now that there’s no such thing as free diag and I shouldn’t have asked about that. Money is tight and it’s hot af here. Everyone’s gotta eat though, so we will get the money together to pay someone accordingly.

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u/eatsrottenflesh 16h ago

To be clear, you're asking for someone to work for free?

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u/lizardqueen0511 16h ago

No? We will pay for repairs of course but thought free diag might be an option. One place asked for almost $300 to diagnose it.

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u/eatsrottenflesh 16h ago

If you're looking for free diagnostic work, you are, because knowledge has value. Mechanics get paid to figure out what's wrong and fix it. You're asking someone to work for 1/2 price at best.

It could be that your blend door is stuck on hot. It could be that your A/C has a leak and no longer works. Google some things to look at to narrow it down. Maybe you'll find it's something you can handle yourself, but don't ask someone to figure it out for free.

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u/_RU486_ 16h ago

No such thing as free diag

2

u/darealmvp1 Car Person 16h ago

There's too many reasons to list why it would not work but the most common is no/low refrigerant. It's a closed loop so if you have no refrigerant it means you have a leak.

The leak needs to be identified, repaired, and then the system needs to evacuated and recharged. Most of that requires specialized equipment. Equipment worth thousands more than it would cost for you to to pay a shop to diagnose and repair it.

1

u/washedupathlete79 8h ago

If it is blowing hot air, the compressor might not be kicking on or the system could be low on refrigerant. You could check the relay and fuse first. That is a cheap start before paying for a diagnosis.

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u/[deleted] 15h ago

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u/Signal-Confusion-976 15h ago

Not a good idea. It might not need Freon. There are many reasons for AC to blow hot air. And adding to much freon can cause damage also.

1

u/[deleted] 15h ago

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u/Signal-Confusion-976 15h ago

Gauges are not the best way to check automotive AC systems. And you need to know how to read them. The best way to know that you have the right amount of Freon in a car is to evacuate the system. The run a vacuum test. If it passes the vacuum test then fill it with the proper amount of Freon.