Car AC Smells Bad or Blows Warm Air? Causes and Fixes
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
These are the two most common issues we see when it comes to ac repair on cars, and both usually point to problems that are fixable—if you catch them early.
Common Problem #1: Car AC Not Cold
You turn on your air con expecting instant relief—but instead, it’s blowing warm or only slightly cool air. This is one of the most common signs your system needs attention.
Possible causes include:
Low refrigerant (gas) from a slow leak
Faulty compressor or clutch
Blocked or leaking condenser
Faulty pressure switches or fans
The good news? These issues are usually easy to diagnose and fix with a proper car air conditioning service. In most cases, you’ll need a car aircon regas and a quick leak test to get things running cold again.
Common Problem #2: Car AC Smells Bad
If you’ve ever turned on the heater or AC and noticed a musty or sour smell, you’re likely dealing with a build-up of bacteria, mould or mildew in the system—especially around the evaporator.
What causes this?
Moisture builds up and doesn’t fully dry out
Broken or fatigued anti-roll bars
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore These Signs
When caught early, most car AC issues are fast and affordable to fix. But if ignored, they can cause:
Permanent compressor damage
Costly refrigerant loss
Bad smells that stick to upholstery
Reduced fuel efficiency from overworking the system
At VP Auto Care, we handle all aspects of car AC repair Melbourne drivers can trust—from diagnostics to regassing and cleaning.
Whether your car AC smells bad or just isn’t cold enough, don’t wait until it gets worse. Our team will run a full inspection, recommend the right service, and get you back to driving comfortably—without the guesswork.
Looking to fix car AC near me? Book a car air conditioning service with VP Auto Care today and enjoy fresher, colder air in every drive.