This guide will provide you with all of the information that you need to determine why your driver-side AC is not getting cold.
This is a common issue with many causes and resolutions. This guide can help you determine the cause of your issue and help your resolve them.
Why Is Driver Side AC Not Cold
The following section of this guide will list many common causes and resolutions for driver-side AC issues. You should use this to identify your issue so that you can apply the proper troubleshooting method.
Some common causes are different temperature settings, which could cause inconsistency between cool settings, HVAC control module issues, and mechanical issues. All of these will be detailed in the section below, with paired troubleshooting methods to resolve them.
1. Different Temperature Settings
If your vehicle allows for the temperature settings to be adjusted differently between the two sides of the car, this could be the cause of your issue. Many more modern cars allow for this.
Often, these settings could be set inconsistently with each other, causing the air to not be cold out of one side.
Luckily, this is not an issue that will require repair, but you will need to use the following troubleshooting method to help your resolve this issue.
Fix – Adjust Temperature Settings
You should adjust your temperature settings so that the air is cold on your side as well as the passenger side. You will need to do this to ensure consistency between the air settings on your car. You can check this simply by inspecting the current air settings on your car.
2. HVAC Control Module Needs Resetting
If you have recently disconnected your battery, it is possible that the HVAC Control Module has been interrupted.
This will halt the process that carries out tests to find the blend door actuator’s location. When this happens, inaccurate data will be read, causing the wrong temperature to be used.
You will need to reset your HVAC Control Module using the method listed in the next section.
Fix – Reset HVAC Control Module
To reset your HVAC Control Module, simply disconnect the negative terminal on your battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes have passed, reconnect the battery and turn your vehicle on but do not touch any air controls.
Once you have done this, your problem will likely have been resolved.
3. Faulty Blend Door Actuator
The blend door actuator inside your vehicle could have malfunctioned or become damaged somehow. When this happens, the temperature controls will not work correctly in your vehicle.
A faulty actuator will cause your HVAC control module to not respond to certain commands properly.
This will cause the AC on the driver’s side to not blow cold air properly. You can identify a faulty door actuator by using an advanced scan tool or listening for clicking noise from the dashboard due to broken internal components.
Fix – Replace Actuator
To replace your actuator, follow the steps listed below. The blend door actuator inside your vehicle could have malfunctioned or become damaged somehow.
When this happens, the temperature controls will not work correctly in your vehicle. A faulty actuator will cause your HVAC control module to not respond to certain commands properly.
1. First, remove the glove box of your vehicle.
2. Once you have removed the glove box, remove the temperature door actuator harness.
3. Also, remove the two 7/32-inch bolts from the actuator.
4. Finally, pull off the actuator.
5. Get your new actuator and line it up flush with the shaft.
6. Push the actuator into place and secure it.
7. Insert the 7/32-inch bolts into the actuator.
8. Connect the actuator wiring harness.
9. Test your actuator by changing the temperature controls and watching how the actuator responds.
10. If it is working properly, reinstall the glove box to complete the process.
4. Mechanical Issue With Vent Door
Sometimes you will encounter issues with your AC due to a mechanical issue with the vent door. The vent door can encounter issues getting jammed, stuck, or being controlled by the user.
If this is the case for you, you should use the troubleshooting method listed below to resolve this issue.
Fix – Repair Vent Door
You should repair your vent door yourself or take it somewhere to have it repaired by a mechanic. This will resolve your vent door issues. It will generally not be expensive to have your vent doors repaired or replaced.
You should consider this option if you are having persistent trouble with your vent doors and your AC.
5. Temperature Sensor Not Working
If your temperature sensor is not working properly, this will cause issues controlling the climate of your car’s AC.
When your temperature system is not working, inaccurate information will be collected by your HVAC control module and will cause issues controlling your temperature.
Fix – Replace Temperature Sensor
You should replace the temperature sensor in your vehicle if it is having issues. The process to do this will vary depending on the type of vehicle you have. Once you have located your temperature sensor, you can replace it yourself or inspect it further to figure out the issue.
The process to do this will generally consist of finding the sensor, detaching the battery, and replacing or resetting the sensor. Once you have replaced the temperature sensor, your issue will generally be resolved.
6. Low Coolant Charge
Your coolant might need to be refilled to correct your AC problems. If your coolant is low, this will keep the cold air from being blown out properly. If the engine is not getting the proper amount of refrigerant, this could also affect the cooling features of your vehicle.
Low coolant can also cause other serious problems for your vehicle. These include an increased risk of overheating due to a lack of proper temperature regulation. You should use the troubleshooting method below to resolve this issue.
Fix – Fill Up Coolant
You should fill up the coolant in your vehicle to the proper levels. This will help fix your temperature issues if the low coolant is causing your issue. The method to do this will vary depending on the model of vehicle that you have.
The coolant levels will need to be refilled periodically. You should keep your coolant levels filled up to avoid any issues in the future. You can consult your car’s manual for more information regarding the method to fill up the coolant.
7. Damaged Air Vent
A damaged air vent could keep the air from being dispersed properly. When this happens, you will not be able to get cold air on the driver’s side properly. Damaged air vents could be caused by some type of damage done to it.
If this is the case, you will need to replace the air vent in your vehicle. The method to do this has been detailed in the next section.
Fix – Repair Or Replace Air Vent
Before you start the process of replacing your air vent, you will need to gather a panel removal tool and a replacement air vent. Once you have the proper supplies, follow the steps below:
1. Open the door that is nearest to the air vent you wish to replace.
2. Use the panel removal tools to remove the side cover.
3. Set the side cover aside and continue to the next step.
4. Carefully disconnect the old air vent assembly.
5. Detach the wire from the old air vent assembly.
6. Install the new air vent assembly and reinstall any removed components.
7. Test your AC to see if the issue has been resolved.
8. Cable Issues
The cables associated with your vehicle’s AC system could be causing your issues. Cable issues could also cause your AC to not respond to controls properly.
Cables are an important aspect of your vehicle and should be maintained and checked regularly to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
Fix One: Disconnect Then Reconnect Cables
You should consider disconnecting and reconnecting all of the cables associated with your vehicle’s AC system. This can help resolve any faulty connections that your vehicle might be experiencing.
9. Your Vehicle’s Software Is Malfunctioning
Bugs and glitches are other common causes of AC issues. These types of errors are typically caused by some type of internal run-time issue that the software has encountered.
All software applications are subject to the occasional bug or glitch that causes errors with functionality.
When you encounter bugs and glitches, they quite often resolve themselves. Because of the random nature and ambiguity of the causes of these types of errors, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of your issues.
That being said, persistent issues that are attributed to bugs or glitches can be solved using the troubleshooting methods listed below. All of the methods in this list have been proven to resolve AC issues that are caused by bugs or glitches.
Fix One: Hold Down Mute Button
Pressing and holding down the mute button can help encourage any issues to be resolved. This will cause your software to refresh, which can cause your display issues to fix themselves.
This is one of the easiest ways to resolve your AC issues and should be utilized early in the troubleshooting process to help save you time and frustration while trying to remedy your problem.
Once you have held down the mute button for at least 10 seconds, your infotainment center will begin a soft-refresh process. This will end any erroneous functions that could be causing your black screen issues.
Fix Two: Perform Cycle Key
A cycle key is the best way to fix your software when you are experiencing AC issues. To do this, you will first need to turn your vehicle all the way off. This includes accessory mode and the engine.
If your vehicle does not turn off until you exit the vehicle, you should open and shut your door to simulate this.
Once you have ensured that the vehicle has shut down completely, including all radio functions, you should leave the car off for at least 2 minutes before starting it back up.
After you have done this, you will have successfully key-cycled your vehicle. This is the best way to encourage the resolution of display issues caused by bugs and glitches.
Fix Three: Perform A Soft Reset
A soft reset is another way that you can help encourage your software to resolve any internal issues that could be causing your AC issues.
To perform a soft reset on your vehicle, you will first need to press and hold the Volume button while also pressing and holding the Back button.
You should continue to hold down these buttons until the screen goes black. This will usually take around five seconds. If the screen is already black, simply hold down, these two buttons will automatically start the soft reset process.
After the soft reset process is complete, your AC issues should be resolved.
Fix Four: Perform A Master Reset
If you are experiencing persistent errors with your AC software, you should consider doing a master reset of the system.
The process to do this is extremely simple. All you need to do to perform a master reset of the system is to hold down the Volume knob, Back button, and Nav button for at least ten seconds.
Once you have held down the Volume knob, Back button, and Nav button for ten seconds, you will see the system reset notification on your touchscreen console. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the Master Reset process.
This will perform a complete reformatting and refresh of all of the files associated with your system software. This can usually resolve most issues that you are having with your AC.
You will only be able to perform a master reset of your system while your vehicle is stationary. This is a safety feature that helps keep drivers from editing Bluetooth settings while driving.
Fix Five: Wait For A Few Days
You could simply attempt to wait out your issue. Bugs and glitches usually resolve themselves without any additional action from the user. If you simply wait for a few days, there is a possibility that your issue will resolve itself.
This may not be an ideal solution, but it can save you time and a headache when trying to resolve your issues. If you are able to wait for the problem to resolve itself, then this could be your best option for dealing with bugs and glitches.
Fix Six: Contact the Car Manufacturer
If you are still experiencing problems with your software after resetting and updating your software, you should consider contacting your car’s manufacturer to get additional support for your issue.
They can offer additional troubleshooting methods and suggestions for resolutions to the issue that you are experiencing.
You can contact them by phone or on their website. You can also take your vehicle to the Mazda dealership to have them take a look at your software system.
If you choose to contact your car’s manufacturer, you can do so online, or by phone, then you will need to provide a detailed account of your issue.
A technician will be assigned to your case, and they will help walk you through any potential troubleshooting methods that you may have overlooked. This is often the best course of action when you are having software issues.
Having to take your vehicle in for repairs or dealing with customer support remotely can be frustrating.
Rest assured that your car’s manufacturer is the highest authority on your vehicle and the software that controls the AC software. They can offer you the best advice for resolving your particular issue.
Final Thoughts
Some common causes of driver-side AC issues are different temperature settings, which could cause inconsistency between cool settings, HVAC control module issues, and mechanical issues.
All of these have been detailed in this guide with paired troubleshooting methods to resolve them.
If your vehicle allows for the temperature settings to be adjusted differently between the two sides of the car, this could be the cause of your issue. Many more modern cars allow for this.
Often, these settings could be set inconsistently with each other, causing the air to not be cold out of one side.
A damaged air vent could keep the air from being dispersed properly. When this happens, you will not be able to get cold air on the driver’s side properly. Damaged air vents could be caused by some type of damage done to it.
No matter what the issue, you now have all of the information available to resolve your issue. It is important that you first try to accurately diagnose your issue so that you can apply the proper troubleshooting method.
This will ensure that you can resolve your issues quickly and easily and help you avoid problems in the future. Driver-side AC issues are frustrating, but this guide can help you avoid them.