Reasons For Dodge Ram AC Working Intermittently – Tips to Fix
It’s hot and out of the blue, your Dodge Ram AC starts working intermittently. What a nuisance isn’t it? Well, the issues in the AC can occur in any model of the Dodge Ram ranging from the years 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2012. This is because low refrigerant levels and component damage such as non-working compressors are the main culprits behind it.
Since AC problems are a common issue, they can be fixed easily by visiting a professional for complex issues like component replacement, or you can fix it yourself if it’s an easy job like refilling the refrigerant. Let’s have a look at the reasons and fixing measures for a faulty Dodge Ram AC in detail.
6 Reasons Why Dodge Ram AC Working Intermittently?
1. Low Refrigerant Level
The refrigerant’s role in the air conditioning system of your Dodge Ram is to act as a cooling agent. It moves along air conditioner components absorbing heat. It carries out this process by transforming from gas with low pressure to a liquid with high pressure. However, when the refrigerant levels fall low, the cooling in the air conditioning system of your Dodge Ram is drastically affected because the main heat absorber is lost. This is why your AC is working intermittently.
The symptoms of a low refrigerant include weak airflow, lukewarm air arising from the AC vent, The compressor not working, and observable leak by oil coming out from the damaged AC component.
2. Faulty Compressor
The compressor functions in the AC system by compressing and pushing the cool air vapors around the air conditioning unit. This helps in moving the heat toward the condenser instead of the air. When the compressor is faulty, the air is not compressed which makes it tough for it to move around since it is not pressurized enough, directly impacting the AC cooling and causing the AC to work intermittently in your Dodge Ram. Secondly, the heat is not being removed from the air which causes warm air to blow out from the AC vents.
The symptoms of a faulty compressor include no cold air coming out from AC vents, unusual noises heard from the compressor, oil accumulation observed below the truck, and the compressor failing to turn on.
3. Electrical Issues
The electrical issues in the air conditioning system of your Dodge Ram also play a huge role in its irregular functioning. The major electrical issue is caused by defective wires. Wires are fragile and susceptible to wear out. When used for a long time or long durations, they can corrode and break. Sometimes, other damaged parts of the AC system collide with the wires and loosen them up. Relays and sensors are other parts that cause electrical issues in the AC system. These are also major components of the electrical system as relays are electrically operated switches that control the flow of power to various components in the AC system, and sensors monitor various parameters such as temperature, pressure, and humidity to ensure optimal AC operation. When these are faulty, the power flow is obstructed and the AC temperature is not controlled causing either no air or warm air to flow out the AC vents.
The symptoms of electrical issues include intermittent cooling, AC not turning on, blower motor malfunction, unexplained noises, or a burning smell.
4. Clogged Cabin Air Filter:
A cabin air filter is another reason your Dodge Ram air conditioning system works intermittently. This is because a clogged air filter restricts the airflow causing less air to be released through the AC vents. This also reduces cooling efficiency as a lack of air automatically decreases the cooling effect in the passenger cabin of the truck.
The symptoms of a clogged cabin air filter include a sudden decrease in air production through the AC vent, subsequently leading to a decrease in the cooling impact of the air conditioning system. You will also notice that the cabin is dusty with a weird smell coming out from the vent. Sometimes, the ventilation system will also be noisy, and defrosting problems will be observed.
5. Evaporator Icing:
Sometimes the icing in the evaporator of the AC system can cause Dodge Ram air-conditioning problems. This is because the evaporator’s job is to allow airflow through the AC system but a frozen evaporator restricts the airflow, reducing the truck’s cooling performance. Blocked vents, issues with the thermostat, or low refrigerant levels can cause a frozen evaporator.
Symptoms of evaporator icing include reduced cooling performance, visible ice on the evaporator coil, unusual smells, and water leaks inside the Dodge cabin.
6. Blower Motor Issues:
The Dodge Ram’s air conditioning system uses a blower motor to force cold air out of the AC vents. The AC may operate sporadically if the blower motor is not operating properly because the air coming out of the blower motor will be reduced. Even if some air does manage to come out, chances are that it won’t be cool enough as required.
Symptoms of a blower motor issue include a decrease in air coming out of the AC vents, constantly changing temperatures of the produced air, disturbing noises, and unwanted smells arising from the AC system.
Can weather conditions affect my Dodge RAM’s AC Problems?
When we discuss the effect of weather conditions on the Dodge Ram’s AC, know that not all weather conditions negatively impact the air conditioning system. It is mainly the hot and humid weather conditions that lead to unfavorable outcomes regarding your AC. During high temperatures, the AC is made to work for long hours while being under constant strain. This causes the AC components such as the wiring, refrigerant, or compressor to lose efficiency. It also causes the air filter to become clogged due to constant use. The same goes for humid weather conditions. Moreover, humidity even causes AC components to rust, leading to corrosion and leakage. Fortunately, low temperatures don’t pose any significant threats to the air conditioning system.
How to Fix the Dodge Ram AC Working Intermittently?
If your Dodge Ram AC is working intermittently, it can become a nuisance due to noise, smell, or lack of efficiency of the air-conditioning system in hot weather. For this reason, you look forward to a quick fixing of the AC system. There are two ways to do this, one is the professional solution and the other is the DIY solution.
Professional Solutions
Finding and Fixing System Leaks
When any Dodge Ram AC system component is defective, it starts leaking. This leads to the release of refrigerant out of the AC system. The refrigerant is the main cooling element and the lack of this constituent excretes out warm air from the AC vents. Hence, fixing the leaking part should be your priority. Since it is a tough procedure that may require complex tools, you need to visit a professional who will diagnose the leaking component and replace it for you skillfully. He will also refill the AC system with refrigerant.
Changing a Faulty AC Compressor
Like the refrigerant, the compressor is also majorly involved in cool air production by the AC system of the Dodge Ram. However, if the AC compressor is faulty, replacing it is the only way to ensure the proper working of the AC system. The replacement of a component is not an easy job, hence, you need a professional to carry it out effectively.
Fixing Electrical Problems
The wiring of the air-conditioning system is fragile and complex. When there is a defect in it, let’s say the wires are broken or loose, getting professional help is advisable. This is because if you try to fix it yourself, you may end up securing them in the wrong positions, or you may not own appropriate tools for this purpose. If you fail to connect the wires correctly, it could further damage your Dodge Ram’s AC system. Therefore, do yourself a favor and visit your dealer when such issues arise in your AC system.
DIY Solutions
Preventive Measures: Keeping Your Dodge RAM AC Running Smoothly
It’s vital to avoid future AC problems in your Dodge Ram to guarantee that the mechanism of your air conditioning system operates properly whenever it’s required. Following are a few pointers to maintain precise AC operation and prevent any problems.
Routine Checkups
Getting your Dodge Ram’s routine maintenance checkup by a professional will help prevent AC problems. This is because any rusty components, a decrease in refrigerant levels, or a clogged air filter will quickly come to your knowledge so that you can repair or replace the faulty elements before they cause further AC damage. This prevents a bigger issue such as distracting noises, burning smell, or damage to the wiring.
Regular Cabin Service
When you regularly clean your Dodge Ram cabin, it decreases the dust particles in it, consequently lowering the dust entering the AC system. Less dust means less accumulation on the air filter, hence, the air filter stays clean. This decreases its chances of frequent replacement requirements.
Avoid Long Periods of AC inactivity
When the AC is not run for a long time, it gives rise to issues in its compressor and also increases the chances of leaks in the AC system of your truck. For this reason, no matter how cold the temperature is, make sure you turn your AC on from time to time, most recommended once a week. This keeps the system in working condition and prevents it from running dry.
Refrain From Stressing Out the AC
When you use your Dodge Ram air-conditioning system excessively, the chances of its deterioration increase. The wiring becomes worn out along with other AC components such as the compressor. Therefore, when you are on a long drive, make sure to turn the AC off to give it breaks. Constantly running it can cause the components to work under stress and lose their efficiency.
Utilize a Premium Refrigerant
The refrigerant is the main character in the running of the air-conditioning system in the Dodge Ram. To avoid air-conditioning problems, using a premium quality refrigerant is crucial. A good quality refrigerant is capable of running in the AC system for long periods, keeping the system operating efficiently. Low-quality refrigerants can negatively impact the air-conditioning system causing it more harm than good.
Also Read:
Wrap Up
In conclusion, the Dodge Ram AC system works intermittently because of reasons like a decrease in the refrigerant level, a faulty compressor, a frozen evaporator, and problems in the wiring, blower motor, and air filter. To solve these issues, mostly a defective component replacement is required but sometimes you can get away with cheaper options like refilling the refrigerant or tightening the loose wires. However, instead of wasting dollars on solving the problems, it is better to prevent them by keeping the Dodge cabin clean, having routine maintenance checkups, and avoiding AC running for long durations at a time.
